TURKEY TO FULLY IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1803, DENIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000456 SIPDIS SIPDIS ISTANBUL FOR ODLUM E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY TO FULLY IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1803, DENIES AHMEDINEJAD VISIT IMMINENT REF: STATE 21770 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA Acting Deputy Undersecretary Haydar Berk, Deputy Director General (DDG) for South Asia Babur Hizlan, and DDG for Disarmament and Nonproliferation Ahmet Gun. We highlighted the resolution's call on states to exercise vigilance in dealing with Iranian banks, and to inspect cargo carried by Iran Air Cargo and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, as being particularly relevant for the GOT. All interlocutors pledged GOT's full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1803. Hizlan said the MFA will notify all relevant GOT authorities concerning the requirements of the new resolution. He said it would be helpful to receive passport information related to the individuals subject to the travel ban so that states will be better able to implement the resolution's requirements. ¶2. (C) Hizlan confirmed that the governmental decrees associated with the implementation of UNSC Resolutions 1737 and 1747 still have not been issued, and declined to predict when that will occur. Regardless, Hizlan asserted that all aspects of previous resolutions are being fully implemented by the GOT in practice. ¶3. (C) When asked about media reports suggesting an Ankara visit of Iranian President Ahmedinejad was imminent, Hizlan said the Iranian embassy frequently plants such stories in the press because Iran is eager to have Ahmedinejad visit soon. Noting that "a visit will have to take place at some point" to reciprocate the visit of then-President Sezer to Tehran in February 2004, Hizlan stressed that no date has been set, and it is "not currently on the agenda." Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON