US embassy cable - 05ANKARA6546

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006546 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PGOV, PINS, IR, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKEY: FM GUL DODGES ISSUE OF IRANIAN EXTREMISM 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 6518 
 
     B. SECSTATE 199863 
     C. SECSTATE 199225 
 
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b, d). 
 
1. (C)  We delivered reftel demarches to the MFA on October 
31, emphasizing the need for the GOT to make clear its 
rejection of Ahmadi-Nejad's violent and irresponsible 
rhetoric.  Acting Director General for Middle Eastern Affairs 
Ambassador Aydin Evirgen promised us that Gul would deliver a 
strong message condemning the Iranian statement at a November 
1 press conference. 
 
2. (C) At the press conference, Gul failed to criticize 
Ahmadi-Nejad's statement in either the text of his prepared 
remarks or in response to a direct question from the press. 
Gul,s half-hour prepared statement provided a tour 
d,horizon of ongoing regional issues.  On the subject of 
Iran, all he said was that Iran should cooperate with the 
IAEA and be open and transparent regarding its pursuit of 
nuclear energy.  Gul made no reference to the Ahmadi-Nejad 
statement. 
 
3. (C) After Gul,s prepared remarks, the first journalist to 
ask a question stated that there had been widespread 
condemnation of the remarks and queried Gul why the GOT had 
not condemned the Iranian statement.  Gul responded that the 
Prime Minister and the MFA had made sufficient statements. 
(Note: Both had responded to questions, see para 4, below, 
for their statements.  End note.)  Turkey had, openly and 
clearly, shared and agreed with the reactions of the 
international community in this regard.  Let no one try to 
direct us.  The region needs peace, and Turkey is always 
against anything that could harm regional peace.  Turkey, as 
a country in the region, attaches importance to being part of 
the solution to regional problems; in this context, Turkey 
wishes that new enmities not emerge in this region. 
 
4. (C) Gul,s press conference was not the first time Turkish 
officials had declined adequately to address Ahmadi-Nejad's 
statement.  On October 27 at a London press conference, Prime 
Minister Erdogan was asked a question about the Iranian 
statement; he responded that he hoped the Iranian President 
would return to moderation, and that Turkey would determine 
its own foreign policy.  On October 28, MFA spokesman Namik 
Tan responded to a similar question by stating that it was 
"not possible to approve" of Ahmadi-Nejad's statement.  He 
stated that "Turkey continues to pursue relations with all 
countries in the region based on mutual respect and 
cooperation and believes that the conflicts in the region can 
only be resolved through dialogue and peaceful methods baed 
on international legitimacy." 
 
5. (C) Israeli DCM Nahshon related to us that their 
Ambassador saw Gul the afternoon of November 1, and delivered 
a letter from FM Shalom, requesting that the GOT speak out on 
the Ahmedi-Nejad remarks.  Nahshon characterized the meeting 
as "good."  Gul reportedly told the Israelis that the GOT 
statements "sound stronger in Turkish than in English" and 
said the GOT would "send a clear message" to Tehran that 
Turkey is worried about Iranian statements as well as its 
nuclear ambitions.  Gul did not say how or when this message 
would be conveyed, nor did he react to the Israeli suggestion 
that the MFA summon the Iranian ambassador and demand an 
explanation. 
 
6.  (C) Comment.  We believe that Ambassador Evirgen 
genuinely expected Gul to deliver a strong condemnation of 
Iran, but Gul chose not to follow his ministry,s advice. 
This is highly unfortunate and put the Turks out of step with 
key partners in NATO and the EU.  We will follow up with Gul 
and with the Prime Minister to urge a more direct public 
statement and to ensure that they understand the gravity of 
this situation and the incresing threat that Iranian 
extremism poses to the entire region.  End Comment. 
MCELDOWNEY