MFA BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON TURKISH INTEREST IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 000766

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2019
TAGS: PREL ECON TU IR SY IZ KWBG IS
SUBJECT: MFA BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON TURKISH INTEREST IN
RESTORING CLOSE TIES TO ISRAEL

Classified By: Ambassador James B. Cunningham for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA Acting Director General Yossi Gal
briefed the Ambassador March 31 on Gal's visit to Turkey.
Gal, who had returned from Turkey March 30, explained that a
strong thread of U.S.-related material ran through his
discussions. The visit was to follow up on FM Livni's
meeting with Turkish FM Babacan on the margins of the NATO
meeting in Brussels on March 5. Gal told the Ambassador that
he met with both his MFA counterpart, Under Secretary Apakan
and with Prime Ministerial Foreign Policy Advisor Ahmet
Davutoglu for several hours each. According to Gal, they
discussed strategies for renewing Israeli-Turkish ties
through increased exchanges, differing Israeli and Turkish
views on Iran and Hamas, and other regional issues. Gal said
that while the Apakan seemed more cautious on Iran and Hamas,
Davutoglu advocated a policy of "embrace and change." Gal
cautioned Davutoglu that Iran may use Turkey's embrace to
avoid international sanctions. Finally, the Turks made clear
they hoped for a continued mediating role between Israel and
Syria. Gal replied that the Syria track would be a matter
for the new GOI to address. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Gal said the Turks stressed repeatedly their desire
to turn the page, and to deepen and broaden their
relationship with Israel. The Ambassador asked if there were
discernible differences between Davutoglu and the MFA. Gal
said there were not, with the exception of the discussion on
Iran, where Davutoglu showed more support for engagement. In
the discussion of regional issues, the Turks repeatedly made
clear their interest in working with the U.S. and Israel as
part of a triangular "strategic relationship" in the Middle
East. Gal commented that he got the sense that the Turks
hoped Israel would influence the U.S. to view Turkey's
engagement with Israel positively prior to the President
Obama's visit. Gal added that the Turks' concern about
Armenia and Congressional action on the genocide measure was
palpable, and they asked Israel to lobby the Administration
and on the Hill against the measure. Gal added that Israel
hoped President Obama, during his visit to Turkey, would
follow through in promoting the bilateral relationship
between Israel and Turkey.


3. (C) Regarding the bilateral relationship, Gal said that
the Turks proposed a structured approach of visits and
discussions focusing on four areas of cooperation:
Political, Economic/Trade, Culture/Academic, and People to
People. The two sides agreed to 17 specific follow-up items,
most of which Gal said were proposed by Turkey. These
include visits to Israel by President Gul, the Turkish Chief
of Defense (CHOD),the Minister of Agriculture, FM Babacan,
and U/S Apakan (to continue the strategic dialogue
discussion). In addition, Turkey proposed a visit to Israel
by the Minister of Tourism to promote Israeli tourism to
Turkey, which has fallen off dramatically since Erdogan's
outburst at Davos. In June there will be a Joint Economic
Committee meeting to promote trade. Gal said that exchanges
on energy, water, and between legislatures are also being
planned.


4. (C) On regional issues, Gal said he discussed Iraq, the
EU and Iran with the GOT. The Turks expressed concern about
Iranian activities in Iraq, and praised the "tight
cooperation" they had now with the U.S. They also told Gal
that they had improved their relationship with the Kurds and
said their goal was to have Iraq rejoin the Arab community as
a moderate player. On Europe, The Turks reaffirmed their
intent to joint the EU.


5. (C) During the discussion on Iran, Gal said that both
Davutoglu and Apakan expressed concern about Iran and Hamas.
Davutoglu expanded on the need to engage Iran and Hamas in
order to influence change in their policies, a policy that
Gal described as "embrace and change." Davutoglu went on at
some length about the positive effect Turkey could have
throughout the region in blunting extremism, claiming it was
due to Turkey's influence with Damascus that the Syrians had
prevented Hizballah from launching attacks during the Gaza
conflict. Davutoglu also asserted that it was due to

Turkey's influence that Hamas is not completely under Iranian
control. The MFA line, on the other hand, was simply that
Turkey wanted to work with the U.S. and support the
international efforts on Iran. Gal warned Davutoglu that
Iran was trying to use its relationship and trade with Turkey
to avoid sanctions. He said Davutoglu didn't react, other
than to say Turkey supports the U.S. engagement policy and
the P5 plus 1.

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CUNNINGHAM