TURKISH MFA DELEGATION VISIT TO IRAQ: ITS IN OUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003153

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SE, NEA/NGA, PMAT; OSD FOR ISA AND ISP; JCS
FOR J5; EUCOM FOR J5, POLAD; CENTCOM FOR J5 AND POLAD;


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA DELEGATION VISIT TO IRAQ: ITS IN OUR
INTEREST TO SUPPORT IT

REF: ANKARA 3078


(U) Classified by Acting DCM Scot Marciel. Reasons: 1.5 (B
and D).



1. (U) This is an action request. See para 3.



2. (C) Reftel reported the MFA's intention to send a
three-person delegation to Iraq beginning May 15. The visit
is in large part in response to past invitations from the KDP
and PUK for a senior GOT delegation to visit northern Iraq.
The Turks' overriding objective is to try to resolve some of
the outstanding issues and to improve relations. We
understand the KDP and PUK support this visit, and that KDP
leader Barzani and PUK leader Talabani (both of whom are in
Baghdad) have agreed to meet with the delegation in Baghdad.
During a May 13 meeting with the Ambassador (septel),MFA U/S
Ziyal requested the Ambassador's assistance in facilitating
the visit, including arranging meetings with SPE Bremer and
ORHA's Garner and Moore.



3. (C) Action request: The USG has for years been a
steadfast and vocal supporter of improved Turkish-Kurdish
relations. We recognize that conditions on the ground have
changed. What has not changed is the tension between Turks
and Kurds and the impact these tensions could have on larger
US objectives in Iraq. USG support for this visit also
furthers our commitment to transparency and
information-sharing with Ankara on issues of concern to
Turkey. The more the Turks see for themselves the positive
developments that have taken place in Iraq since the end of
combat operations -- and the extent to which USG officials on
the ground can help shape their exposure through meetings --
the better able we will be to manage Turkey's future behavior
vis-a-vis Iraq. US failure to facilitate the visit --
including opposition to the delegation's travel -- will be
widely interpreted here as evidence that we are not
interested in transparency with Ankara and will fuel Turkish
perceptions that we have something to hide in northern Iraq.
We therefore recommend that Washington agencies endorse the
GOT's request to visit Iraq and facilitate the visit,
including arranging USG meetings with the delegation in Iraq.
PEARSON