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

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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