CAPSTONE DELEGATION DISCUSSES US-TURKEY RELATIONS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005058

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2013
TAGS: PREL IZ TU
SUBJECT: CAPSTONE DELEGATION DISCUSSES US-TURKEY RELATIONS,
IRAQ, SYRIA WITH MFA DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY



1. (U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires a.i. Robert Deutsch.
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).



2. (C) The participants in the National Defense University
CAPSTONE European Field Studies Program, accompanied by
representatives from ODC, DAO, and the pol-mil affairs
section of the Embassy, met with MFA Deputy U/S Baki Ilkin on
August 6 to discuss a broad range of issues. The meeting was
conducted in a question and answer format, with the CAPSTONE
participants posing questions pertaining to the state of
US-Turkey relations, Turkish support for the reconstruction
and stabilization of Iraq, the state of relations between
Syria and Turkey, and the focus of GOT policy efforts in the
upcoming year.


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US-TURKEY RELATIONS HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE
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3. (C) Ilkin, speaking candidly, said that both the US and
Turkey have made mistakes recently in terms of their
bilateral affairs. He contrasted the current state of
relations with the atmosphere between the two sides
immediately following September 11. However, he stressed that
US-Turkey relations extend far beyond the situation in Iraq.
He pointed to shared interests in Central Asia, the strong
desire on both sides to bring about a peaceful settlement
between Israel and the Palestinians, and the need to put
pressure on both Syria and Iran to become responsible members
of the international community.


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GOT ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ
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4. (C) Ilkin pointed out too that, despite a number of
problems between the US and Turkey over Iraq, Turkey has also
provided a significant amount of assistance to the
reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq, and will continue
to do so in the future. Success in Iraq bolsters Turkish
national security, Ilkin said. The GOT plans to participate
in the upcoming donors conference for Iraq, though it is
unclear if it will be able to provide financial assistance.



5. (C) In addition, the GOT recognizes that US troops in Iraq
need to be relieved, Ilkin said, and believes the Iraqi
Stabilization Force should have a truly international
composition, which will accord it much more legitimacy. The
GOT supports the proposal to send Turkish troops to Iraq and
is working actively to secure the approval of Parliament and
the public for this deployment. At the same time, he admitted
that the GOT is unsure if Parliament will approve this
proposal. Ilkin also said that the GOT understands Turkey
would have its own zone of responsibility within Iraq, if it
decides to deploy troops.



6. (C) Ilkin stressed that the GOT has no problem working
with the Iraqi Governing Council, but the Arab League
approach didn't accord the Council much legitimacy. The Iraqi
people and Arab governments in the region must see Iraq as
being governed by Iraqis, not Americans, Ilkin said.


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TURKEY-SYRIA RELATIONS
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7. (C) Ilkin noted that Turkey and Syria had gone through a
difficult period when the latter was harboring and providing
assistance to PKK ringleaders. The two were on the verge of a
military confrontation, when Syria forced the PKK leaders to
leave the country.



8. (C) President Assad has spent a great deal of time in the
West and must conclude that Syria's future lies in that
direction, as well as that his father's policies were wrong,
Ilkin said. Ilkin had expected that Assad would dismiss some
of his father's advisors after he assumed power, but this has
not happened unfortunately.



9. (C) Ilkin pointed out that the GOT has stressed to Syrian
leaders that they have a strong interest in developing better
relations with the US, must not turn a blind eye to the
presence of terrorist groups within Syria, and must provide
full support to the Middle East peace process. He also
stressed that the USG must continually reiterate these
messages to the Syrian government.


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FOCUS OF THE GOT IN THE COMING YEAR
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10. (C) Ilkin said that the GOT will focus on the following
issues over the next year: implementing the recently approved
reform packages, setting a date with the EU to begin
accession negotiations, maintaining good relations with both
the US and the EU, contributing to the stability of Iraq,
facilitating the Middle East peace process, and continuing
the improvement of Turkey-Russia relations.



11. (U) The CAPSTONE delegation did not have an opportunity
to clear this message.
DEUTSCH