US embassy cable - 05ANKARA6771

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006771 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, SY, TU, SYRIA 
SUBJECT: READ-OUT OF FM GUL'S VISIT TO DAMASCUS 
 
REF: ANKARA 06706 
 
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b and d). 
 
1.  (U)  This message contains an action request.  See para 4. 
 
Summary and Action Request 
-------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  MFA Middle East DG Oguz Celikkol provided CDA a 
readout of FM Gul's brief November 16 visit to Damascus 
(reftel).  Celikkol reported Gul made most of the points in 
the U.S. non-paper and described Syrian President Bashar 
al-Asad as "very receptive." On the Kamal Labwani detention, 
Asad said he would do what he could.  Asad told Gul Syria had 
implemented a new border control regime at Damascus 
International Airport ten days ago to restrict travel of 
young men and suggested they would be willing to provide the 
U.S. the names of suspicious travelers returned to their home 
countries.  Asad also proposed a trilateral dialogue between 
Turkey, the U.S., and Syria to discuss regional issues.  On 
the Mehlis investigation, Asad reportedly told UNSYG Annan 
that Syria was open to questioning of persons of interest, 
including members of his family, at a UN Disengagement 
Observer Force (UNDOF) facility.  Asad told Gul those found 
complicit in the Hariri assassination would be punished, but 
Syria did not want to be "humiliated" in the process. 
 
3.  (C)  Gul said he would call Secretary Rice and Annan to 
brief on his visit.  CDA expressed reservations about a 
trilateral dialogue, discouraged Turkey from further 
high-level contacts with Damascus, and emphasized we want to 
see concrete steps from Syria.  In an aside, Celikkol opined 
that Syrian FM al-Shara would be the next old guard regime 
member to leave the political scene. 
 
4.  (C)  Action request.  Post requests Department views on 
Asad proposal for trilatral dialogue as well as apparent 
Syrian offer, through Gul, of access to names of persons 
turned back from Damascus airport.  End Summary and Action 
Request. 
 
Labwani Case 
------------ 
 
5.  (C)  Celikkol told CDA that Gul covered "most" items in 
the U.S. non-paper, focusing on Syria - Iraq border security, 
control of Damascus International Airport, the Lebanon-Syria 
relationship, and the Mehlis investigation.  During an 
hour-plus meeting, Gul reportedly found Asad "very receptive, 
open, and cordial."  Gul raised the arrest of Syrian 
opposition figure Kamal Labwani and questioned the wisdom of 
his detention.  Asad's response was reportedly positive and 
he pledged to do whatever he could.  Gul recounted Turkey's 
own experience with Kurdish activists and the "sacrifices" 
the GOT made in releasing Leyla Zana and others. 
 
New Airport Security Measures 
----------------------------- 
 
6.  (C)  On border security, Asad reportedly told Gul that 
the Syrian government had instituted new procedures ten days 
ago to restrict the travel through Damascus International 
Airport of suspicious young men aged 18 to mid-thirties. 
Asad proposed a trilateral Turkey, U.S., and Syria dialogue 
to discuss border security and regional issues.  Gul asked 
Asad for specifics on how Syria was implementing new border 
security measures at the airport, including details on how 
many young men had been returned to their home countries. 
Asad did not provide details, saying the program was too new, 
but offered to provide the names of non-Syrians who are 
turned back from the airport.  Celikkol said the Syrians are 
"ready to cooperate" and "open to suggestions" on how they 
can satisfy U.S. demands. 
 
Syrian Cooperation on Mehlis Investigation 
------------------------------------------ 
 
7.  (C)  Discussing the Mehlis investigation, Celikkol 
reported that Gul told Asad time was passing and Syrian 
cooperation with the UNIIIC was urgently necessary.  Asad 
reportedly responded he is willing to provide UNIIIC access 
to persons of interest, including members of his own family, 
as long as the process is not humiliating.  Asad rejected any 
questioning of Syrians in Lebanon but offered the UNDOF 
facility as an acceptable location.  Asad said he had 
informed UNSYG Annan of this and is awaiting a UN response. 
He reportedly confirmed to Gul his earlier pledge to punish 
as a traitor any Syrian found complicit in the Hariri 
assassination. 
 
Turkish Views and Our Reaction 
------------------------------ 
 
8.  (C)  Celikkol reiterated the Gul-Asad meeting was short, 
focused on key items of interest to the U.S., and did not 
cover bilateral issues.  He emphasized Turkey has no love 
lost for the Syrian regime but must deal with Syria as a 
neighbor.  Instability in Syria would have far worse effects 
on Turkey that that in Iraq, he asserted.  He insisted 
contacts at the highest level were necessary as this was the 
only way to get a clear message to Asad.  He said several 
times throughout the conversation that Turkey is willing to 
convey U.S. views and messages to the Syrian leadership.  On 
Asad's proposal of a tripartite border security committee, 
Celikkol stressed the GOT had not taken a position on the 
idea but saw it as a sign of Asad's willingness to be 
constructive.  However, Celikkol assured CDA that Turkey 
plans no further direct contacts with Syria at this time. 
Celikkol reiterated Turkey's fear of growing Iranian 
influence in Syria, noting that Iranian FM Motaki had 
recently met with Hizbullah leaders in Damascus. 
 
9.  (C)  Charge expressed appreciation for Celikkol's readout 
and Gul's efforts to advance our common agenda to change 
Syrian behavior.  She encouraged a Gul call to Secretary Rice 
and UNSYG Annan to brief them directly on his mission.  CDA 
was skeptical the tripartite committee proposal would be 
useful, stressing that the U.S. is waiting for very concrete 
changes in Syria's behavior.  CDA discouraged Turkey from 
undertaking any further contacts with Syrian authorities. 
Syria must not be led to believe it can further delay taking 
necessary measures.  We must now see what results 
international pressure and the Gul visit will have, she 
stressed. 
MCELDOWNEY