TURKISH GENERAL STAFF TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS OEF

S E C R E T ANKARA 001744

SIPDIS


STATE FOR P, NEA/NGA, EUR/SE, PMAT, AND L; OSD FOR ISA, ISP
AND LEGAL; JCS FOR J3, J5 AND LEGAL; EUCOM FOR GEN. WALD,
J3, J4, J5, POLAD; CENTCOM FOR J3, J5 AND POLAD;


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKISH GENERAL STAFF TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS OEF
BLANKET CLEARANCE

(u) Classified by Ambassador W. Robert Pearson. Reasons:
1.5 (B and D)



1. (S) The Embassy learned late March 18 from AMCC Incirlik
that the Turkish General Staff (TGS) has temporarily
suspended the blanket clearance that the GOT had provided the
US for aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
(OEF). TGS Deputy J3 for Command and Control Maj. Gen. Ozer
reportedly took the decision to suspend the clearance after
learning that three USAF-contracted 747 aircraft had used the
blanket clearance to bring into Incirlik Air Base cargo in
support of site preparations. Ozer shares the widely-held
view among GOT civilian and military officials that the OEF
blanket clearance does not/not apply to aircraft delivering
site preparation-related material.



2. (S) The DATT has requested a meeting with Maj. Gen. Ozer
to discuss the issue in an effort to clarify any
misunderstanding that may have occurred and attempt to have
the OEF blanket clearance reinstated.



3. (S) Comment: In the Turks' minds, activities related to
Operation Enduring Freedom and those related to contingency
operations against Iraq (including site preparations) are
distinct and unrelated. MFA and TGS officials have cautioned
us against using OEF-related arrangements and procedures for
site preparation or other Iraq-related activities. In turn,
the Embassy, EUCOM Forward and the Office of Defense
Cooperation (ODC) have taken a number of steps to ensure
that, in the case of Iraq-related activities, the USG
continues to operate in Turkey within the strict confines of
the terms of the site preparation MOU. The recent incident
involving the USAF-contracted 747's that resulted in a
suspension of our OEF blanket clearance is an important
reminder of the GOT sensitivities on Iraq-related activity in
Turkey and highlights the importance of making sure that we
continue to operate according to the agreed upon arrangements
with the Turks.
PEARSON