TURKEY ON IRAN UNDP EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENCY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000032 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE, IO/EDA CHARLES CHANG, AND NEA/IR VICTORIA TAYLOR E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2019 TAGS: PREF IR UNAUS EAID TU SUBJECT: TURKEY ON IRAN UNDP EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENCY REF: SECSTATE 01500 Classified By: POL Counselor Daniel O'Grady, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel points January to MFA Deputy Director General for South Asia and Iranian Affairs Babur Hizlan and, separately, to UN Affairs desk officer Turhan Dilmac. (NOTE: MFA bilateral political directorates have responsibility for country-specific UN decisions. END NOTE.) Hizlan said he would consider our concerns but questioned why a leadership role for Iran in UNDP would necessarily be bad for the organization, given UNDP's particular mandate. Hizlan inquired as to when the vote would actually take place, if it is postponed from January 9, and if we had soundings on other possible candidates. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Hizlan did not rule out Turkey supporting us on this issue, but appeared inclined to concede to Iran, with which it has bigger headaches in the UN, namely sanctions. Additional information on possible Executive Board president alternatives would be useful. It should be noted that UNDP head Kemal Dervis is a former Turkish Minister of Economy and Member of Parliament. He is widely credited with transforming the Turkish economy and is highly respected here. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey Jeffrey