INCIRLIK AND OIF-2: NO IMMEDIATE REACTION TO DIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000017 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2013 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: INCIRLIK AND OIF-2: NO IMMEDIATE REACTION TO DIP NOTE REF: A) SILVERMAN-DEUTSCH 12/31/2003 E-MAIL B) ANKARA 8015 C) ANKARA 7800 (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). ¶1. (U) Post delivered the diplomatic note contained in para 5 of ref b (as amended per ref a) to MFA Americas Department First Secretary Meral Barlas January 2 (DDG Ilicak and Department Head Erginay were unavailable). Barlas read the note and said she would forward it to senior MFA officials. She did not offer any substantive comment. ¶2. (C) DAO-Ankara continued to engage the Turkish General Staff regarding our request for a blanket clearance for aircraft in support of OIF-2. Around mid-day January 2, TGS provided DAO a letter authorizing a blanket clearance (with conditions). DAO is translating the letter into English and will communicate its contents to the US operator community separately. EDELMAN