REORGANIZATION OF THE IRAQI MFA: GOT WILL DO BEST

UNCLAS ANKARA 003173 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/NGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: REORGANIZATION OF THE IRAQI MFA: GOT WILL DO BEST TO IMPLEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE'S GUIDANCE REF: STATE 126507 On May 14, POLMIL Counselor delivered reftel points to Deputy Director General for Middle East Affairs Safak Gokturk. Gokturk said that the Iraqi Ambassador had already departed Turkey. Gokturk then noted that, while Turkey will not recognize the remaining Iraqi staff as having any diplomatic or consular authority and responsibility, it will be difficult to safeguard diplomatic materials, such as files, consular seals and accounts, etc. Nevertheless, Gokturk assured us that Turkey will do its best to implement the Steering Committee's guidance. PEARSON