NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS GIVE CONDITIONAL "GREEN

S E C R E T ANKARA 008639 SIPDIS FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2012 TAGS: OREP ASEC AFIN TU IZ SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS GIVE CONDITIONAL "GREEN LIGHT" TO CODEL BIDEN'S REQUEST REF: A) ANKARA 8638 B) STATE 241093 C) ANKARA 7563 (U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (S) MFA DG for Middle Eastern Affairs Burcuoglu notified DCM November 26 that the GOT had approved Codel Biden's request to travel to northern Iraq via Turkey December 4-5 (refs a-b). However, given the Ramadan holiday (December 4 at 1300 through December 7),Burcuoglu said that appropriate GOT officials would not be available to meet with the Codel December 6 upon its return from northern Iraq. Burcuoglu stressed the importance the GOT attaches to meeting with visiting USG officials and Codels, and expressed hope the Codel could adjust its schedule to arrive in Ankara in time to meet with GOT officials December 4 in the morning (before the start of the holiday.) Despite the busy schedule that day (UK FM Straw, Greek FM Papendreau, other USD distinguished visitors),Burcuoglu said they would arrange appropriate meetings. ¶3. (S) Burcuoglu reminded the DCM of the preconditions attached to the GOT's approval for Staffdel Talwar to travel to northern Iraq via Turkey in October -- one-time deal and no publicity (ref b) -- and said these conditions still applied. Recognizing that it would be difficult to avoid publicity given the Codel's visibility, Burcuoglu expressed hope that the visit could be handled in such as a way as to avoid negative reactions in the Turkish press and additional requests to travel to northern Iraq via Turkey by other US and European VIPs or interested individuals. ¶4. (S) Action request: Embassy requests that the Department advise Codel Biden of the "conditions" that the MFA attached to its approval for the visit (i.e. one-time deal and no publicity). Embassy also asks that the Department inform the Codel that GOT officials would only be available December 4 in the morning. We believe it is important for the Senators to hold these meetings. If the Codel concurs, the Embassy will officially request appointments with appropriate GOT officials. PEARSON