Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA5313
2003-08-20 13:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

CODEL MURTHA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF US-TURKISH

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005313 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SE, NEA, AND PM; OSD FOR NSC FOR BRYZA. JCS
FOR J5


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL MURTHA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF US-TURKISH
RELATIONSHIP; PRESSES FOR TURKISH INVOLVEMENT IN
STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN IRAQ


(U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch.
Reasons: 1.5 (B and D).


(U) Baghdad minimize considered.


-------
SUMMARY
-------


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005313

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SE, NEA, AND PM; OSD FOR NSC FOR BRYZA. JCS
FOR J5


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL MURTHA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF US-TURKISH
RELATIONSHIP; PRESSES FOR TURKISH INVOLVEMENT IN
STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN IRAQ


(U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch.
Reasons: 1.5 (B and D).


(U) Baghdad minimize considered.


--------------
SUMMARY
--------------



1. (C) Visiting Congressmen Murtha and Larson assured
Minister of Defense Gonul and TGS CHOD Gen Ozkok August 19
that Turkey was one of the USG's best allies and that we were
looking to Turkey to contribute to reconstruction and
stabilization efforts in Iraq. Gonul and Ozkok said Turkey
shared our interests in Iraq and argued that reconstruction
was key to creating stability and security there. Gonul said
the Turkish government was in principle ready to help on the
stabilization force and commented that compared to March 1,
the government and AK had enough power in Parliament where it
will be easier to make the right decision. Ozkok confirmed
that TGS had received the USG's responses to its questions
and said the Turkish military would be prepared to begin
"phase one" mil-to-mil talks soon. Once TGS completed its
evaluation, it would make its views known to the GOT. The
GOT would then make a decision and take it to Parliament.
Both Gonul and Ozkok welcomed the CODEL's reaffirmation of
USG's intent to fight terrorism globally, including the
PKK/Kadek. Gonul and Ozkok argued that progress in Iraq
would lead to progress in the greater Middle East and
vice-a-versa. Gonul reaffirmed general support for the
Middle East roadmap and agreed it was in Turkey's interest to
work for a peaceful solution. End summary.



2. (C) Representatives Murtha and Larson, accompanied by
staff members and the DCM, called on Minister of Defense
Gonul and Turkish General Staff (TGS) CHOD General Ozkok.
ODC Chief and A/Pol-Mil section chief also attended.


--------------
TURKEY REMAINS A VALUED ALLY
--------------



3. (C) Rep. Murtha opened by stressing that Turkey was one of
the USG's best allies. In his 28 years in Congress, Murtha

said there had been no better ally and stronger supporter of
US interests than Turkey. The perception that Turkey was no
longer a key US Ally was not true -- especially not in
Congress -- where there is a strong awareness and
appreciation for the positive role that Turkey is playing
globally. Minister of Defense Gonul agreed on the importance
of the US-Turkish relationship and said the two countries had
shared the same destiny for many years. CHOD Ozkok observed
that relations between the US and Turkey were deep-rooted and
dated back to the Korean War. Turkey and US had continued
this close degree of cooperation in Bosnia, Kosovo,
Afghanistan and Iraq. On Iraq, Ozkok stressed that Turkey
"obviously supported" the US and cited a number of examples
to illustrate the point: opening Turkish airspace to US
aircraft (including TLAMs),support for counter-terrorism
initiatives and providing military evacuation capabilities
for US soldiers in southeastern Turkey. Ozkok characterized
Parliament's March 1 rejection of a motion to allow US troops
to use Turkish soil to deploy to Iraq as a "peculiarity of
the Turkish system," since a majority of parliamentarians had
voted in favor of the motion. Ozkok argued that the use of
Turkish soil was only one area of cooperation.


-------------- --------------
IRAQ: US NEEDS SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE FROM ALLIES LIKE TURKEY
-------------- --------------



4. (C) Murtha told Gonul and Ozkok that he had just returned
from Iraq, where he had met with OCPA Amb Bremer and assessed
the current situation on the ground. Murtha said that in his
view, the USG had not been aware of the degree to which
Saddam Hussein had let Iraq's infrastructure deteriorate.
Murtha highlighted the electricity shortage and high level of
unemployment as two of the key areas that needed addressing.
He estimated that Iraq would face an annual shortfall of
approximately $18B between its GDP ($35B) and what it was
expected to take in from oil revenues and assistance from the
US. Amb Bremer and the Iraqi leaders have made great
progress thus far in a number of areas, but a lot remains to
be done. While noting that the reconstruction and
stabilization of Iraq was a monumental task that would take
years to finalize and cost the US considerable a sum of
money, the US was committed for the long haul and would
succeed. Rep. Larson added that Congress was united in its
support for the Administration's efforts to bring about
stability in Iraq. Stability for Iraq translates into
stability for the US, Turkey and the region. Larson added
that addressing the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people
and developing stronger ties with its neighbors were key to
establishing a stable and secure Iraq.



5. (C) While stressing that the US would remain in Iraq as
long as it takes to succeed, Murtha and Larson argued that
cooperation from key allies like Turkey would be essential to
quicken the pace of success. Murtha said Turkey was in a
natural position to contribute militarily in terms of troops
and economically in terms of reconstruction assistance.
Murtha said that in his recent discussions with Amb Bremer in
Iraq, Bremer had said that the US was prepared to support a
number of Turkey's economic and reconstruction proposals.
Both Gonul and Ozkok highlighted the experience and past
track record of Turkish construction and oil refinery firms
beyond Turkey's borders, including most recently in
Afghanistan.


--------------
STRONG STABLE IRAQ IN TURKEY'S INTEREST
--------------



6. (C) Gonul and Ozkok said that a strong and stable Iraq was
also in Turkey's national interest. Gonul agreed that Saddam
Hussein did not utilize the wealth of Iraqi resources --
including some of the most intelligent people in all of the
Arab world -- to develop the country. Saddam tended to focus
all of Iraq's resources on enriching those close to him in
the center of the country at the expense of the north and the
south. As a result, after 1991, there were three different
somewhat independent regions (the north, south and center)
and a number of different tribes vying for power. In the
north, tribes under the control of KDP and PUK took rather
harsh measures against long-time resident Turkoman. On
cooperating with the US, Gonul said despite the outcome of
the March 1 Parliamentary vote, there is not a single person
in Turkey who sympathizes with Saddam. The US always has
supported Turkey and Turkey in turn wants to help the US
succeed in Iraq. Iraq and the Iraqi people are also Turkey's
neighbors, and there are families in Turkey with family
members in Iraq.



7. (C) Ozkok said that a secure Iraq will help pave the way
for the reconstruction of Iraq. He noted that the future of
Iraq was also important for Turkey. First, Iraq was Turkey's
neighbor. Second, Turkey and Iraq shared a long history.
Third, a strong, stable Iraq whose territorial integrity
remains intact will help ensure a stable peaceful Turkey.
Ozkok said that Turkey remained committed to ensuring that an
independent Kuridsh state did not emerge in the north. At
the same time, because the majority of Kurds are Sunnis, it
was important that all of the Kurds not leave Iraq to ensure
against the emergence of a Shia-dominated Iraq. Ozkok also
argued that developments in Iraq will affect developments in
other countries in the region. While recognizing the
difficulties of establishing democracy in some countries,
Ozkok said the security of Turkey is very much dependent upon
the democratic nature of the governments in the region.
Turkey will continue to work with the US in this area.


--------------
STABILIZATION FORCE
--------------



8. (C) Murtha said the US hoped that Turkey could contribute
forces to Iraq to assist in stabilization efforts there. In
order for us to get it right, Turkey needs to be with us.
Without assistance from our allies and an "international
face" on the stabilization force, the US will not succeed
quickly. Gonul said that in principle, the Turkish
government is prepared to help, but the Turkish people have a
number of questions: how long will Turkish troops be deployed
in Iraq? What will be their mission? With the PKK/Kadek
controlling parts of the north, how will Turkey be able to
supply its forces in Iraq? Gonul concluded by saying that
"this time" (as opposed to March 1),the government is no
longer new and the AK Party has enough power in Parliament
where it will be easier to make the right decision. Ozkok
said that given the importance of a stable Iraq, Turkey will
carefully form its views on whether to contribute to the
stabilization force in Iraq. In order for Turkey to make the
political decision, TGS sought clarification from the US on a
number of issues related to the stabilization force. Ozkok
said TGS recently had received the US responses and was in
the process of studying them. Ozkok said that the Turkish
military would be prepared to begin "phase one" mil-to-mil
planning discussions with the US "soon." At the end of its
evaluation process, the Turkish military would advise the
government of its position. Once the government reached a
position, it would present it to Parliament. Murtha said the
more Turkey can contribute to stabilization efforts in Iraq
and the more Turkey advises the US, the greater the prospects
for success. Ozkok added that while Turkey may not have the
most updated intelligence on events in Iraq, it does possess
a strong understanding of the Iraqi people, a factor that
could be of assistance to the US.


--------------
PKK/Kadek
--------------



9. (C) Reps. Murtha and Larson reaffirmed the USG's general
commitment to fighting terrorism globally and specific
commitment to ridding Iraq of all terrorist elements,
including the PKK/Kadek. Murtha noted that the USG
considered PKK/Kadek a terrorist organization and said the
USG would continue to work with Turkey on this issue as long
as it takes. The DCM added the USG remains committed to
eliminating the PKK/Kadek safe haven in Iraq. Gonul welcomed
the commitment and said Turkey had recently passed a
re-integration law aimed at persuading PKK/Kadek members to
lay down their weapons and return to Turkey voluntarily.


--------------
MIDDLE EAST ROADMAP
--------------



10. (C) Gonul and Ozkok argued that progress in Iraq would
lead to progress in the greater Middle East and vice-a-versa.
Gonul said that if you stop terrorism in Palestinian
territories, it will help stop violence in Iraq. Murtha said
that while this was a tough issue, he believed there was a
glimmer of hope that progress could be made. The USG
continued to look to Turkey to use its good relations with
both sides to push for implementation of the roadmap. Gonul
agreed that Turkey has good ties with Israel, including more
than 20 defense-related projects in the works, and stressed
that it was in Turkey's interest that both sides work for a
peaceful solution.



11. (U) Congressmen Murtha and Larson were unable to clear on
this message before they departed post.
EDELMAN