AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEFENSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005515 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2013 TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEFENSE MINISTER: GONUL PLEDGES TO SUPPORT THE US IN ANY WAY HE CAN, THANKS US FOR ASSISTANCE ON PKK, EU, ECONOMY REF: A. STATE 250602 ¶B. STATE 250578 Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman. Reasons 1.5 B and D. -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) During the Ambassador's introductory call on Minister of National Defense Vecdi Gonul September 1, Gonul affirmed his desire to foster closer cooperation with the US and to support the US in any way Turkey could. On Iraq, Gonul said he hoped the GOT would persuade the Turkish public and Parliament that Turkey needed to be there with the US. Gonul praised the Governing Council and its Turkmen member Songul Chapuk. He raised difficulties with third-country defense transfers, frustration with the lack of firm dates for the 2004 Istanbul NATO Summit and for the November 2003 HLDG. Gonul thanked the US for supporting Turkey's EU candidacy, for our firm stand against the PKK, and for US support during the economic crisis that began in 2001. End Summary. -------------- Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by ODC Chief and Pol-Mil officer (notetaker),called on Defense Minister Gonul Sept. ¶1. Gonul said that in 1991, he had worked with PM Ozal to get Turkey to send troops to Iraq, and failed. The Turks failed again on March 1. "This time," he said, "I hope we make the necessary preparations and persuade everyone that we have to be there with you." He said the stability of Iraq was extremely important to Turkey, as the Turks and Iraqis live virtually together, and many families have members on both sides of the border. The GOT believes it must help the Iraqi people achieve some kind of order, he said. "The US and Turkey have the same target. We have to be there. Our military, diplomats and parliamentarians are trying to decide the right way forward. I hope we can manage it and keep it on the right track this time." He also said the sooner the Iraqi economy is up and running, the better. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador assured Gonul that POTUS remains committed to seeing things through in Iraq, and that the US would be there as long as it takes. The Ambassador also welcomed the GOT statements condemning the Najaf bombing (more detail on this point septel). Gonul commented that the CPA had put together good people in Iraq and that the Governing Council (GC) was working well. He noted that Turkey had some differences about the level of Turkmen representation, but that the Turkmen rep on the GC was a very good one. He opined that there was still a major problem with the tribes, which would impact the GC's moral authority as well as the economy in Iraq. -------------- Defense Trade, NATO Summit, HLDG, PKK -------------- ¶4. (C) Gonul pointed out that Turkey had bought a large amount of military materiel from the US and has been trying to build its defense industry jointly with the US. However, he said, due to licensing and other restrictions from the US side, it was difficult to export what it produced. The Ambassador assured him that third-party licensing was a complicated issue world-wide, not just in Turkey, and that we were trying to streamline the process. Turning to other matters, Gonul said Turkey was trying to organize the 2004 NATO Summit in Istanbul, but the extended silence procedure on dates being maintained by the US at NATO was hampering efforts. "We need a reply on the date to begin preparations. This is a big organizational challenge, and we don't want to be embarrassed." The Ambassador noted Turkey's concern and said he would do what he could to get a firm date as soon as possible. Gonul said that dates were also urgently needed for November's HLDG meeting, which was supposed to have taken place last May. The Ambassador said that the US and Turkey together need to use the HLDG better and to ensure the next meeting is well prepared. He undertook to get more clarity on dates from OSD. ODC Chief noted that the dates under consideration at present were November 20-22. Gonul thanked the US for supporting Turkey's EU candidacy and for supporting Turkey through the economic crisis that began in ¶2001. He also noted that the US was the only western nation that truly opposed the PKK/KADEK. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador reminded Gonul of POTUS' pledge to eliminate the threat of terror from Iraq. The US remained committed to that objective and hoped to continue the discussion with the GOT on this issue. American commanders, he noted, already had a good deal on their plate and there would need to be a process of prioritization. The Ambassador added that we would be pushing the Europeans shortly to extend their designation of PKK as a terror organization to KADEK and to go after KADEK financing. The Ambassador also noted the importance of Turkey "sticking to the IMF program" as a means of stimulating a pattern of stable economic growth. Gonul said that he and Turkey greatly appreciated America's assistance in these matters. ¶6. (U) Baghdad Minimize Considered. EDELMAN