RESUPPLY OF TROOPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ: REQUEST FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002121

SIPDIS


STATE FOR P, NEA/NGA, EUR/SE, PMAT, AND PM/L; OSD FOR ISA,
ISP AND LEGAL


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: RESUPPLY OF TROOPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ: REQUEST FOR
GUIDANCE


REF: A) STATE 81560 B)ANKARA 2063


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



1. (U) This is an action request. See para 6.


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RESUPPLY OF US FORCES
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2. (C) A/DCM, ECON counselor and TF-N/J4 representative met
with MFA DDG for the Americas Suna Ilicak and DDG for
Bilateral Economic Affairs Mehmet Gucuk March 31 to discuss
the possibility of the USG resupplying US troops in northern
Iraq via Turkey (refs).



3. (C) Ilicak and Gucuk said they did not envision any
problem with the USG request for US military authorities to
contract directly with Turkish companies for the ground
transportation of water purchased in Turkey. On the US
request to transport US-origin MREs, however, the MFA
officials said they would have to take the request to their
higher authorities for a decision.



4. (C) On fuel, both Ilicak and Gucuk said that, in their
opinion, it would be much easier for the US military to
contract directly with Turkish firms (as opposed to going
through the Turkish military) to procure/transport Turkish
fuel, as well as to transport US fuel already in Turkey, to
US forces in Iraq. The MFA officials said the US request on
fuel already had been relayed to the GOT policy levels for a
decision (ODC-TGS letter dated March 28 -- ref b). However,
Ilicak and Gucuk cautioned if the GOT were to approve such a
method of procurement/transportation of fuel, and the US were
to elect to contract directly with Turkish companies, the GOT
would have "no flexibility" on the issue of taxes (i.e., the
USG would be required to pay taxes.) (Comment: this is not to
say that Ilicak and Gucuk were implying that the USG would
not/not have to pay taxes if the USG elects to work through
gov-to-gov channels. They simply did not comment on this.
End comment.)


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SECURITY FOR TURKISH VEHICLES ONCE THEY ENTER IRAQ
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5. (C) The MFA officials said that the GOT would be
responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the
commercial vehicles while they were in Turkey. What happened
when the vehicles crossed the Turkish-Iraqi border was
another matter and one of concern to the GOT. Ilicak and
Gucuk said they envisioned three possible arrangements for
ensuring the security/safety of the Turkish vehicles while
they were in northern Iraq: (1) the USG provides assurances
(in writing) that the USG will assume responsibility once the
vehicles cross into northern Iraq; (2) the GOT will assume
full responsibility; or (3) the USG and GOT will share
responsibility and develop together appropriate measures.
The MFA officials said they did not have a preference among
the three options; their only request was that the USG advise
(in writing) of its intention. (Note: our understanding here
at post is that the US military is prepared to assume
responsibility for the vehicles once they arrive in northern
Iraq. end note.)


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ACTION
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6. (C) In the event the GOT approves our request to contract
via commercial means the procurement and transportation of
fuel to US forces in northern Iraq, we will have to address
head-on the question of whether the US is willing to pay
taxes on official purchases. The Embassy therefore requests
guidance (if possible NLT OOB Ankara April 1) on how to
proceed on this tax issue. Unless instructed otherwise, the
Embassy/TF-N intend to notify the MFA in writing that the US
military intends to assume responsibility for the security of
Turkish vehicles transporting supplies for US troops once
they enter northern Iraq.
PEARSON