NON-PAPERS SUBMITTED TO MFA REGARDING IRAQI TRAVEL

UNCLAS ANKARA 001535 SIPDIS E.O. 12356: N/A TAGS: CVIS CMGT SUBJECT: NON-PAPERS SUBMITTED TO MFA REGARDING IRAQI TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Ref: State 28744 ¶1. On March 4, 2004, Chief of Section met with Haluk Aca, Head of the Visa Department at the MFA to discuss GOT acceptance of Iraqi diplomatic and service (official) passports and the Interim Travel Document for visa issuance. She also provided him a copy of the revised CPA Order 16. ¶2. Mr. Aca explained that the GOT currently accepts all Iraqi passports and, on rare occasion with advance permission from the MFA, will accept the Interim Travel Document. When MFA authorizes travel with the Interim Travel Document it is equal to the US passport waiver. The entry visa and stamps are placed on a different paper, not the interim travel document. ¶3. The GOT does not plan to ever accept the Interim Travel Document on a regular basis but will continue to accept all Iraqi passports. The GOT is looking forward to a secure ICAO compatible regular, official and diplomatic Iraqi passports, and refugee travel documents. EDELMAN