C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005208

SIPDIS


STATE FOR SA AND EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS PTER TU AF
SUBJECT: TURKEY PLANS TO AUGMENT AFGHAN PROVINCIAL
RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT WARLORDS

REF: A. STATE 144161

B. ANKARA 3057

C. STATE 106694


(U) Classified by Acting PM Counselor Harry Kamian, reasons
1.5, b/d.



1. (U) Kabul minimize considered.



2. (C) Turkish MFA DG for Mideast Affairs Burcuoglu told
Charge August 14 that Turkey had decided to augment either
the UK Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e-Sharif
or the German one in Konduz. He said his office would be
contacting TGS as well as the British and German embassies to
begin planning for the Turkish contribution.



3. (C) In addition, Burcuoglu expressed concern that Afghan
Minister of Defense Fehim Han and forces loyal to him,
including Ustat Ata, have been conducting a propaganda
campaign against Gen. Dostum. The GOT is concerned that
Fehim Han and "other warlords" are determined to get rid of
Dostum because the latter is "clearly on the side of the Bonn
Process" and has tried to stem the trafficking of arms from
Pakistan. The GOT is concerned the campaign against Dostum
could escalate to military clashes. The GOT was advising
Dostum to avoid provocative action and hoped that the USG was
applying similar pressure to rival warlords and supporting
those figures dedicated to peace in Afghanistan.
EDELMAN