Turkey, a key Iranian neighbour and close trading partner, is uphill work, however. In November 2009, Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, chief architect of Ankara's policy of "zero problems with neighbours" and advocate of closer Turkish ties across the Middle East, tells US envoy Gordon that Iran cannot be bullied into compliance with western demands.
It is clearly a prickly encounter. When Gordon says Ankara should send a stern public message to Tehran about the consequences of ignoring UN resolutions, Davutoglu replies that [Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan made just such a statement during a recent visit to Tehran. "Only Turkey can speak bluntly and critically to the Iranians, Davutoglu contended, but only because Ankara is showing public messages of friendship."
The testy exchange continues: "Noting that Davutoglu had only addressed the negative consequences of sanctions or the use of military force, Gordon pressed Davutoglu on Ankara's assessment of the consequences if Iran gets a nuclear weapon.
Davutoglu gave a spirited reply, that 'of course' Turkey was aware of this risk. 'This is precisely why Turkey is working so hard with the Iranians.' "
Turkije en Iran, de Turken doen alleen lief zodat Iran geen kernwapens krijgt, aldus de Turken.
Wikileaks