THE TURKS AND THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN IRAQ

S E C R E T ANKARA 003416 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: 05/21/2013 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: THE TURKS AND THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN IRAQ REF: A. ANKARA 2538 ¶B. ANKARA 2553 (U) Classified by Ambassador W. Robert Pearson. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). ¶1. (C) The GOT continues to express an interest in participating in the stabilization force in Iraq. The Turks understand the political sensitivity of a neighboring state putting troops in Iraq. According to MFA DDG for NATO Affairs Sanivar Kizildeli, Turkey is not looking to use NATO as a "back door" to get into the force. Rather, Iraq is such a key national interest for Turkey that the GOT wants to ensure that a reputable and reliable institution like NATO is responsible for Iraq's security over the long term. While Turkey initially made missteps initially regarding financial aid and the London Conference, there are good reasons for a Turkish role in the force. ¶2. (C) It appears that the Poles may have generated adequate forces for its division for now. But looking down the road, our experience in Afghanistan tells us that few countries have the resources or the public support for extended operations far from home. Allowing the Turks the maximum possible role now could spare us from encountering Turkish recalcitrance later when we are looking for countries to contribute troops. Embassy Ankara advocates this approach because it serves US long-term interests in Iraqi transition. ¶3. (C) Per Ref B, Turkey has offered a gamut of capabilities from a division-level headquarters to a humanitarian assistance brigade, psyops unit, and air traffic control. The USG may best be able to exploit these capabilities without unnecessarily offending sensitivities in Iraq by accepting non-combat assets such as a medical unit, mobile surgical hospital, humanitarian assistance unit, firefighting units, air traffic controllers, ground illumination units, etc. ¶4. (C) We understand that Washington is considering offering Turkey some advisor slots for the Polish division. This type of minimal role is a good start, but as we look longer term, we should consider a broader role for Turkey in the short- to medium-term in order to keep open our options in the future. PEARSON