TURKEY: U/S BURNS' MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002465 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: U/S BURNS' MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Erdogan warmly received U/S Burns on September 19 and underscored areas where Turkey is working to be a regional leader, in line with U.S. efforts, including Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP),and troops in Afghanistan and Lebanon. Erdogan expressed frustration over the PKK and the Iraqi/Iraqi Kurdish attitude on it. He explained Turkey's sensitivities on Iran, worried about a possible Armenian genocide resolution, and encouraged greater trade and investment ties. U/S Burns expressed appreciation for Turkey's regional leadership, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to combating PKK terrorism, and solicited Turkish advice on MEPP and Iran. He stated that the U.S. hopes to use the next 2-3 months to plan a series of high-level exchanges, starting with Erdogan and President Bush. End Summary. Iraq and PKK -------------- ¶2. (C) PM Erdogan observed that developments point to Iraq's fragmentation. Iraqi groups lack a concrete sense of territorial integrity. This has contributed to the fact that trilateral efforts to combat the PKK have borne no fruit. Northern Iraq is harboring terrorists. Why and by whom, the PM asked, is Northern Iraq being so coddled? PM Maliki agreed to call the PKK a terrorist organization, but FM Zebari now says the agreement with Turkey does not bind Iraq. The fight against terrorism should be a common one. All terrorists are bad, and we need a common platform for fighting them. This is the principle behind Turkey's sending troops to Afghanistan and around the world. Together we must end PKK's ability to benefit from the chaos. ¶3. (C) U/S Burns noted the significance of Turkey hosting the Iraq neighbors conference. He acknowledged the PKK's importance to Turkey and reiterated U.S. support. In addition to talking to PM Maliki, Turkey should open sustained communication with Barzani and Talabani to urge them to control the PKK. Recognizing continued security challenges in Iraq, the PM wondered when Iraq would actually democratize and Iraqis will able to live a normal, secure life. He recalled the smell when he visited Auschwitz and said that the odor of blood and gunpowder in Iraq would not disappear for many years. Iranian Gas Fuels the Relationship -------------- ¶4. (C) U/S Burns observed that dealing with Tehran was another area where the U.S. needed Turkish advice and support. Iran continues to provide funds and weapons to Shiites in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza. The Iranians are also accelerating their nuclear weapons program. The U.S. seeks a diplomatic solution, including another UNSCR, but that will require support from Russia and China. To give diplomacy teeth, the U.S. is also trying to convince Iran's key trading partners to reduce their involvement with that country. These include Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, India, Germany, Turkey, and others. The intention is not just to punish the Iranians, but to encourage them to negotiate. ¶5. (C) Erdogan explained that Turkish sensitivities on Iran should be understood in relation to energy issues. Turkey has developed its energy infrastructure around natural gas, and Iran is second only to Russia as Turkey's main natural gas supplier. The government aims to complete natural gas grids in all 81 provinces, beyond the 47 provinces so far. Some 52 percent of Turkey's electricity comes from natural gas conversion plants. Turkey spends USD 29 billion a year on energy, primarily to Russia and Iran. U/S Burns reiterated U.S. concerns about the need to make diplomacy work. He also said the U.S. wants to work more effectively with Turkey on alternative Caspian and Central Asian energy resources. MEPP Should Involve Syria -------------- ¶6. (C) Erdogan promised GOT support to the MEPP. He asked for information in order to be able ANKARA 00002465 002 OF 002 contribute to a constructive conference in November. U/S Burns responded that the U.S. will need Turkey's advice, ideas, and support on creating movement with Israel and Palestine. The November meeting would show serious substantive progress toward a solution, but to get there, Turkey's contribution would be needed. The PM cautioned that all relevant countries should be present at the Washington meeting on the MEPP, including Syria. Participants should come to the meeting prepared to bring about a concrete result, and a calendar is absolutely necessary. AGR, Trade, and the Patriarch -------------- ¶7. (C) The PM expressed concern about the increased possibility of an Armenian genocide resolution (AGR). Burns affirmed that the President and Secretary of State are working hard to prevent an AGR in Congress. Erdogan stated that Turkey wants to see more U.S. trade and investment. Burns agreed. He also said the U.S. fully supports Turkey's EU entry and suggested that a decision on the Turks' part to ease conditions for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos would help, especially with respect to Halki Seminary. He conveyed a request from Bartholomeos to meet later in the year and urged Erdogan to take advantage of this opportunity. The PM contrasted Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II, "who is special to us, in a way," with Bartholomeos, who "wants to hurry things up... As we try to mature an idea in our minds, he goes to the media and the idea is destroyed." ¶8. (U) U/S Burns has cleared this cable. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON