Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA3733
2006-06-26 15:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKISH MFA READOUT ON FM GUL VISIT TO TEHRAN

Tags:  PREL KNUC IR TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003733 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2021
TAGS: PREL KNUC IR TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA READOUT ON FM GUL VISIT TO TEHRAN


Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003733

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2021
TAGS: PREL KNUC IR TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA READOUT ON FM GUL VISIT TO TEHRAN


Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary: MFA U/S Akgunay gave us a detailed readout
on Foreign Minister Gul's June 25 visit to Tehran. After
five extended meetings, the Turks concluded that debate on
the way forward is continuing. Akgunay said National
Security Council Secretary General Ali Larijani indicated he
will come to the talks with EU Political Directors and Solana
on June 28 with a signal that a positive response to the P5-1
package would be forthcoming. However, GOI concerns about
"what happens after" suspension of nuclear enrichment
indicate Larijani may also come with additional demands. End
Summary.

--------------
Schedule
--------------


2. (C) Akgunay said they left for Tehran on Saturday night
and held meetings on Sunday, June 25 from 10:30 to 19:00.
Gul met first with FM Mottaki, who hosted a working luncheon.
He then met with Speaker of Parliament Adel, NSC Secretary
General Larijani, President Ahmadinejad, former President
Rafsanjani and then Larijani again at the end of the day for
more than one hour. They did not meet with Supreme Leader
Khamanei. Akgunay characterized the meetings as "intense."

--------------
The Message
--------------


3. (C) Akgunay described Gul's message as substantial and
strong in character. Gul emphasized that time was running
out; the P5-1 needed a response as soon as possible. The
package is not an offer of one country; it is the consensus
proposal of the strongly united P5-1. Gul stressed that the
language in the package uses the term "we," not P5-1 or EU-3.
The package was prepared in good faith and after long
negotiations. It has balance. Iran should not assume it can
divide the P5-1 - they must respond to the six parties as a
whole. If Iran responds quickly and positively, Iranians,
the region and the whole world will benefit.


4. (C) Akgunay said Larijani asked if the Turkish government
knew the contents of the package. Gul said he did not. But
he does understand that the package contains important
scientific and technical gains for Iran. He also stressed
the historical importance of this proposal. It would be the
first time in 27 years the U.S. will talk to Iran directly.

It could be the end of Iran's isolation in the global sense.
The results of a yes response will positively affect the
entire Iranian society.


5. (C) Gul encouraged the GOI to see suspension of nuclear
enrichment as part of a mutual suspension by both sides and
not a pre-condition - if Iran stops enrichment, the P5-1 will
stop seeking UN Security Council action. Mutual suspension
is a good deal.


6. (C) On timing, Gul said the P5-1 showed good will by not
including a deadline but he cautioned the Iranians not to
misread its exclusion. The P5-1 expects a response before
the G-8 summit. Iran will lose support of countries
advocating a diplomatic solution if Iran's answer is not
positive.

--------------
FM Mottaki
--------------


7. (C) FM Mottaki told Gul Iran will answer and probably
positively. Iran would like to respond positively and use the
positive atmosphere. However, Mottaki said in the past when
Iran has stopped energy activities for three years, nothing
happened.


ANKARA 00003733 002 OF 002


--------------
Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani Downbeat
--------------


8. (C) Former President and State Reconciliation Council
head Rafsanjani was quite negative to Gul. Rafsanjani said
the P5-1 package contained nothing new. Gul's take on
Rafsanjani's attitude was that he is out of power and there
is no benefit to him personally to support the package.
Ahmadinejad was also quite negative in tone, noting his
belief that the Americans could not be trusted.

--------------
Larijani Meeting More Positive
--------------


9. (C) Akgunay characterized the final one-hour one-on-one
meeting with Larijani as more positive. FM Gul was more
frank than normal for a diplomatic discussion. Larijani said
he will go to the EU meeting on June 28 with a clear
indication that Iran would accept the package, but Iran is
not willing to give a full yes at this point. Larijani is
aware that the package has new elements, that a lot of work
went into the package, and that Secretary Rice worked
personally on it.


10. (C) Gul encouraged Iran to start negotiations immediately
and to clarify the issues in that context. Larijani said
Iran has an important question - if Iran stops enrichment,
what will happen the next day? What happens if the P5-1 do
not keep their end of the deal? Larijani said Iran wants to
see a guarantee mechanism or to know exactly how negotiations
will work before Iran gives a full yes to the package. If
Iran suspends nuclear enrichment activities, it would lose
data and know-how. Therefore, Iran wants some sort of
assurance that the negotiations will not go on forever
without result.


11. (C) Larijani told Gul he will go to the Solana meeting
with a positive signal and with full powers to make
decisions. The June 28 meeting involves the EU political
directors, however, who cannot make decisions on their own.
The United States will not be there. Larijani said the other
side must meet with him with full powers to decide.


12. (C) Larijani also told Gul the Iranians lacked confidence
in the United States and its promise of direct talks. The
last time the U.S. asked for direct talks regarding Iraq,
Iran agreed, suffered strong public negative reaction and
then the U.S. changed its mind.


13. (C) Akgunay said it is definitely the Turkish
government's impression that everyone but former President
Rafsanjani is seeking a way out. However, they must be very
careful in their approach; they cannot upset the Iranian
establishment.


14. (C) Asked to characterize the results of the visit,
Akgunay said there is an intense debate underway between the
various power centers in Tehran. However, the Turks came
away from Gul's visit with a feeling Iran is looking for a
way out.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON