US embassy cable - 04ANKARA4112

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004112 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, ECON, ENRG, TU, IR 
SUBJECT: TURKISH PM ERDOGAN'S JULY 27-29 TRIP TO IRAN: U.S. 
DEMARCHE ON NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, TERRORISM, NATURAL GAS 
 
REF: STATE 157900 
 
Classified By: (U) CDA Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.4 b,d. 
 
 1. (C) In delivering reftel demarche July 22 to MFA DDG for 
South Asia Evirgen, polcounselor noted our understanding that 
Turkey shares U.S. views on the need for sharp improvement in 
Iranian behavior.  The USG has strong interest in seeing PM 
Erdogan deliver crisp, unambiguous messages to Tehran 
regarding nuclear proliferation and terrorism; we also expect 
Turkey to take account of ILSA and to refuse any project to 
transship Iranian natural gas, or other origin natural gas 
through Iran, to western Europe.  Charge delivered demarche 
in parallel to ruling AKP MP Egemen Bagis, a foreign policy 
advisor to Erdogan; Bagis undertook to pass the demarche to 
Erdogan. 
 
2. (C) Noting that he was preparing MFA draft talking points 
for Erdogan, Evirgen commented that he could not be certain 
how strongly Erdogan would deliver the messages. 
Nevertheless, Evirgen reiterated standard GOT preoccupation 
with Iran's nuclear program and the GOT position that Iran 
should comply with IAEA and ratify additional protocol. 
 
3. (C) Evincing surprise that Iran would not be working for 
stability in Iraq, given that achievement of stability would 
be the best and quickest way to ensure departure of foreign 
forces, he noted that Turkey always raises terrorism in 
discussions with Iran. 
 
4. (C) Regarding the natural gas project, Evirgen reiterated 
that Turkey feels under constant pressure from both Iran and 
western European countries to accede to a pipeline 
transshipment project.  Moreover, the Iranians assert they 
have alternatives, either LNG shipments through the Gulf or 
by a proposed pipeline through Armenia, Georgia, Russia and 
Ukraine.  On a broader plane, increased Turco-Iranian 
commerce would help open Iran to western influences.  At the 
same time, Evirgen averred, Turkey, like the U.S., would 
prefer a pipeline directly from Caspian and Central Asian 
producers, but these producers continue to drag their feet. 
DEUTSCH