CHOD OZKOK EMPHASIZES KURDISH ISSUES AS KEY TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005645

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2013
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL TU IZ
SUBJECT: CHOD OZKOK EMPHASIZES KURDISH ISSUES AS KEY TO
TURKISH DECISION ON STABILIZATION FORCE

(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman. Reasons 1.5 B and

D.



1. (C) SUMMARY: During the AMB's 9/5 introductory call on
GEN Ozkok, the CHOD focused on ethnic tension in nIZ and its
effect on Turkish public opinion, and thus on Turkey's
ability to contribute troops to the stabilization force. US
action on PKK/KADEK is also a key factor in Turkey's
decision, and thus Ozkok looked forward to the initial
State-led team due in Ankara the following week. End
summary.



2. (C) TGS Chief GEN Hilmi Ozkok was relaxed and friendly
during the Ambassador's 9/5 introductory call. Prior to
consulting his notes, Ozkok made complimentary remarks about
Commander CENTCOM GEN Abizaid. He also asked about the
pending UNSCR, to which the AMB noted these were early days
in the process.



3. (C) Apologizing for the formality, Ozkok then read from
notes making the following points:


BILATERAL RELATIONS: They have been long, close and warm.
They are more important today than ever. He then listed what
he called Turkey's extensive contributions to Operation Iraqi
Freedom, including pre-war (ONW) and post-war (GLOC).


HLDG: While the 18th HLDG scheduled for May had been
postponed, new D/CHOD GEN Ilker Basbug will co-chair the
anticipated November meeting in the US with the intention of
helping develop momentum in the bilateral security
relationship.


NATO: SACEUR GEN Jones' recent visit was very constructive.
Focus was on the new command structure. Turkey is ready to
host the AIR Component Command (AIRSOUTH) and is the lead
NATO nation for the NATO Response Force's land component.


IRAQ: Ethnic tensions in northern Iraq cause security
problems for Turkey. Turkey approaches Iraq as a whole, with
no ethnic discrimination. No ethnic group should be allowed
to use FORCE for its own ends. Kirkuk and Mosul belong to no
local groups. The recent clashes in Tuzkhurmatu demonstrate
that the PUK is a troublemaker. They are "as negative as
Saddam vis-a-vis the Turkmen." The Kurdish raid on the
Kirkuk deeds office during the war was another example of
ethnic-driven policy. The US should be even-handed and raise
these issues with the PUK. The AMB later in the meeting
noted that our bilateral ties are much broader than the
Iraq-centric current focus and that democratic allies who
differ could solve differences privately though honest and
direct talk. Ozkok agreed and said that such honest and
frank talk had kept the July 4 Suleymania event from having a
greater negative impact on relations. AMB agreed that
intercommunal violence is dangerous for our nation-building
efforts. He was relieved that quick intervention by US
forces had help calm the Tuzkhurmatu situation and noted that
US forces had detained Kurdish police who had opened fire.
Communication between US and Turkish forces appears to be
better, and the Embassy's Army Attache has gone to Silopi
today (9/5) to liaise with the Turkish Special Forces Command
there. AMB told Ozkok Turkish concerns had been passed to
Washington and Baghdad.


TURKMEN: Ozkok said he was disappointed that the only
Turkmen cabinet slot was the "insignificant" Science and
Technology ministry. AMB noted that the US had already been
criticized for making too many decisions based on ethnic
balance, which could undermine the overall goal of a unified
Iraq. Two Turkmen had been picked for the important
Constitutional Commission. Ozkok agreed, but said ethnic
balance was important in these early stages. While Turkey
also had a "kinship" with the Iraqi Kurds, the Turkmen are
more in need of Turkey's protection. The Turkish public is
sensitive to this issue. As above, AMB said that Washington
and Baghdad had been informed of Turkey's views.


TURKEY IN STABILIZATION FORCE: Ethnic tensions in nIZ
(Tuzkhurmatu being the worst recent example) have a
side-effect on Turkey's ability to contribute troops.
Kurdish statements opposing Turkish participation affect
Turkish public opinion. Claims that Turkey instigates such
clashes to create a raison d'etre for military intervention
are false. Turkey cannot be indifferent to the future of
Iraq, but the final decision on troop contributions belong to
the government and parliament. The military will give them
the best info they can.
MIL-MIL TALKS: Ozkok was happy with the 9/4 discussions.
Both the TGS and CENTCOM are working on the details of a
Turkish Area of Responsibility (AOR) in the Anbar region as
well as alternate AORs. Turkey's logistical capabilities are
an important factor.


PKK/KADEK: The terrorist organization is a destabilizing
force in nIZ. It uses the area for training and staging.
Turkey has taken "diplomatic actions" such as the
Reintegration (Amnesty) Law to deal with the problem, and
Turkey looks forward to cooperating with the US on this. The
PKK/KADEK uses different names in different areas, and the US
should be careful not to talk to them in any guise. The
State Department-led team GEN Jones had said would come the
following week will be a very important visit. AMB
re-confirmed the President's commitment not to allow Iraq to
be a haven for terrorists. AMB also said he hoped next
week's State-led team would be followed by other teams, which
could discuss the reintegration law, info ops, Turkish
refugees in Iraq (Makhmour) and other strategy elements on
which we could cooperate. GEN Abizaid has his hands full at
the moment, but the internationalization of the coalition
should help free-up US forces to deal with the PKK/KADEK.
Ozkok said he understood why anti-PKK/KADEK ops had moved
slowly, but now they must move more quickly.


BORDER DIFFICULTIES: When AMB pointed out slow-downs in fuel
shipments to the 101st AB in nIZ, Ozkok admitted that Turkish
border operations were too slow. The Habur Gate has a
limited capacity. Night operations are hampered not only by
lack of lighting, but by personnel shortages. The various
GOT agencies need to send more people so Turkey can process
vehicles 24/7, which is not currently the case.


NOTE: Army Attache (now in Silopi as mentioned above) told
us afternoon 9/5 that in fact the Habur Gate is operating
24/7, although the Turks there told him that manning was
reduced at night. Army Attache personally observed the gate
operating between 0200-0400 that morning. End note.
EDELMAN