FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN BAGHDAD: TURKS PLAN TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002907 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2013 TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IQ SUBJECT: FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN BAGHDAD: TURKS PLAN TO RE-ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC MISSION SOON REF: A. STATE 114629 ¶B. ANKARA 2585 ¶C. AMMAN 2627 (U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 3. ¶2. (C) On May 3, DCM delivered ref A talking points to MFA DG for Middle East Affairs Tahsin Burcuoglu on the CENTCOM agreement to allow countries to send small security teams to guard diplomatic properties in Iraq. DCM conveyed the point that at this time CENTCOM would not permit other diplomatic or technical personnel to enter Iraq. Burcuoglu, noting that several other countries had already sent in diplomatic personnel and set up missions, said that Turkey plans to enter Iraq on May 12, via Jordan, to re-establish its diplomatic mission. He said that Turkey's 4/30 National Security Council (NSC) had made this recommendation. Furthermore, Burcuoglu said that while Turkey would prefer to enter Iraq through the Habur Gate, it is currently planning to send its staff via Jordan. Burcuoglu indicated that the GOT would be using Iraqi-registered cars (registered before the start of the war) to enter the country and that Ankara would provide the USG with the names and passport numbers of the personnel as well as license plates and travel plans before crossing the border. ¶3. (C) Action request: We note that ref C confirms Burcuoglu's claim that a number of countries have returned staff to Baghdad. Since the GOT has already decided to proceed, we second Amman's request for information on how the process of border control and authorization (in the absence of LNO's at CENTCOM) should proceed. PEARSON