Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA169
2009-02-03 16:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY TO CONTINUE ACTIVIST ROLE IN MIDDLE EAST;

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER ENRG KPAL TU IZ IR IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000169 

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/SE; NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ENRG KPAL TU IZ IR IS
SUBJECT: TURKEY TO CONTINUE ACTIVIST ROLE IN MIDDLE EAST;
COUNTER TO IRAN

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES JEFFREY FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000169

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/SE; NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ENRG KPAL TU IZ IR IS
SUBJECT: TURKEY TO CONTINUE ACTIVIST ROLE IN MIDDLE EAST;
COUNTER TO IRAN

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES JEFFREY FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOT aims to continue to play an activist
role in establishing peace and stability in its neighborhood
as a foreign policy priority, in large measure because of a
deep distrust and fear of Iran's exhibited malevolent
influence throughout the region, according to senior MFA
officials. Whether discussing Iraq, Israel-Syria talks, or
the Middle East Peace Process, a consistent theme of
countering Iran's efforts to destabilize the region emerged.
With Turkish politicians entering full campaign mode in the
run-up to nationwide provincial and municipal elections at
the end of March, MFA's diplomats have been working non-stop
at damage control in response to public statements made by PM
Erdogan and others uttered more with domestic politics in
mind than how they are perceived in other countries. MFA
officials assure us Turkey remains fully committed to a
strong relationship with Israel, support for
intra-Palestinian rapprochement which can help contribute to
the Peace Process, continued efforts to drive a wedge between
Iran and Syria, and a continuation of the GOT's outreach to
Baghdad and Erbil to strengthen Turkey-Iraq ties.


2. (C) SUMMARY CONT.': In a subsequent conversation with the
Ambassador, PM Foreign Policy Advisor Ahmet Davutoglu sounded
generally similar notes -- see septel -- including on Iran.
While also in damage control mode, however, he has a more
optimistic view of the salvageability of groups like HAMAS
and Hizbollah, as well as Syria, than do the realpolitik guys
in the MFA. END SUMMARY

Turkey's Aim Remains Peace and Stability...and Countering Iran
-------------- --------------


3. (C) MFA Deputy U/S for Middle East Sinirlioglu and GOT
Special Envoy for Iraq Ozcelik both told Ambassador in
separate February 2 meetings that Turkey remains fixated on
countering Iranian efforts to enhance its own influence in
the Middle East by destabilizing the region. Discussing

Turkey's efforts to establish a cease-fire in Gaza and the
January 30 incident at Davos involving PM Erdogan and Israeli
President Peres, Sinirlioglu told us he and others at MFA
have worked tirelessly to reassure the Israelis the
fundamentally strong relationship between Turkey and Israel
continues from a GOT standpoint, including in regular phone
calls between Sinirlioglu and Israeli PM foreign policy
advisor Shalom Tourgeman. He noted MFA U/S Apakan has spoken
with Israeli MFA DG Aharon Abramowitz as well and, in fact,
Abramowitz has invited Apakan to visit Israel soon. Since
Apakan had visited Israel last, MFA intends to issue an
invitation to Abramowitz to come to Ankara within the next
two weeks.


4. (C) Sinirlioglu refuted public criticism that
anti-Semitism is on the rise in Turkey as a result of Israeli
military action in Gaza, saying GOT officials have been
careful to focus their criticism on Israel's actions in Gaza
and not on the Israeli people, Jews in general, or to
threaten the Turkey-Israel relationship. Ambassador pointed
out that to be an effective moderator or facilitator, one
must be perceived as balanced by both sides in a conflict.
PM Erdogan's strong language at Davos and statements by other
politicians and in the media in Turkey in recent weeks call
into question, especially in Washington, and presumably in
Israel, whether Turkey can indeed fill that unbiased role.


5. (C) Sinirlioglu noted that President Gul travels February
3 to Saudi Arabia and will no doubt engage in a similar
discussion with King Abdullah and other senior Saudi
officials. Pointing to impending provincial and municipal
elections in Turkey in late March, he emphasized the need to
keep statements made by Turkish politicians in proper context
and urged that Washington continue to draw Ankara closer into
peace process discussions to ensure the U.S. and Turkey

ANKARA 00000169 002 OF 003


remain on the same page. Referring to a perception among
Turkish officials that the Israelis seem to be "reserving a
role for Egypt" in facilitating talks with the Palestinians,
Sinirlioglu underscored Turkey does not want to "steal away
Egypt's role." Rather, the GOT only seeks to ensure
reconciliation among the Palestinians, because without that,
there is no hope for a comprehensive peace. Therefore, the
only option is to continue efforts to draw HAMAS into the
political process, which can help to give Abu Mazen greater
confidence that he can back up any deal he may be able to
strike with Israel.


6. (C) Abbas will be visiting Ankara February 6-7, according
to Sinirlioglu. The GOT's aim is to reinforce the need for a
strong Palestinian Authority under the control of Abu Mazen,
but HAMAS is a reality that will not disappear. "We all must
help the Palestinians find a way forward," he said. Turkey
supports Egypt's efforts to establish a new technocratic
government of national unity with the support of both Fatah
and HAMAS, leading to new elections and resumption of PA
control over both Gaza and the West Bank. Sinirlioglu
admitted the GOT recognizes the negative role Iran plays in
supporting the terrorist activities of HAMAS, saying, "No one
knows Iran better than us." He pointed to staged
demonstrations in Tehran in recent weeks in front of the
Turkish embassy, the first anti-Turkish when initial UNSC
deliberations failed to bring about a cease-fire, and the
second pro-Turkish in reaction to PM Erdogan's performance at
Davos. Sinirlioglu noted the Iranians will "try to exploit
anything and everything." The GOT remains focused on
removing tools from Tehran's hands and is convinced the best
way to do that is to continue to drive a wedge between Iran
and Syria, without whose support Iran's efforts at
destabilization would become far less effective.

An Effort That Remains at the Core of Turkey's Iraq Policy
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Ozcelik continued a similar refrain, noting the GOT
remains concerned about PM Maliki and the degree to which
Iran can influence him. Maliki's administration has been
"troubled" in effectively governing and the Turks are afraid
he will continue to ratchet up pressure on the Kurds in an
effort to centralize power. Ozcelik emphasized that Turkey
strongly supports a unified Iraq under a central government,
but wants to see that achieved through political consensus.
The GOT is not certain Maliki is the person who can achieve
that, but if not him, who can? Noting the successful conduct
of local elections on January 31 and previewing what might
occur in eventual national elections, Ozcelik said the
electoral map will inevitably look different and the GOT is
closely watching to see whether Iranian influence will
continue to grow or begin to wane.


8. (C) Ozcelik indicated GOT officials are now looking at a
possible visit by President Gul to Iraq in the first half of
March. During this initial visit, he will likely visit only
Baghdad, reserving stops in Erbil, Kirkuk, and other regional
cities for a future visit. He noted Foreign Ministers
Babacan and Zebari will also likely meet in late February or
in the first week of March for the next meeting of the two
countries' bilateral high level strategic cooperation
mechanism.


9. (C) The GOT remains concerned about Turkish firms being
excluded from potential energy deals with the KRG should it
not at least initiate discussions with Erbil before Iraqi
politicians come to agreement on a hydrocarbons law.
Ambassador emphasized the USG view that any deals signed with
the KRG will only make passage of hydrocarbons legislation
less likely and will inevitably be declared null and void
once such a law is passed. Ozcelik believes deals struck
with the KRG may very well be grandfathered in once national
legislation is passed, but expressed understanding of the USG

ANKARA 00000169 003 OF 003


position, given the GOT had adhered to the same policy for
the past six years. He said Turkey will not be cutting a
deal with the KRG on energy right now, though he did not
promise there would not be discussions between Ankara and
Erbil.


10. (C) Ozcelik told Ambassador he will continue to push
ahead with his attempt to coordinate GOT efforts in finding
non-military ways to counter the terrorist PKK. He noted he
would be speaking later in the day with Deputy Chief of
Defense Igsiz on the matter and would be reaching out to
Massoud Barzani in coming days to express GOT concerns with
his plan to convene a conference of Kurdish political parties
and entities as a way to bring pressure to bear on the PKK.
Ozcelik said Ankara does not want to see the tables turned on
Barzani at the conference that would end up forcing his hand
to support PKK policies and/or demands. Such a result would
seriously undermine the GOT-KRG rapprochement which Ozcelik
has worked assiduously to build over the past year. He also
intimated that British Iraq Coordinator Frank Baker is
playing an unhelpful role in pushing this conference idea.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey

Jeffrey