Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ANKARA58
2010-01-13 14:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH-ISRAELI SPAT COULD JEOPARDIZE BARAK VISIT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000058
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IS
SUBJECT: TURKISH-ISRAELI SPAT COULD JEOPARDIZE BARAK VISIT
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey; Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000058
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IS
SUBJECT: TURKISH-ISRAELI SPAT COULD JEOPARDIZE BARAK VISIT
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey; Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) During a January 13 conversation with us, Israeli
Embassy spokesman Amit Zarouk registered concern the ongoing
"statements" spat between the Turkish and Israeli Ministries
of Foreign Affair would jeopardize the January 17 visit of
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Ankara. According to
Turkish media sources, the spat arose from Israeli Deputy
Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon's perceived effort to humiliate
Turkish ambassador to Israel Oguz Celikkol after convoking
the latter to complain about the alleged anti-Israeli content
of a popular Turkish television drama, "Valley of the
Wolves."
2. (C) Zarouk reported the Turkish MFA had rejected both
Ayalon's January 13 "statement" that any perceived insult was
unintentional and PM Netanyahu's subsequent characterization
of the Ayalon statement as an "apology." Zarouk said the
Turkish MFA is insisting on Ayalon's "personal and direct
apology." Absent that apology, the Israeli Embassy here
expects Turkey to recall Celikkol. During the early
afternoon of January 13, President Gul, whom we had viewed as
especially receptive to a rehabilitation of the
Turkish-Israeli relationship, issued an ultimatum threatening
to recall Celikkol if the GoI did not apologize "by this
evening" for his mistreatment.
3. (C) During a separate conversation with us, MFA Israeli
desk officer Rauf Denktas refused to characterize his
ministry's position as conditioning the Barak visit on an
official GoI apology for Celikkol's mistreatment.
Nevertheless, he implied an apology is prerequisite to
"further discussions" with the Israelis on visit modalities.
4. (C) COMMENT: We are engaging the Turkish MFA and Israeli
Embassy in an effort to insulate the Barak visit from the
emotional Turkish-Israeli diplomatic exchange. There is
plenty of blame to go around on this. The Turks simply do
not recognize how their ever more recklessly anti-Israeli
actions and Erdogan's statements contribute to the atmosphere
that either provoked or was exploited by Ayalon.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IS
SUBJECT: TURKISH-ISRAELI SPAT COULD JEOPARDIZE BARAK VISIT
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey; Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) During a January 13 conversation with us, Israeli
Embassy spokesman Amit Zarouk registered concern the ongoing
"statements" spat between the Turkish and Israeli Ministries
of Foreign Affair would jeopardize the January 17 visit of
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Ankara. According to
Turkish media sources, the spat arose from Israeli Deputy
Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon's perceived effort to humiliate
Turkish ambassador to Israel Oguz Celikkol after convoking
the latter to complain about the alleged anti-Israeli content
of a popular Turkish television drama, "Valley of the
Wolves."
2. (C) Zarouk reported the Turkish MFA had rejected both
Ayalon's January 13 "statement" that any perceived insult was
unintentional and PM Netanyahu's subsequent characterization
of the Ayalon statement as an "apology." Zarouk said the
Turkish MFA is insisting on Ayalon's "personal and direct
apology." Absent that apology, the Israeli Embassy here
expects Turkey to recall Celikkol. During the early
afternoon of January 13, President Gul, whom we had viewed as
especially receptive to a rehabilitation of the
Turkish-Israeli relationship, issued an ultimatum threatening
to recall Celikkol if the GoI did not apologize "by this
evening" for his mistreatment.
3. (C) During a separate conversation with us, MFA Israeli
desk officer Rauf Denktas refused to characterize his
ministry's position as conditioning the Barak visit on an
official GoI apology for Celikkol's mistreatment.
Nevertheless, he implied an apology is prerequisite to
"further discussions" with the Israelis on visit modalities.
4. (C) COMMENT: We are engaging the Turkish MFA and Israeli
Embassy in an effort to insulate the Barak visit from the
emotional Turkish-Israeli diplomatic exchange. There is
plenty of blame to go around on this. The Turks simply do
not recognize how their ever more recklessly anti-Israeli
actions and Erdogan's statements contribute to the atmosphere
that either provoked or was exploited by Ayalon.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"