US embassy cable - 05ANKARA3499

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003499 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, PTER, EPET, ECON, TU, IR 
SUBJECT: READOUT OF TURKISH MFA U/S TUYGAN'S MEETING IN 
TEHRAN WITH IRANIAN DFM AMINZADEH 
 
REF: 2004 ANKARA 4421 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary: MFA Iran Department Head Ulku (who did not 
go on the trip) asserts U/S Tuygan delivered a "crystal 
clear" message on Iran's nuclear program and the need to 
cooperate with the EU-3 and IAEA to DFM Aminzadeh June 11 but 
admitted Tuygan cloaked his message in diplomatic niceties. 
Without mentioning the U.S., Aminzadeh claimed Iran supports 
the Iraqi Transitional Government but is concerned at the 
situation in the north  Tuygan reportedly urged the Iranians 
to continue implementing their bilateral security agreement 
against the PKK; Turkey is "generally satisfied" with Iran's 
current efforts.  Tuygan demurred on a renewed Iranian 
proposal for a gas pipeline through Turkey.  End summary. 
 
 
Atmospherics 
------------ 
 
2. (C) Ulku was at pains to characterize Tuygan's visit as 
"business as usual" and a "protocol visit" in return for 
Aminzadeh's visits to Turkey.  Tuygan "felt obliged" to do 
this, according to Ulku, before the Iranian MFA is reshuffled 
in the wake of elections.  Ulku described the talks as "warm 
and friendly," with both men agreeing bilateral relations are 
"generally positive." 
 
Iranian Nuclear Program 
----------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Ulku claimed that Tuygan was "crystal clear" with 
Aminzadeh about Iran's nuclear program.  According to Ulku, 
Tuygan expressed concern for "nuclear proliferation in our 
region."  When we pressed Ulku about whether Tuygan was any 
more specific, Ulku told us Tuygan used "diplomatic niceties" 
and was "candid but tactful." 
 
4.  (C) Tuygan conceded to Aminzadeh Iran's "right" to 
develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy.  Tuygan reportedly 
expressed "strong" support for the EU-3 process and urged 
Iranian compliance with the IAEA.  Ulku said Aminzadeh 
appeared "comfortable" addressing the nuclear issue, claiming 
that Iran has undergone 1000 inspections over the past two 
years and is working with the IAEA. 
 
5.  (C) Aminzadeh reportedly acknowledged that the U.S. 
attitude on the EU-3 process is positive and claimed that the 
U.S. has made some overtures toward Iran.  However Aminzadeh 
asserted that the U.S. insistence on cessation of all 
enrichment activity is making the process difficult; he 
encouraged a more "flexible" U.S. approach.  He claimed to 
Tuygan that Iran is developing nuclear power for the 
long-term economic health of the country; Tuygan did not 
confront him with the fact that Iran had kept this 
supposedly-peaceful program covert.  However, Aminzadeh said 
Iran does not trust the West because Germany ceased Iran's 
nuclear program in 1986. 
 
Iraq 
---- 
 
6.  (C) Aminzadeh claimed to be supportive of the Iraqi 
Transitional Government and PM Jaffari.  According to Ulku, 
Aminzadeh did not disparage or even mention the U.S. role in 
Iraq.  He asserted Iran is trying to play a constructive role 
in Iraq.  He did, however, express concern over the situation 
in northern Iraq, particularly Kirkuk, and criticized the 
opening of the Kurdistan regional parliament.  Tuygan told 
him Turkey shares the concerns about the north and Kirkuk. 
 
PKK 
--- 
 
7. (C) Tuygan told Aminzadeh Turkey expects Iran's continued 
implementation of the bilateral security agreement on the 
PKK.  Aminzadeh reportedly reiterated that Iran considers the 
PKK a terrorist group. 
 
8.  (C) Ulku said that the MFA has a "positive view" of 
Iran's efforts to control the PKK.  The Iranian 
"administration" is making "genuine efforts" to control the 
PKK, he asserted, although other Iranian entities (NFI) "may 
have different agendas."  Ulku estimated there are 600-700 
PKK in Iran and that they "come and go." 
 
Afghanistan 
----------- 
 
9.  (C) Aminzadeh claimed Iran deserves credit for helping 
the U.S. overthrow the Taliban and this demonstrates Iran can 
be "flexible" in its approach to the U.S.  He professed to be 
upbeat about the situation on the ground and, according to 
Ulku, recognized the need for a "foreign presence" there. 
 
Bilateral Economic and Energy Issues 
------------------------------------ 
 
10.  (C) Tuygan and Aminzadeh agreed bilateral economic 
trends are positive.  Aminzadeh again pushed for quick 
Turkish agreement to build a gas pipeline through Turkey to 
export Iranian gas to Europe (reftel).  Tuygan demurred, 
replying that Turkey is open to discussing the project but 
considers it a complex technical issue requiring extended 
negotiation.  Tuygan told Aminzadeh that Turkey's request to 
reduce gas prices under Turkey's 1996 agreement with Iran 
should remain between the companies involved and not be used 
as leverage for other issues (i.e., accession to the Iranian 
pipeline request). 
 
11.  (C) Tuygan said the negative experience of the 
Turkish/Austrian TAV consortium at Khomenei Airport is not an 
encouraging sign for foreign investors.  Aminzadeh tried to 
explain this away as a domestic political debate between 
reformists and conservatives that did not target Turkey. 
Ulku told us that TAV definitely will not operate the 
airport, has begun to transport building materials back to 
Turkey, and is seeking indemnification from Iran. 
MCELDOWNEY