GOT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR USG ASSISTANCE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006846 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SE, SA, AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2013 TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC MOPS TU AF SUBJECT: GOT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR USG ASSISTANCE IN KIDNAPPING OF TURKISH NATIONAL IN AFGHANISTAN REF: A) KAMIAN-SILVERMAN 11/3 AND 10/31 E-MAILS B) KABUL 2976 (C) MFA DDG for South Asian Affairs Aydin Evirgen told deputy pol-mil counselor October 31 and again November 3 that the GOT greatly appreciated the USG's assistance in the matter involving the October 30 kidnapping of a Turkish national in Afghanistan (reftels). On November 3, Evirgen reported that the Turkish Embassy in Kabul was in direct contact with the kidnappers. He remained hopeful of securing the Turk's release with the assistance of the US and Pakistan. Evirgen said the US and Turkish embassies in Kabul were in regular contact, and characterized the USG coordination and information exchange efforts with the GOT -- particularly those of Embassy Kabul -- as "superb." EDELMAN