Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA5990
2006-10-17 13:51:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS TU LE SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1680
OO RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHAK #5990 2901351
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 171351Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9454
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0854
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0482
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 0331
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0345
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1595
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0227
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0619
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 1474
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 0078
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
S E C R E T ANKARA 005990 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS TU LE SY
SUBJECT: PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT

REF: STATE 172274

Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson - Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

S E C R E T ANKARA 005990

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS TU LE SY
SUBJECT: PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT

REF: STATE 172274

Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson - Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (S/NF) Ambassador reviewed U.S. concerns about Syrian
plans to undermine the Siniora government with Turkish PM/FM
foreign policy advisor Davutoglu on October 17. He reminded
Davutoglu of the exchange about Syria and Lebanon during PM
Erdogan's meeting with the President on October 2. The two
leaders had strongly agreed on the importance of supporting
the Siniora government, and the President had pointed to
Lebanon as a test case where Asad could show his real
intentions. In conveying reftel talking points, Ambassador
urged that Turkey use its contacts with Damascus strongly to
discourage actions that will weaken Siniora, further
destabilize Lebanon, and further isolate Syria, from which
bad consequences will flow.


2. (S/NF) Davutoglu expressed some alarm about these
reported Syrian intentions, but indicated Turkey will see
what it can do. He had a similar conversation a few days
earlier with the German chancellor's national security
advisor, Christoph Heusgen, though it was more directed at
using Turkish influence to secure the establishment of full
diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon. The German
reportedly suggested a joint approach to Damascus, and Turkey
is considering this. Davutoglu also noted that he had spoken
by telephone a few hours earlier with Siniora foreign affairs
advisor Mohammad Chatah, who had not mentioned anything like
what the U.S. information reported. Davutoglu concluded by
indicating that Turkey will do what it can to warn off the
Syrians and expressed interest in further information that
might be helpful.


3. (S/NF) COMMENT: If Siniora has any information along the
lines described in reftel, it would be helpful for him or
Chatah also to take up their concerns with Ankara to
underscore their seriousness and perhaps further engender
Turkish action. Ambassador will check back with Davutoglu in
coming days to see what further Turkey may have in the works.


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

WILSON