TFIZ01: MFA ON SOURCING AND TRANSIT OF FOOD FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001971

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR PRM/ANE, EUR/SE AND NEA/NGA
DEPT PASS USAID FOR BHA/OFDA - WGARVELINK AND FFP
EUCOM FOR JE, JR, J5, SOJ7 AND POLAD
GENEVA FOR RMA
CENTCOM FOR J3, J5 AND POLAD


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2013
TAGS: EAID IZ PREF PREL TU
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: MFA ON SOURCING AND TRANSIT OF FOOD FOR
IRAQ AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ISSUES


(U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch for
reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


Summary:
--------------



1. (C) Emboffs and Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
Leader discussed humanitarian planning issues on March 26
with Feza Ozturk, MFA Head of Department for International
Political Organizations. In response to a looming shortage
of wheat flour in northern Iraq, the World Food Program has
applied to MFA for permission to send 6,000 tons of wheat
flour across the border. Turkey will shortly approve release
of 50,000 tons of wheat flour from its strategic reserve for
humanitarian purposes. Ozturk confirmed that internally
displaced persons (IDPs) had not sought refuge on Turkey,s
borders. Ozturk expects in the next several days to initiate
the ad hoc humanitarian aid coordination group suggested by
A/S Dewey earlier this month. End Summary.


WFP Transit:
--------------



2. (SBU) Ozturk told us that John Murray, the UN World Food
Program Emergency Coordinator, had contacted him about
emerging food shortages in northern Iraq, which had not
received as great a level of advance rations as the center
and south prior to the conflict. Turkey is prepared to
release 50,000 metric tons of wheat flour for Iraq from its
strategic reserve, which would then be replenished by WFP.
Ozturk stated that this would require Cabinet approval,
expected within days. Turkey would do everything possible to
facilitate transportation of food relief to northern Iraq,
but Ozturk warned that there could be transport bottlenecks
slowing down the flow of aid. He said the key problem is
security for Turkish drivers and equipment delivering food to
Iraq.



3. (SBU) Murray told us later in the day that WFP was trying
to address a Kurdistan Democratic Party request for wheat
flour, and that he had formally requested MFA approval to
ship 6,000 tons to Erbil on an emergency basis. He said WFP
had not addressed the security issue on the Iraqi side yet,
but guessed that KDP authorities would make the necessary
security arrangements.


Current Situation on the Border and in Northern Iraq:
-------------- --------------



4. (SBU) Ozturk confirmed that IDPs have not arrived at the
Turkish border. Instead, IDPs appear to be headed for rural
areas, and particularly to higher elevations about 6 to 12
hours from the border. Turkey has not set up any camps and
will not do so until they are needed.


Coordination Mechanism:
--------------



5. (C) Ozturk advised that the Turkish General Staff and
other agencies had approved the concept of MFA hosting an ad
hoc, civilian humanitarian assistance coordination meeting
with the UN agencies and Embassy representatives. He told us
he could not call the first meeting until he received written
confirmation of the interagency decision, which he expected
in the next day or two. Ozturk suggested the initial meeting
include MFA, Embassy and a UNHCR representative. Mission
Disaster Relief Officer encouraged Ozturk to include a
broader group from the UN, and particularly WFP. Ozturk said
he expected an interagency approval in the near future for
the U.S. request to site humanitarian daily rations in Turkey.


NGOs:
--------------



6. (U) Ozturk stated that MFA was reviewing NGO applications
for work in Turkey as well as for transit of goods to Iraq on
an expedited basis. He reiterated the GOT,s position that
NGOs would be permitted to cross the border to respond to
humanitarian needs, but that Turkey would consider carefully
how many and which organizations should be approved.
PEARSON