TURKEY: FM BABACAN CONTINUES REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002640 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017 TAGS: PREL IS IZ LE SY TU XF SUBJECT: TURKEY: FM BABACAN CONTINUES REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT REF: A. ANKARA 2585 ¶B. ANKARA 2587 Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 b, d ¶1. (C) Summary: Turkish FM Babacan continued his intensive outreach to Middle East neighbors with trips to Egypt and Lebanon while, concurrently, Syrian President Asad and FM Mualem visited Ankara. GOT officials continue to urge the SARG to stem the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and to play a constructive role in Lebanon. Both Syrian and Lebanese officials underscored the importance of finding a compromise candidate for the upcoming Lebanese presidential election for the sake of regional stability. MFA contacts note many Middle Eastern leaders have expressed a growing fear of sectarian violence in the region due to Iranian influence. End Summary. ¶2. (C) We met October 23 with MFA Deputy Director General for Middle East Affairs Omer Onhon to discuss the second leg of Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's Middle East tour to Egypt and Lebanon, October 17-19. As he did during previous visits to Syria, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, Babacan continued to utilize these familiarization trips to coordinate ahead of the November 2-3 Iraq Expanded Neighbors Ministerial, being hosted by Turkey in Istanbul. In addition, Onhon discussed the October 16-19 visit of Syrian President Bashar Asad and FM Walid Mualem to Ankara, the first in a series of visits by regional leaders to Turkey. Other visitors expected include Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Saudi King Abdullah Al Saud, and Lebanese PM Fuad Siniora. EGYPT SUPPORTS GOT EFFORTS AGAINST PKK ¶3. (C) Onhon said Babacan's discussions in Egypt focused on the Turkish Parliament's authorization of a cross border operation (CBO) into Iraq. The GOE fully supports Iraqi sovereignty and independence, but also understands the threat to Turkey posed by terrorism, specifically by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). During Babacan's meetings with President Hosni Mubarak, PM Ahmed Nazif, and FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and again at a joint press conference, GOE officials expressed understanding of and support for Turkey's PKK policy. Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa echoed similar opinions during a separate meeting with Babacan in Cairo. Onhon added that Turkey will sign a consultation and cooperation MOU with the Arab League on the margins of the Istanbul ministerial. ARAB EXPECTATIONS HIGH FOR MEPP ¶4. (C) Onhon reported the Arabs and Palestinians with whom Babacan met have high expectations for concrete results from the upcoming Middle East peace process meetings in Annapolis. The Israeli government, in contrast, appears much more focused on first steps. Onhon sees a risk that some Arab countries may not participate if the agenda fails to include concrete measures for addressing final status issues. LEBANESE ELECTIONS KEY TO REGIONAL STABILITY ¶5. (C) The GOT holds fast to its belief that Syria can play a positive role in Lebanon, according to Onhon (Ref B). During meetings in Damascus and Ankara, GOT officials encouraged the SARG to "become part of the solution," as they have previously. Babacan emphasized that a positive contribution in Lebanon would hasten Syria,s rejoining the international community. SARG officials noted that, while Syria has pull with some groups, they have little influence over others, particularly ones with an anti-Syrian platform. Furthermore, contact with other third country actors such as the U.S., France, and Saudi Arabia would boost Syria's ability to positively influence the process. The SARG readily acknowledged that any problems that occur during the Lebanese elections will negatively impact the entire region. ¶6. (C) On the issue of Lebanon, Asad and other Syrian officials underscored the importance of finding a compromise candidate agreed upon by all sides, not necessarily a pro- or anti-Syrian individual. Onhon added that Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and Parliament Majority Leader Saad Hariri all echoed the same sentiment in meetings with Babacan. A Hezbollah parliamentarian repeated that message, adding "our top enemy is not Siniora, but Israel." Based on the meetings in ANKARA 00002640 002 OF 002 Beirut, Onhon believes Lebanese leadership may already have a compromise candidate in mind, but it would not be revealed until the last minute. SYRIA BEMOANS LACK OF U.S. SUPPORT ¶7. (C) During his Ankara meeting with FM Mualem, Babacan again conveyed U.S. concerns regarding the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq across the Syrian border (REF A). Mualem reported Syrian officials had captured over 1,500 foreign fighters in recent months. All efforts, he claimed to the Turks, were coordinated with the U.S. Mualem expressed frustration with the perceived lack of U.S. reciprocity in sharing needed information with the SARG and the failure of the Iraqi government to assume any responsibility for policing their side of the border. The SARG had requested of the U.S. additional equipment to assist in their efforts. Citing USG regulations prohibiting the transfer of such technologies, U.S. contacts reportedly suggested approaching the UK. After one meeting, the UK has not followed up. Mualem claims the SARG cooperated with the U.S. on interdicting foreign fighters until Syria's Iraqi sources were compromised, resulting in several executions. Babacan, Onhon said, encouraged Syria to continue to work with the U.S. Onhon added that the problem of Iraqi refugees in Syria continues to grow, with their rapidly increasing numbers putting a considerable strain on SARG resources. FEARS OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE ¶8. (C) Many officials in the countries Babacan has visited in recent weeks expressed a growing fear of sectarian violence, especially Jordan and Saudi Arabia, according to Onhon. He noted that the Jordanians focused specifically on the growing Iranian and Shiite influence in their country and the region. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON