TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLAINS TO IRAN;

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000443 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016 TAGS: PREL MNUC KPAL IR IS TU SUBJECT: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLAINS TO IRAN; COMMENT ON HAMAS REF: ANKARA 7098 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (s) Ambassador was convoked February 3 by FM U/S Tuygan to be briefed on a call FM Gul made to Iranian FM Mottaki the day before to urge Iran to turn away from confrontation with the IAEA. Reading from the foreign ministry,s memcon, Tuygan said that Gul: -- Referred to earlier conversations about the status of Iran,s nuclear programs, in which Mottaki had stated clearly that Iran would not proceed with fuel enrichment or other activities that would run counter to Iran,s international obligations -- Said that he now has information from the IAEA contradicting Iran,s statements; the international community,s concern on the issue has reached a &new dimension.8 -- Noted that the UNSC Perm-5 have now agreed that the issue should be taken up in the Security Council; the potential crisis in the region Turkey and Iran had discussed earlier, and that Turkey had hoped to avoid, has now turned to reality. -- Urged Iran not to overreact to IAEA referral of the matter to the UNSC and to leave the door open for diplomacy. In particular, Iran should suspend all research and development activities of concern to the IAEA and express a willingness to discuss all issues related to ending its nuclear programs. This would pave the way for progress and to avoid a further aggravation of the crisis. ¶2. (s) Tuygan said Mottaki,s reply was perfunctory and not taken seriously by Turkey. Mottaki reported claimed that Iran,s research activities do not include fuel enrichment. He complained that foreign powers are attempting to humiliate Iran and cited Iran,s many efforts to resolve matters with the EU-3. He complained about the specific wording of the IAEA draft resolution and asked for Turkey,s help in getting it changed. Tuygan said that Gul declined this bait, made clear Turkey will not get involved in the resolution,s wording and has decided that Turkey will henceforth fully support all efforts and statements by the EU on the Iran nuclear issue. ¶3. (c) Ambassador expressed appreciation for the information and for FM Gul,s efforts. He urged that Turkey, in all of its public statements on the issue, make clear it fully supports the EU and US efforts, to say nothing of the international consensus, on the Iran nuclear issue and unequivocally call upon Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons efforts and to cooperate fully and transparently with the IAEA. -------------- Hamas -------------- ¶4. (c) Ambassador took the opportunity to urge further GOT statements on Hamas. He said that we have heard about PM Erdogan,s remarks in Davos that Hamas should renounce terrorism, disarm the militias and recognize Israel,s right to exist, but that these remarks had not been widely reported in the media. Other statements by Erdogan, Gul and other spokesmen that have gained more attention have focused more on dialogue and patience and omitted a clear call to Hamas to renounce violence. This contrasted unfavorably with Egypt, among others, and would not be helpful to MEPP diplomacy or to Turkey,s image in the US at a time when we were trying to rebuild what has been a troubled relationship. Tuygan said that the Foreign Ministry would look for an opportunity in coming days to make a clearer statement more in line with what the Quartet and Egypt have said, which comports completely with Turkey,s position on the substance. WILSON