Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ANKARA108
2010-01-22 19:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
MFA UNDERSECRETARY: BARAK VISIT A SUCCESS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000108
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR TU
SUBJECT: MFA UNDERSECRETARY: BARAK VISIT A SUCCESS
REF: A. ANKARA 58
B. ANKARA 89
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 02 ANKARA 000108
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR TU
SUBJECT: MFA UNDERSECRETARY: BARAK VISIT A SUCCESS
REF: A. ANKARA 58
B. ANKARA 89
Classified By: Ambassador James Jeffrey, for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. SUMMARY. In a wide-ranging discussion with the Ambassador
January 18, MFA Undersecretary Sinirlioglu:
-- was upbeat on Turkey-Israel relations after the January 17
visit by Israel Defense Minister Barak;
-- noted that Barak was not optimistic on deterring Tehran's
nuclear ambitions, but sees Iran's goal as regional hegemony
rather than targeting Israel;
-- lamented as "unacceptable" the recent ruling by the
Armenian Constitutional Court on the Turkey-Armenia Protocols;
-- urged that the US and EU issue statements opposing Iraq's
recent banning of Sunni politicians;
-- reported that India will not be invited to the January 26
Afghanistan regional summit in Istanbul. END SUMMARY.
Turkey-Israel
--------------
2. (C) Sinirlioglu said January 17 discussions with visiting
Israeli Defense Minister Barak had been excellent, and would
contribute to an improved relationship. "For the first time,
they apologized" for their treatment of the Turkish
ambassador in Jerusalem. The Ambassador pressed for
specifics on the visit. Sinirlioglu said Barak indicated the
Israelis would soon open up Gaza for humanitarian aid, in
particular in the construction field. It would let in aid
workers without conditions. Still, Sinirlioglu said his
expectations were "not high," but he understood that Barak
would make an effort. Barak understood the importance of the
Turkey-Israel "strategic alliance" on broader issues.
3. (C) On Iran, Barak was not optimistic. He believed Tehran
would do whatever it could to conclude its nuclear program.
He did not expect diplomacy to work. Still, he did not see
this as Israel's problem. He did not believe Israel would be
the target. Tehran's objective is hegemony in the region.
The real danger is proliferation. As more regimes acquire
nuclear capability, the risk increases that nuclear weapons
will fall into the hands of terrorist groups. Sinirlioglu
said Ankara "again" made clear to Barak that it does not want
a nuclear Iran. (COMMENT: Readouts we have from the Israelis
here (SEPTEL) and from Tel Aviv modify somewhat the above.
Sinirlioglu was too optimisitc on several points.)
4. (C) Sinirlioglu said Barak indicated he favors the renewal
of Turkey's mediation role between Israel and Syria.
Armenia
--------------
5. (C) Sinirlioglu spoke at some length about the recent
decision by the Armenian Constitutional Court regarding the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols. This decision suggests that
Yerevan cannot proceed, he said. It sets a number of
preconditions which are "unacceptable." Specifically,
Sinirlioglu claimed, paragraph 5 of the Court's decision
stipulates that the Protocols cannot be applied in a way that
would contradict the preamble of the Armenian Constitution
and paragraph 11 of the Armenian Declaration of Independence
-- both of which refer to the need for international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
6. (C) Sinirlioglu said the MFA views this as a "serious
development" and planned to issue a statement emphasizing
that the Court's ruling contradicts the "letter and spirit of
the Protocols." If interpreted as the Court seems to insist,
he said, it would be "unacceptable." He pointed out that the
Court ruling also refers to "western Armenia," which suggests
that Yerevan has aspirations toward part of Turkey. He said
Ankara remains committed to both the letter and spirit of the
Protocols, and hopes that Yerevan will change its position.
He planned to call EUR A/S Gordon. FM Davutoglu planned to
telephone the Secretary and the Swiss foreign minister.
ANKARA 00000108 002 OF 002
Nagorno-Karabakh
--------------
7. (C) The Ambassador informed Sinirlioglu that the Secretary
is committed to another round of actions to encourage
movement on Nagorno-Karabakh. Deputy Secretary Steinberg
would soon visit the region. Meanwhile, OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chair Bradtke would visit Ankara on January 28.
Cyprus
--------------
8. (C) The Ambassador said Washington is closely following
the Cyprus talks, and appreciated the flexibility shown by
the Turkish Cypriot side with its cross-voting proposal,
without commenting on its substance. He encouraged
Sinirlioglu to continue being creative and forward-leaning.
In particular, he noted, anything Ankara can do to indicate
its readiness to resolve the international aspects of the
Cyprus problem would be helpful.
Iraq
--------------
9. (C) Sinirlioglu expressed concern about the banning of
Saleh Mutlaq, and said Turkey also understands that more
Sunnis could be banned, which could lead to the Sunnis being
excluded from the election process. He said Ankara hopes the
USG and EU will issue statements about the need for the
elections to be inclusive. "If you're inactive or just
watching, you'll help those trying to undermine the
elections," he said.
Afghanistan
--------------
10. (C) The Ambassador said SRAP Holbrooke has been pleased
with the extent of US-Turkey cooperation on Afghanistan and
Pakistan. Sinirlioglu reported that the Indians would not be
invited to the January 26 regional summit on Afghanistan,
because the summit was a Pakistani initiative and therefore
such a move required Pakistani consent, which was not
forthcoming. India has been informed by the Turks. He noted
that the Fourth Trilateral (AF-PAK-TU) Summit would take
place on January 25, and that the chiefs of intelligence of
all three countries also would meet that day. Meanwhile,
Education Ministers from these countries would meet on
January 19. Sinilioglu noted that Turkey is "not happy" with
the Karzai government's performance, and would tell him so at
the Trilateral.
Copenhagen, Internet
--------------
11. (C) The Ambassador used the opportunity to press
Sinirlioglu on signing up to the Copenhagen Accord, for which
the deadline is January 31 (REF B),passing over our talking
points. Sinirlioglu was noncommittal. The Ambassador also
gave Sinirlioglu a heads up on the Secretary's Internet
speech scheduled for January 21. The speech would not single
out Turkey, the Ambassador noted, but would likely produce
attention on Turkey's posture regarding "YouTube" and freedom
of expression on the Internet.
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR TU
SUBJECT: MFA UNDERSECRETARY: BARAK VISIT A SUCCESS
REF: A. ANKARA 58
B. ANKARA 89
Classified By: Ambassador James Jeffrey, for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. SUMMARY. In a wide-ranging discussion with the Ambassador
January 18, MFA Undersecretary Sinirlioglu:
-- was upbeat on Turkey-Israel relations after the January 17
visit by Israel Defense Minister Barak;
-- noted that Barak was not optimistic on deterring Tehran's
nuclear ambitions, but sees Iran's goal as regional hegemony
rather than targeting Israel;
-- lamented as "unacceptable" the recent ruling by the
Armenian Constitutional Court on the Turkey-Armenia Protocols;
-- urged that the US and EU issue statements opposing Iraq's
recent banning of Sunni politicians;
-- reported that India will not be invited to the January 26
Afghanistan regional summit in Istanbul. END SUMMARY.
Turkey-Israel
--------------
2. (C) Sinirlioglu said January 17 discussions with visiting
Israeli Defense Minister Barak had been excellent, and would
contribute to an improved relationship. "For the first time,
they apologized" for their treatment of the Turkish
ambassador in Jerusalem. The Ambassador pressed for
specifics on the visit. Sinirlioglu said Barak indicated the
Israelis would soon open up Gaza for humanitarian aid, in
particular in the construction field. It would let in aid
workers without conditions. Still, Sinirlioglu said his
expectations were "not high," but he understood that Barak
would make an effort. Barak understood the importance of the
Turkey-Israel "strategic alliance" on broader issues.
3. (C) On Iran, Barak was not optimistic. He believed Tehran
would do whatever it could to conclude its nuclear program.
He did not expect diplomacy to work. Still, he did not see
this as Israel's problem. He did not believe Israel would be
the target. Tehran's objective is hegemony in the region.
The real danger is proliferation. As more regimes acquire
nuclear capability, the risk increases that nuclear weapons
will fall into the hands of terrorist groups. Sinirlioglu
said Ankara "again" made clear to Barak that it does not want
a nuclear Iran. (COMMENT: Readouts we have from the Israelis
here (SEPTEL) and from Tel Aviv modify somewhat the above.
Sinirlioglu was too optimisitc on several points.)
4. (C) Sinirlioglu said Barak indicated he favors the renewal
of Turkey's mediation role between Israel and Syria.
Armenia
--------------
5. (C) Sinirlioglu spoke at some length about the recent
decision by the Armenian Constitutional Court regarding the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols. This decision suggests that
Yerevan cannot proceed, he said. It sets a number of
preconditions which are "unacceptable." Specifically,
Sinirlioglu claimed, paragraph 5 of the Court's decision
stipulates that the Protocols cannot be applied in a way that
would contradict the preamble of the Armenian Constitution
and paragraph 11 of the Armenian Declaration of Independence
-- both of which refer to the need for international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
6. (C) Sinirlioglu said the MFA views this as a "serious
development" and planned to issue a statement emphasizing
that the Court's ruling contradicts the "letter and spirit of
the Protocols." If interpreted as the Court seems to insist,
he said, it would be "unacceptable." He pointed out that the
Court ruling also refers to "western Armenia," which suggests
that Yerevan has aspirations toward part of Turkey. He said
Ankara remains committed to both the letter and spirit of the
Protocols, and hopes that Yerevan will change its position.
He planned to call EUR A/S Gordon. FM Davutoglu planned to
telephone the Secretary and the Swiss foreign minister.
ANKARA 00000108 002 OF 002
Nagorno-Karabakh
--------------
7. (C) The Ambassador informed Sinirlioglu that the Secretary
is committed to another round of actions to encourage
movement on Nagorno-Karabakh. Deputy Secretary Steinberg
would soon visit the region. Meanwhile, OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chair Bradtke would visit Ankara on January 28.
Cyprus
--------------
8. (C) The Ambassador said Washington is closely following
the Cyprus talks, and appreciated the flexibility shown by
the Turkish Cypriot side with its cross-voting proposal,
without commenting on its substance. He encouraged
Sinirlioglu to continue being creative and forward-leaning.
In particular, he noted, anything Ankara can do to indicate
its readiness to resolve the international aspects of the
Cyprus problem would be helpful.
Iraq
--------------
9. (C) Sinirlioglu expressed concern about the banning of
Saleh Mutlaq, and said Turkey also understands that more
Sunnis could be banned, which could lead to the Sunnis being
excluded from the election process. He said Ankara hopes the
USG and EU will issue statements about the need for the
elections to be inclusive. "If you're inactive or just
watching, you'll help those trying to undermine the
elections," he said.
Afghanistan
--------------
10. (C) The Ambassador said SRAP Holbrooke has been pleased
with the extent of US-Turkey cooperation on Afghanistan and
Pakistan. Sinirlioglu reported that the Indians would not be
invited to the January 26 regional summit on Afghanistan,
because the summit was a Pakistani initiative and therefore
such a move required Pakistani consent, which was not
forthcoming. India has been informed by the Turks. He noted
that the Fourth Trilateral (AF-PAK-TU) Summit would take
place on January 25, and that the chiefs of intelligence of
all three countries also would meet that day. Meanwhile,
Education Ministers from these countries would meet on
January 19. Sinilioglu noted that Turkey is "not happy" with
the Karzai government's performance, and would tell him so at
the Trilateral.
Copenhagen, Internet
--------------
11. (C) The Ambassador used the opportunity to press
Sinirlioglu on signing up to the Copenhagen Accord, for which
the deadline is January 31 (REF B),passing over our talking
points. Sinirlioglu was noncommittal. The Ambassador also
gave Sinirlioglu a heads up on the Secretary's Internet
speech scheduled for January 21. The speech would not single
out Turkey, the Ambassador noted, but would likely produce
attention on Turkey's posture regarding "YouTube" and freedom
of expression on the Internet.
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"