ISRAELI FM LIVNI DISCUSSES IRAN AND MIDDLE EAST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003235 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2021 TAGS: PREL IS TU IR SUBJECT: ISRAELI FM LIVNI DISCUSSES IRAN AND MIDDLE EAST PEACE WITH TURKISH LEADERS Classified by Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Iran and Middle East peace were the main topics of Israeli FM Livni's first visit to Turkey on May 29. Livni met with PM Erdogan FM Gul, President Sezer and NSC SecGen Alpogan. Although Turkish media emphasized the differences between Turkish and Israeli views on Middle East peace, both MFA Middle East Department Head Onal and Israeli Counselor Bar-li Sa'ar told us the chemistry of the visit was good and emphasized the continuation of Turkish-Israel dialogue in President Sezer's upcoming visit to Israel and PM Olmert's contemplated visit to Turkey. End Summary. Iran -------------- ¶2. (C) According to the MFA, Iran was the main subject of Livni's one-on-one meeting with Gul and her meeting with NSC SecGen Alpogan. Iran did not come up in Livni's meeting with Erdogan and only came up in passing in her meeting with President Sezer. ¶3. (C) Alpogan briefed Livni on Turkish contacts with Iran and Russia, claiming he delivered a tough message to Iranian nuclear negotiator Larijani when the two met in May. Alpogan said Turkey believes Iran is already working on the P-2 centrifuge and has reached a high enrichment percentage. He said he told Larijani that, and that Larijani replied that less than 20 percent enrichment was unimportant. Alpogan told Livni that although Ahmadinejad has more power than his predecessor, nationalism, not religion, is driving Iran's nuclear policy. ¶4. (C) Livni urged the GOT to avoid high-level contacts with Iran. With Alpogan, she emphasized the international consensus on the Iranian nuclear issue and said Israel wants a diplomatic solution, but will not make any concessions that sacrifice Israeli interests. Livni did not ask, nor did Alpogan volunteer, what steps Turkey would be prepared to agree to in the event of continued Iranian intransigence. Middle East Peace -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Livni explained current Israeli policy toward the Palestinians in all her meetings and expressed a desire for a negotiated settlement, but doubted that Abbas could deliver with Hamas in power. Alpogan replied that Hamas should recognize Israel, renounce violence, support the Road Map and honor prior PA commitments, but that Israel should delay any border demarcation. Sezer expressed concern about the Palestinians' humanitarian situation and urged Livni to find ways to strengthen Abbas's hand. According to Bar-li Sa'ar, in his one-on-one with Livni, FM Gul said Israel had put the Hamas visit behind it, complaining, "why can't the U.S.?" ¶6. (C) PM Erdogan told Livni he hoped PM Olmert would visit Turkey as soon as possible. (Note: Although there are no firm dates yet, Bar-li Sa'ar thinks the visit will be in August. End note.) The PM also urged Israel to help strengthen Abbas. He called the Gaza disengagement "a great achievement" and hoped the parties would return to the Road Map. Erdogan expressed sorrow for Israeli victims of suicide bombings but noted that Israeli retaliation also resulted in civilian deaths. According to Bar-li Sa'ar, Livni "went after" Erdogan on this point, launching into a detailed explanation of the difference between soldiers and terrorists. ¶7. (C) Erdogan later raised Hamas, saying Turkey had taken steps with good intentions and gave Hamas tough messages, but that the will of the Palestinian people had to be respected. He implied Israel should have prevented Hamas from running and said he believed Hamas was softening its position. ANKARA 00003235 002 OF 002 ¶8. (C) According to Bar-li Sa'ar, this prompted an emotional response from Livni, who did not relent until an obviously uncomfortable Erdogan agreed that Turkey would continue to pressure Hamas. Livni ended by saying that divergent Turkish and Israeli views on Middle East peace should not affect bilateral relations. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON