TURKEY/IRAN: TURKEY TO URGE IRAN TO ACCEPT P5+1

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001136 SIPDIS NEA/IR FOR MCKAY; ISN/RA FOR NEPHEW E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAN: TURKEY TO URGE IRAN TO ACCEPT P5+1 OFFER REF: STATE 64530 Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) During a June 18 meeting with MFA U/S Apakan (reported septel),Ambassador shared information on the P5 1 offer, explained the strategy behind it, and urged Turkey to encourage Iran to accept the package. Drawing on reftel points, Ambassador stressed that the package was generous, builds on the June 2006 offer, and would fulfill Iran's stated desire of developing nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Ambassador highlighted the offer to work with Iran to develop a state-of-the-art light water reactor and guarantee nuclear fuel supplies that would obviate the need for an uranium enrichment program. He also noted the package's offer to improve trade and economic relations, and support Iran's integration into the international structures, including the WTO. Ambassador stressed that Iran would only need to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities in order to initiate negotiations. Noting Ankara's helpful encouragement of Iran to accept the P5 1 package in June 2006, Ambassador asked Turkey to take the same approach again, and to lend its voice publicly and privately to urge Iran to accept the offer. ¶2. (C) Apakan agreed that the package creates an opportunity and pledged that Turkey will take this up privately. He would use his own consultations with his Iranian counterpart (with whom he meets on an annual basis) to urge Iran positively to consider the proposal. Apakan underscored that a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue is in Turkey's interest. He reiterated Turkey's readiness to host any future meetings between Iran and the P5 1, as it did in April 2007, when Solana and Larijani met in Ankara. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON