TURKEY: FIRST REACTIONS TO UNSCR 1747 SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000712 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR ISN/RA RICHARD NEPHEW AND IO/T HEATHER VON BEHREN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2017 TAGS: KNNP EFIN IAEA PARM MNUC TRGY AORC UNSC IR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: FIRST REACTIONS TO UNSCR 1747 SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN REF: A. STATE 37801 ¶B. ISTANBUL 63 Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Margaret Nardi, reasons: 1.4 (b /d) ¶1. (C) We delivered ref a points on UNSCR 1747 to MFA Head of Department for South Asia Murat Ahmed Yoruk on March 26. Yoruk said the MFA is studying the text of the resolution and commented that its provisions appear to be similarly targeted as those in UNSCR 1737. He advised that the text of latest resolution is being circulated within the MFA, which will take the lead in preparing for its promulgation by the Prime Minister. ¶2. (C) Separately, Hakan Kivanc in the MFA's Bilateral Economic Relations Department reiterated the Turkish position that the GOT will fully implement all UNSC resolutions on Iran. He was not aware of any of the listed entities having accounts or businesses in Turkey, including Bank Sepah. (As reported ref b, the Turkish banks with whom U/S Levy met denied any relationship with Bank Sepah, however it is not impossible that Sepah has accounts at other Turkish banks.) Kivanc also said no Turkish institution provides credits to the Government of Iran, and Turkish lenders would be informed of UNSCR 1747's prohibition on credits to the GOI. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY