TGS PUSHES AGAIN TO KEEP NATO COMMANDS IN TURKEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000576 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2012 TAGS: MARR PREL TU NATO SUBJECT: TGS PUSHES AGAIN TO KEEP NATO COMMANDS IN TURKEY REF: A. 02 ANKARA 4702 ¶B. 02 STATE 129476 ¶C. 02 ANKARA 4829 (U) Classified by Ambassador Robert Pearson, reasons 1.5, b/d. ¶1. (C) In a Jan. 20 meeting with CJCS GEN Myers, Turkish CHOD GEN Ozkok noted that NATO should maintain its Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Eskisehir and its Joint Sub-Regional Command (JSRC) in Izmir and pressed for US support. TGS J-3 LTG Karabay reiterated Ref A request for bilateral consultations on NATO Command Structure Reform. ¶2. (C) Comment: The GOT's efforts to keep its CAOC and JSRC reflect its desire to remain an integral Ally on NATO's most volatile flank. ¶3. (U) This message has been cleared by JCS. PEARSON