US embassy cable - 04ANKARA5845

S E C R E T ANKARA 005845 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2014 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, IR, TU 
SUBJECT: IRANIAN INTERFERENCE IN IRAQ: TURKS SAY IRAQI 
SHIAS MUST SPEAK OUT 
 
REF: STATE 218335 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (S) DCM called on MFA Director General for Middle East 
Tahsin Burcuoglu Oct. 13 to deliver reftel demarche.  DCM 
emphasized that Turkey--as a neighbor to both countries and 
as Chairman-in-Office of the OIC--was in a key position to 
deliver a meaningful message to Iran on its interference in 
Iraq.  Burcuoglu shared our concerns about Iranian activity 
in Iraq, and reported that Iraqi authorities he meets 
universally condemn Iran's interference.  (Note: He added 
that a recent notable exception was KDP leader Masud Barzani 
on his recent visit to Ankara; readout on this visit reported 
septel.  End note.) 
 
2. (S) Burcuoglu reported that Turkey has in the past (most 
recently at the UNGA) and will in the future raise this issue 
with the Iranians (albeit in a non-confrontational way), but 
lamented that a key opportunity to do so had been lost when 
President Khatami canceled his planned October visit to 
Ankara.  He said that Turkish President Sezer had been 
prepared to "send a strong message" to Khatami on Iraq. 
Burcuoglu predicted that most Gulf states would be unwilling 
to approach Iran on its activities, though the Saudis "might" 
do so.  Burcuoglu did not make any commitment as to whether 
Turkey would work for an OIC statement/approach to Iran, but 
said he would pass this request on to higher authorities. 
 
3. (S) However, Burcuoglu insisted, third countries will not 
be able to persuade Tehran to cease and desist.  Only when 
the major Shia parties in Iraq--he named SCIRI and 
al-Da'wa--or major Shia leaders such as Sistani openly 
criticize Iranian interference will Tehran even consider 
backing off.  Until Iraqi Shias themselves criticize Iran, 
the Iranians will exploit the perception that they have been 
invited to carry out their activities in Iraq by the 
country's Shias.  Burcuoglu said he believes that some Iraqi 
Shia leaders are uncomfortable with Iran's unconstructive 
role, but are unwilling to go on the record with these 
concerns. 
 
4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN