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

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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