TURKISH AID FOR IRAQ

UNCLAS ANKARA 002336 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/ANE, EUR/SE AND NEA/NGA DEPT PASS USAID FOR BHA/OFDA - WGARVELINK AND BHA/FFP EUCOM FOR JE, JR, J5, SOJ7 AND POLAD GENEVA FOR RMA CENTCOM FOR J3, J5 AND POLAD SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PREF PHUM IZ TU SUBJECT: TURKISH AID FOR IRAQ REF: (A) STATE 89192 (B) ANKARA 2298 (C) STATE 91561 (SBU) Econ Counselor and Mission Disaster Relief Officer delivered ref A points on the UN Flash Appeal for Iraq to Feza Ozturk, MFA Department Head for International Political Organizations, on April 8 following a discussion of the Turkish Red Crescent's (TRC's) plans to deliver humanitarian supplies and provide medical treatment for Iraq (ref B). On April 9, Ozturk confirmed press reports that Turkey planned to allocate USD 5 million for humanitarian assistance to Iraq. However, he said that the GOT had not yet decided who would deliver this assistance: TRC, Turkish NGOs, UN agencies and Turkish government bodies, such as the Ministry of Health, are possible vehicles. A new Humanitarian Aid Coordination Board led by Prime Ministry Undersecretary Uccan will discuss this question in the near future. Pearson