TURKEY: BABACAN, LIVNI MEET WITH OPEN ARMS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000370 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019 TAGS: PREL IS TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: BABACAN, LIVNI MEET WITH OPEN ARMS, CLENCHED TEETH REF: A. ANKARA 257 ¶B. ANKARA 237 Classified By: D/POL Counselor Christopher Krafft, for reasons 1.4 (b,d ) ¶1. (C) Summary: In the first high-level engagement since the Gaza crisis and PM Erdogan's Davos outburst, Turkish FM Babacan and Israeli FM Livni met on the margins of the March 5 NATO Foreign Ministerial. The two leaders discussed Turkish-Israeli relations, the Gaza crisis, Palestinian reconciliation, and Iran. Despite repeated attempts by Livni to focus on bilateral rapprochement, Babacan used the opportunity to pontificate about GOI mistakes and Turkey's role in reaching a ceasefire. The tone of the meeting was heated, but both sides report it served its purpose of restarting dialogue. Turkish and Israeli MFA Undersecretaries will meet in Ankara March 19 for more indepth discussions. Throughout the crisis, both countries' Foreign Ministries have tirelessly worked to keep diplomatic channels open. While Presidents Gul and Peres have taken steps to avoid a rupture in the relationship, it will require senior political leaders in both governments (e.g., PM Erdogan and likely PM Netanyahu) to take the bold actions necessary to return the once warm friendship to its previous state. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a move relatively ignored by the Turkish press and untouted by the GOT, FM Babacan and Israeli FM Livni met on the March 5 NATO Foreign Ministerial margins -- the first high-level engagement since the Gaza crisis and PM Erdogan's Davos outburst while sharing the stage with President Peres. MFA Israel Desk Officer Rauf Alp Denktas said that the two MFAs had originally discussed resuming engagement at the U/S-level, a continuation of the biannual strategic dialogue meetings, during the first week of March. The NATO Summit, however, proved to be a better opportunity to demonstrate tangible evidence of rapprochement. Wanting to control the spin, the Turkish and Israeli MFAs agreed prior to Brussels on the details of the post-meeting public line, including acknowledgment of the meeting itself and the issues discussed (the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, its impact on regional security, and the continuation of diplomatic cooperation at the highest level). ¶3. (C) Israeli Embassy spokesman Amit Zarouk told us that Livni attended the summit for the sole purpose of speaking to Babacan. The two leaders discussed the Gaza crisis, Palestinian reconciliation, Iran, and bilateral relations during the one-hour meeting. Zarouk characterized the event as "not smooth, but generally positive." Denktas added that Hamas and extent of Israel's right to use force for self defense were areas of disagreement. Both reported that while Livni attempted to focus the discussion on the bilateral relationship, Babacan repeatedly returned to Gaza. He highlighted GOI mistakes made during the 23-day offensive and Turkey's contributions to achieving a cease-fire, said Zarouk. Livni countered that PM Erdogan had cynically capitalized on the crisis to boost his domestic image ahead of the March 29 local elections. She also accused Turkey of empowering Hamas, thereby allowing the Palestinian group to control the terms of resolution. Questioning if Turkey had achieved anything at all for its efforts, Livni warned Babacan during yet another discussion on excessive use of force "Don't patronize me. We have the right to defend our citizens." Denktas reported that despite heated words, both leaders agreed to continue dialogue and he opined the meeting served to clear the air. ¶4. (C) As a continuation of the rapprochement, the MFA Undersecretaries will meet in Ankara on March 19. (NOTE: Turkey and Israel held the last strategic dialogue round in Tel Aviv on December 13. END NOTE) Zarouk told us that as the Israeli Director General will be on vacation, the DDG will attend in his place. The officials will discuss President Gul's impending visit to Israel (reportedly in May at earliest) and specific steps to strengthen the relationship. While the Brussels meeting was the first step toward getting diplomatic relations back on track, opined Zarouk, the U/S meeting will functionally "break the ice." ¶5. (C) Comment: The Turkish and Israeli MFAs have worked ANKARA 00000370 002 OF 002 tirelessly to keep the bilateral relationship afloat. Both Foreign Ministries have addressed any mutual tensions and have told us that it is NOW up to the politicians to make bold gestures. The Turkish MFA acknowledges that Israeli President Peres made the first step when he called PM Erdogan immediately after the Davos incident to implore him not to allow personal feeling to impact the bilateral relationship. Gul followed suit when he privately passed a note to Peres stating that he would like to reschedule his visit to Israel and publicly acknowledged the act after the information was leaked to the Israeli press (REFTELS). Israeli Embassy officials have warned us that the GOI is somewhat more circumspect about quickly returning to business as usual with Turkey - much more so than during pervious periods of tension between Turkey and Israel. Nevertheless, both sides acquiesce that Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum have acted with great restraint by opting to make tempered comments about Turkey even after Davos, as reportedly advocated by PM Olmert. End Comment. 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