Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA2507
2003-04-17 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY: ORAL MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY REGARDING

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002507 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: ORAL MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY REGARDING
4/18 RIYADH MEETING ON IRAQ

REF: SECSTATE 97844


(U) Classified by Ambassador W. R. Pearson. Reason:1.5(b)(d).


-------
Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002507

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: ORAL MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY REGARDING
4/18 RIYADH MEETING ON IRAQ

REF: SECSTATE 97844


(U) Classified by Ambassador W. R. Pearson. Reason:1.5(b)(d).


--------------
Summary
--------------



1. (C) Ambassador called on MFA Undersecretaries Baki Ilkin
and Ali Tuygan April 17 to deliver reftel message to the GOT
regarding the April 18 meeting on Iraq in Riyadh, noting our
concern that Syria may try to hijack the proceedings. Tuygan
said Turkey would work for moderation. They also discussed
Turkey's interest in helping with humanitarian assistance, in
reconstruction and the possibility it would want to
contribute to a stabilization force. End summary.


--------------
Riyadh Meeting
--------------



2. (C) Tuygan noted he will go to Riyadh with F.M. Gul, who
was invited by the Saudis; the Saudis explained that the
meeting would "take stock of events in Iraq and try to find
common ground" for the next stage in developments there. He
offered that most of the participants, including Syria and
Iran, will try using the meeting to send a strong message to
the U.S. Other attendees will push for cooperation with the
USG while highlighting "local sensitivities, which are
exacting a high price," Tuygan said. "We need to say
something to our publics," he added. Both Tuygan and Ilkin
stated that Turkey will do what it can to promote moderation
at the meeting, noting that "this is not the time not to
cooperate" with the USG.



3. (C) Tuygan raised two points which, he said, are likely to
be on the agenda in Riyadh: (1) the Middle East peace
process, in which Turkey wants to play a constructive role;
and (2) Syria's draft UNSC resolution regarding a WMD-free
zone -- an idea Damascus pushed at the early March meeting of
regional FoMins in Istanbul. On both these fronts, the
Saudis will be key to setting a moderate tone; "we've seen
too many (regional) meetings," Tuygan said, "dominated by the
radicals." He and Ilkin doubted whether a positive
post-meeting statement would be possible.



4. (C) Ambassador reiterated that the USG is aware of the
possible Syrian approach in Riyadh, noting that, given
Syria's own WMD programs and refusal to sign various WMD
treaties, Damascus is not in a strong position to push its

draft resolution. He also acknowledged that the Saudi role
at the meeting is key -- and that the USG is not asking
Turkey to "shoulder any special burdens."


--------------
Other Issues
--------------



5. (C) Ambassador noted that the Turkish Red Crescent
(Kizilay) has publicly criticized the U.S. for a perceived
failure to facilitate its humanitarian mission in Iraq.
Ambassador noted that Kizilay's objectives in Iraq are
commendable, but its anxiety is misplaced. Kizilay needs to
above all to coordinate its activities with the ICRC.
Moreover, the U.S. simply does not have the manpower to
supply security to Kizilay convoys. Ambassador urged MFA to
encourage Kizilay to actively seek out ways to participate in
the ICRC framework. Tuygan then noted Turkey's interest in
bringing injured civilians to Turkey for treatment in Turkish
hospitals, and asked whether it was possible for Turkey to
obtain permission from Kuwait for access to Kuwaiti airspace
and airports. Ambassador commended the GOT for its interest,
noting the crush of identical requests from other countries.



6. (C) Ambassador noted we had been told that Turkey was
preparing to offer resources for stabilization of Iraq.
Tuygan said that the GOT has reacted favorably to the idea,
though it has not discussed the issue in detail and the
modalities and other arrangements would need to be clarified
first. Tuygan expressed concern lest any such force
apportion different segments of Iraq to different ethnic
groups, noting GOT is particularly disappointed at statements
by Barzani and Talabani, which imply to the Turks that the
Kurds are interested in asserting independent control over
the north. He claimed that: (1) some 3,000 Kurdish families
have recently moved into Kirkuk; and (2) that the Peshmergas
are taking control of abandoned weapons, including tanks, and
have not in fact left the city.

7. (7) Ambassador noted these concerns. He also stated that
information coming to the USG -- which has a wealth of
resources on the ground -- paints a completely different
picture of the situation: there is, in fact, no Kurdish
takeover of Kirkuk; the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline will
soon open under U.S. control. The Ambassador emphasized that
the USG is operating in complete good faith in Iraq; that we
have read the riot act to Barzani and Talabani regarding the
need for them to do the same; and that something must be done
to bridge the knowledge gap between rumor in Turkey and what
we know as the actual state of things in the region. Tuygan
took the point, expressing interest in greater U.S.-Turkey
intelligence coordination. He noted that the GOT fully
accepts that the USG is showing good faith, but noted that
"there always will be an element of suspicion" regarding the
activities of the Iraqi Kurds; Tuygan said that the GOT was
pleased with the outcome of the recent meeting between Iraqi
Turkoman representatives and General Osman.



8. (C) Tuygan and Ilkin expressed interest in participating
in reconstruction efforts, and to be kept informed as to
developments along these lines. Ambassador replied that we
will encourage Gen. Garner to meet with the Turkish
Ambassador in Kuwait. He noted that the Embassy in Ankara
routinely supplies information about opportunities there to
Turkish companies, who are free to place bids with prime
contractors.
PEARSON