Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2907
2007-12-06 15:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY/IRAN: INITIAL TURKISH REACTION TO NATIONAL

Tags:  PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IR TU 
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FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4562
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002907 

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SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAN: INITIAL TURKISH REACTION TO NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE

REF: STATE 162558

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002907

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAN: INITIAL TURKISH REACTION TO NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE

REF: STATE 162558

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


1. (C) Ambassador reviewed the NIE key judgments and reftel
points with MFA Undersecretary Apakan and President/Prime
Minister advisor Davutoglu on December 4. Drawing on points
in reftel, Ambassador highlighted the NIE's conclusion that
Iran had a nuclear weapons program and stopped it in 2003,
that continuation of uranium enrichment leaves Iran in
violation of UNSCRs, and that Iran still has unresolved
issues with the IAEA. He said Turkey's message -- on Iran's
loss of international confidence and the need for
transparency and cooperation with the IAEA -- remains
important. We hope Turkey continues to deliver it.
Davutoglu made no substantive comment. Apakan expressed
appreciation for U.S. views, said Turkey does not want and
opposes the idea of a nuclear-armed Iran, and maintained
Turkey will continue to support the UNSC, IAEA, and P5/1 on
this matter.


2. (C) We also briefed MFA Arms Control Deputy Director
General Ahmet Gun on the NIE. Gun said the Turkish
government would likely have a positive view of the NIE's
conclusions, welcoming any determination that could alleviate
the tensions between Iran, the U.S., and the international
community. Gun inquired whether the timing of the NIE's
release had any significance. He also wondered if the NIE
would have any impact on our policy with regard to Iran's
declared uranium enrichment activities, since the UN Security
Council's demand that Iran suspend enrichment was predicated
on the potential use of enriched uranium to produce nuclear
weapons.


3. (C) Using reftel points, we stressed to Gun our belief
that Iran was working on nuclear weapons up to 2003 and our
assessment that international pressure played an important
role in the Iranian decision to halt the weapons program. We
also noted that Iran's fuel enrichment program could still be
diverted to make nuclear weapons at any time. Finally, we
emphasized Iran's continuing work on long-range ballistic
missiles and the fact that such expensive missiles are only
practical if they can be used to deliver weapons of mass
destruction. Gun took our arguments on board and said that
Turkey would continue to send Tehran the strong message on
all levels that Iran must be transparent about its nuclear
work.


4. (U) In wide coverage of the NIE, the Turkish media
highlights both Iranian claims of "victory" over the US and
Secretary Rice's admonition that Iran still poses a danger.

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Some papers claim the report will increase Russian and
Chinese opposition to further sanctions, putting the US
Administration "in a corner." Prominent columnists express
relief, assessing that the NIE reduces the likelihood of the
U.S., or Israel, using military force against Iran. Some
note, however, the NIE's judgment that international
attention played a role in Iran's decision to halt its
nuclear weapons development and urge continued close
monitoring of Iran.


5. (SBU) Post will provide further reaction from officials
and prominent opinion-makers as available.

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

WILSON