Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6563
2006-12-01 16:11:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKS CONVEY USG CONCERNS TO SARG, BUT STILL
how-toVZCZCXRO4134 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHAK #6563/01 3351611 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 011611Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0154 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0864 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0495 RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 0347 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0356 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1609 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0236 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0259 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0625 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 0082
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006563
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKS CONVEY USG CONCERNS TO SARG, BUT STILL
DIFFER ON DEALING WITH DAMASCUS
REF: A. STATE 193090
B. ANKARA 6546
C. ANKARA 6392
D. ANKARA 6490 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006563
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKS CONVEY USG CONCERNS TO SARG, BUT STILL
DIFFER ON DEALING WITH DAMASCUS
REF: A. STATE 193090
B. ANKARA 6546
C. ANKARA 6392
D. ANKARA 6490 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: We further discussed U.S. concerns related
to Syrian efforts to destabilize Lebanese Prime Minister
Siniora's government December 1 with MFA officials and
received a read-out of Deputy PM Sener's November 29 meeting
with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to MFA,
Sener raised U.S. and Turkish concerns and Assad responded
predictably denying the SARG intends to destabilize Lebanon.
We underlined the need to stiffen the Turkish line and to
maintain concerted pressure on Syria if we are to avoid
further bloodshed in Lebanon. END SUMMARY
2. (S) DCM further discussed ref a points with Turkish MFA
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Middle East Affairs Bozkurt
Aran December 1, following her November 30 conversation with
outgoing MFA Deputy Under Secretary Uzumcu (ref b). Aran
called DCM in to provide a read-out of Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullatif Sener's November 29 meeting with Syrian
President al-Assad, indicating that Sener had conveyed
messages of concern regarding Syria's role in destabilizing
Lebanese PM Siniora's government.
3. (S) Aran said Deputy PM Sener had made clear to Assad PM
Erdogan's high level of concern about events in Lebanon,
noting that Erdogan believes it is a mistake for Hizballah
ministers to have left PM Siniora's coalition government
because it threatens Lebanon's stability, and to indicate
that there is a very negative perception of Syria in the
United States that the SARG needs to address.
4. (S) Aran reported that Assad responded to Sener by saying
that Syria is not opposed to PM Siniora being prime minister,
but that Siniora is also not the only alternative. Assad
lamented the "misunderstandings" in the international
community and in international organizations about Syria's
adherence to UNSC Resolution 1701. "Syria cannot alienate
its friends in Lebanon," Assad reportedly told Sener.
5. (S) Assad went on to say that "Syria can't be expected to
support the current Lebanese government given the increasing
sectarian divide there" (implying Siniora's government does
not adequately reflect the political will of all of Lebanon's
people). Assad added that the West wants to see Siniora stay
in power but, if so, it should insist upon a government of
national unity to ensure stability. Assad concluded that
Syria "sacrificed much for Lebanon" and does not want to see
it degenerate into sectarian-based civil strife.
6. (S) DCM expressed gratitude for the GOT's willingness to
raise the issue with the SARG, but noted the need for the
Turks to press harder and with a greater sense of urgency.
As Syria is behind the assassinations of former PM Hariri and
Minister Gemayel, the SARG is using Hizballah to launch a
campaign aimed at destabilizing PM Siniora's government, the
SARG is helping to arm Hizballah, and (should the current
situation continue) Lebanon is destined to degenerate once
again into sectarian bloodshed, DCM stressed the need for the
GOT to take a more definitive stand in demanding positive
Syrian action.
7. (S) Aran responded that while the GOT does share our
concerns about the situation in Lebanon, it differs on how to
deal with Damascus, adding that, "together with the Europeans
we believe a different approach is needed." DCM underlined
the need for the international community to remain united in
opposing Syrian interference in Lebanon, noting that the SARG
has only responded under pressure from a concerted
international community effort.
8. (S) COMMENT: Uzumcu's departure as Under Secretary has
left Aran -- one of the MFA's weakest players -- in charge of
Middle East issues at a difficult moment. Ambassador will
raise our concerns with PM Advisor Davutoglu on December 2 to
help ensure the right message is conveyed on this and other
issues while Erdogan is in Tehran.
ANKARA 00006563 002 OF 002
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKS CONVEY USG CONCERNS TO SARG, BUT STILL
DIFFER ON DEALING WITH DAMASCUS
REF: A. STATE 193090
B. ANKARA 6546
C. ANKARA 6392
D. ANKARA 6490 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (S) SUMMARY: We further discussed U.S. concerns related
to Syrian efforts to destabilize Lebanese Prime Minister
Siniora's government December 1 with MFA officials and
received a read-out of Deputy PM Sener's November 29 meeting
with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to MFA,
Sener raised U.S. and Turkish concerns and Assad responded
predictably denying the SARG intends to destabilize Lebanon.
We underlined the need to stiffen the Turkish line and to
maintain concerted pressure on Syria if we are to avoid
further bloodshed in Lebanon. END SUMMARY
2. (S) DCM further discussed ref a points with Turkish MFA
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Middle East Affairs Bozkurt
Aran December 1, following her November 30 conversation with
outgoing MFA Deputy Under Secretary Uzumcu (ref b). Aran
called DCM in to provide a read-out of Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullatif Sener's November 29 meeting with Syrian
President al-Assad, indicating that Sener had conveyed
messages of concern regarding Syria's role in destabilizing
Lebanese PM Siniora's government.
3. (S) Aran said Deputy PM Sener had made clear to Assad PM
Erdogan's high level of concern about events in Lebanon,
noting that Erdogan believes it is a mistake for Hizballah
ministers to have left PM Siniora's coalition government
because it threatens Lebanon's stability, and to indicate
that there is a very negative perception of Syria in the
United States that the SARG needs to address.
4. (S) Aran reported that Assad responded to Sener by saying
that Syria is not opposed to PM Siniora being prime minister,
but that Siniora is also not the only alternative. Assad
lamented the "misunderstandings" in the international
community and in international organizations about Syria's
adherence to UNSC Resolution 1701. "Syria cannot alienate
its friends in Lebanon," Assad reportedly told Sener.
5. (S) Assad went on to say that "Syria can't be expected to
support the current Lebanese government given the increasing
sectarian divide there" (implying Siniora's government does
not adequately reflect the political will of all of Lebanon's
people). Assad added that the West wants to see Siniora stay
in power but, if so, it should insist upon a government of
national unity to ensure stability. Assad concluded that
Syria "sacrificed much for Lebanon" and does not want to see
it degenerate into sectarian-based civil strife.
6. (S) DCM expressed gratitude for the GOT's willingness to
raise the issue with the SARG, but noted the need for the
Turks to press harder and with a greater sense of urgency.
As Syria is behind the assassinations of former PM Hariri and
Minister Gemayel, the SARG is using Hizballah to launch a
campaign aimed at destabilizing PM Siniora's government, the
SARG is helping to arm Hizballah, and (should the current
situation continue) Lebanon is destined to degenerate once
again into sectarian bloodshed, DCM stressed the need for the
GOT to take a more definitive stand in demanding positive
Syrian action.
7. (S) Aran responded that while the GOT does share our
concerns about the situation in Lebanon, it differs on how to
deal with Damascus, adding that, "together with the Europeans
we believe a different approach is needed." DCM underlined
the need for the international community to remain united in
opposing Syrian interference in Lebanon, noting that the SARG
has only responded under pressure from a concerted
international community effort.
8. (S) COMMENT: Uzumcu's departure as Under Secretary has
left Aran -- one of the MFA's weakest players -- in charge of
Middle East issues at a difficult moment. Ambassador will
raise our concerns with PM Advisor Davutoglu on December 2 to
help ensure the right message is conveyed on this and other
issues while Erdogan is in Tehran.
ANKARA 00006563 002 OF 002
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON