Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA1966
2003-03-26 12:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TFIZ01: TGS CHIEF OF STAFF ISSUES STATEMENT ON TU

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001966 

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: TFIZ01: TGS CHIEF OF STAFF ISSUES STATEMENT ON TU
PRESENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ


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


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001966

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: TFIZ01: TGS CHIEF OF STAFF ISSUES STATEMENT ON TU
PRESENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ


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



1. (C) On March 26, Turkish General Staff CHOD General Hilmi
Ozkok issued a public statement on the current presence of TU
forces in northern Iraq and future Turkish intentions in the
region.



2. (U) Following are excerpts of the statement (a complete
English-language text will follow septel):


--Certain elements of the Turkish Armed Forces are currently
in northern Iraq;


--Turkish forces are not planning to intervene in the region
unless there is an attack against Turkish forces there,
unless there is a refugee influx, unless one of the groups in
the region attacks the other, or unless the civilian
population is attacked.


--Turkish forces are not planning to send additional forces
to northern Iraq;


--The United States is currently waging a war in the region,
and when we (the Turks) send units there (northern Iraq),
coordination will be conducted;


--Turkish forces do not intend to fight or to invade;


--Turkish forces are not there (northern Iraq) permanently;
and,


--Turkish forces will not engage in clashes in the region
other than in order to defend themselves.



3. (U) Ozkok also expressed concern about what he described
as the "suspicious
attitudes" of certain institutions, international
organizations, and certain allied countries regarding
Turkey's position, including criticism leveled by foreign
countries who feel threatened by the efforts of the Turkish
forces, who are making preparations because of the
developments in northern Iraq.



4. (C) Comment: Ozkok's statement stands on its own.
Seeking further elaboration at this time could expose
divisions within TGS or with the GOT. We recommend that the
USG refrain from asking the Turks to elaborate on Ozkok's
statement before SPE Khalilzad returns to Ankara for his
March 29 meetings with the Turks.



5. (U) Amb. Khalilzad has cleared this message.
PEARSON