TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRAN'S CANDIDACY FOR THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002448 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2021 TAGS: PHUM, KUNR, UNHRC-1, PREL, TU SUBJECT: TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRAN'S CANDIDACY FOR THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: SECSTATE 66050 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche May 2 to Turkish MFA International Political Organizations Deputy Director General Tunc Ugdul. Ugdul told us that he was already well aware of the USG position vis--vis Iran,s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The GOT is still considering various requests for support of membership on the UNHRC. He said the GOT has tentatively identified some of the countries it will support based on bilateral relations, mutual support agreements and general trends. When the GOT makes a final decision later this week, he assured us that the Turks would take into account the USG position which, coming from a strategic ally, they take very seriously. 2. (C) Comment: Our read is that the Turks will not vote for Iran, but that they want to keep this as far under the radar screen as possible. End comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON