Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6722
2006-12-21 15:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: PM ERDOGAN TO VISIT LEBANON IN THE NEXT
how-toVZCZCXRO1483 PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #6722 3551540 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211540Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0390 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006722
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: PM ERDOGAN TO VISIT LEBANON IN THE NEXT
TEN DAYS
REF: A. ANKARA 6617
B. ANKARA 6574
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner - Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006722
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: PM ERDOGAN TO VISIT LEBANON IN THE NEXT
TEN DAYS
REF: A. ANKARA 6617
B. ANKARA 6574
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner - Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)
1. (C) MFA Middle East Head of Department Sedat Onal told us
December 21 Prime Minister Erdogan does intend to travel to
Lebanon during the upcoming Muslim Sacrifice holiday, which
this year begins December 30 and ends January 3. GOT
officials had indicated to us earlier (reftels) Erdogan's
intention to visit Lebanon at some point during his recent
tour of regional capitals but had been unable to provide a
specific timeframe for the visit.
2. (C) According to Onal, Erdogan is expected to visit
Turkish troops participating in the UNIFIL operation in south
Lebanon as well as Beirut. Erdogan has underscored GOT
support for PM Siniora's government during his meetings in
both Tehran and Damascus, pressing both the Iranians and
Syrians to end efforts to destabilize Lebanon and to urge
Hizballah ministers to re-enter PM Siniora's cabinet.
3. (C) However, Onal noted that despite Erdogan's close ties
to Siniora (they reportedly speak by phone at least several
times a week, with calls initiated from both capitals),
Turkey's policy priority is stability in Lebanon. The Turks
are hopeful regarding Arab League Amr Moussa's mediation
efforts. They also are supportive of a compromise on the
composition of a new cabinet and hope it will be worked out
along the lines of formulae that have been the focus of
discussions in Beirut in recent days, with either a 19-9-2 or
even 19-10-1 split of cabinet positions between Siniora's
party and the opposition parties, including the possibility
of a new President being named.
4. (C) COMMENT: The GOT continues its effort to raise
Turkey's profile in its immediate neighborhood. Erdogan
hopes to improve Turkey's ability to influence events in
areas where continued or increased instability could have
negative repercussions for Turkey itself. Diminishing the
chances of that, while burnishing his own credentials as an
international statesman as Turkey enters an election year, is
helping to drive Turkey's current Middle East policy focus.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2016
TAGS: PREL LE SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: PM ERDOGAN TO VISIT LEBANON IN THE NEXT
TEN DAYS
REF: A. ANKARA 6617
B. ANKARA 6574
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner - Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)
1. (C) MFA Middle East Head of Department Sedat Onal told us
December 21 Prime Minister Erdogan does intend to travel to
Lebanon during the upcoming Muslim Sacrifice holiday, which
this year begins December 30 and ends January 3. GOT
officials had indicated to us earlier (reftels) Erdogan's
intention to visit Lebanon at some point during his recent
tour of regional capitals but had been unable to provide a
specific timeframe for the visit.
2. (C) According to Onal, Erdogan is expected to visit
Turkish troops participating in the UNIFIL operation in south
Lebanon as well as Beirut. Erdogan has underscored GOT
support for PM Siniora's government during his meetings in
both Tehran and Damascus, pressing both the Iranians and
Syrians to end efforts to destabilize Lebanon and to urge
Hizballah ministers to re-enter PM Siniora's cabinet.
3. (C) However, Onal noted that despite Erdogan's close ties
to Siniora (they reportedly speak by phone at least several
times a week, with calls initiated from both capitals),
Turkey's policy priority is stability in Lebanon. The Turks
are hopeful regarding Arab League Amr Moussa's mediation
efforts. They also are supportive of a compromise on the
composition of a new cabinet and hope it will be worked out
along the lines of formulae that have been the focus of
discussions in Beirut in recent days, with either a 19-9-2 or
even 19-10-1 split of cabinet positions between Siniora's
party and the opposition parties, including the possibility
of a new President being named.
4. (C) COMMENT: The GOT continues its effort to raise
Turkey's profile in its immediate neighborhood. Erdogan
hopes to improve Turkey's ability to influence events in
areas where continued or increased instability could have
negative repercussions for Turkey itself. Diminishing the
chances of that, while burnishing his own credentials as an
international statesman as Turkey enters an election year, is
helping to drive Turkey's current Middle East policy focus.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON