TURKISH MFA CONSULTATIONS WITH IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001556

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2022
TAGS: PREL PARM PGOV IZ AF IR TX TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA CONSULTATIONS WITH IRAN

REF: ANKARA 1417

Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: MFA Deputy Undersecretary for the Middle East
and South Asia Feridun Sinirlioglu used his consultations in
Tehran June 10-14 to review developments in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and Lebanon. In debriefing Ambassador June 15,
Sinirlioglu said he pressed for but did not get an
explanation of the Iranian weapons bound for Syria that were
discovered on a train in Turkey. The Iranians regard
enrichment suspension as a non-starter, but expressed a
readiness to talk about guaranteeing there will be no
weaponization efforts. The Iranians reportedly professed a
readiness to continue talks with the US in Baghdad on Iraq,
and they denied any aid to terrorists there. End summary

No Explanation for Weapons on Train
--------------


2. (C) Sinirlioglu said he protested to Iranian officials
about the Iranian-origin arms shipment that was discovered
May 25 on a train bound for Syria (reftel). He asked for an
explanation and posed a number of questions that Turkey wants
answers to. The Iranians denied state involvement, but
otherwise gave no explanation. Sinirlioglu told us that the
arms shipment is a violation of relevant UNSCRs. Turkey will
report this formally to the UN Sanctions Committee, but will
give the Iranians a little more time to respond to the
questions posed before doing so.

Iran Nuclear Program
--------------


3. (C) Sinirlioglu said he came away with the impression that
Iran regards discussion of an enrichment suspension as a
non-starter. The Iranians are in a "post-suspension period."
The next issue is weaponization, and the Iranians wanted him
to know that they are ready to talk about ways to guarantee
there will be no move actually to construct a nuclear weapon,
which work they claimed has not started. They expressed
readiness to talk further with Solana, who they said was
"more positive" during the last round of direct talks in
Madrid. Sinirlioglu commented that the Iranians seem
over-confident on this issue, especially in light of the
country's economic problems and international isolation.

Iranian Views on Iraq
--------------


4. (C) The Iranians positively appraised the recent talks
with the US on Iraq, Sinirlioglu said. They pointedly told
him that they are ready for round two and want this
trilateral (US-Iraq-Iran) process to continue. They
described in an apparently accurate way Ambassador Crocker's
concerns about Iranian arming and training of terrorists,
which they told Sinirlioglu "do not reflect reality." Such
action would be inconsistent with their support for Maliki
and not in Iran's interest. They emphasized support for
Maliki, whom they characterized as a "common denominator" for
the US and Iran. They want to help the US to help him "if we
also act in a positive way." They urged that the US transfer
remaining security authorities to the Iraqis, which they
maintained will help to develop the Maliki government's
capacity and decision making.


5. (C) The two sides discussed their security concerns on
their respective borders with northern Iraq. Sinirlioglu
told the Iranians that Turkey has no interest in a
large-scale military operation across the border, but that
Turkey also an obligation to protect its people, and a right
to do so under international law, if Iraq cannot control its
side of the border. According to Sinirlioglu, the Iranians
listened and said they will try to talk to the authorities in
Baghdad and in the north about Turkey,s concerns.
Sinirlioglu told Tehran that Turkey wants to rebuild a
dialogue with the north, but Barzani and other KRG officials
need first to stop their verbal attacks on Turkey and take
steps against the PKK. Sinirlioglu said that he expressed
Turkey,s familiar concerns about Kirkuk, which the Iranians
shared. They said that they have expressed caution to both
Iraqi and Iraqi Kurd officials.

Lebanon
--------------


6. (C) Sinirlioglu said that the Iranians described
Mottaki,s contacts in Damascus following the passage of
UNSCR 1757. The Syrians underlined their frustrations,

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especially with the Tribunal. Lebanese opposition figures
made clear their frustrations, too, and said they will not
talk with the government in Beirut until PM Siniora resigns.

Afghanistan
--------------


7. (C) The Iranians reportedly shared their concerns that the
situation in Afghanistan is worsening. The Taliban is
gaining strength daily. It now emphasizes hit and run
attacks that are designed to foment chaos, and these new
tactics are succeeding. If present trends continue, the
Iranians think that the Taliban could be in control of the
country within 6-12 months. Sinirlioglu said he raised
allegations that Iran is providing financial support to the
Taliban, which is a "red line for Turkey." The Iranians
denied this, said such rumors help the Taliban, and claimed
the real money comes from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both
sides agreed that the Taliban has become more active in the
north and view the recent incidents involving Dostum in that
light.

Turkmenistan
--------------


8. (C) Sinirlioglu reported that the Iranians claim to have
close contacts with the new Turkmenistan leadership. Both
the president and the energy minister had been in Tehran
recently. However, Tehran believes that the Berdymukhamedov
government is closer to the Russians than Niyazov,s was.

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

WILSON