Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA2542
2004-05-05 16:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

AFGHANISTAN/TURKISH PRT: FM GUL INFORMS NATO SYG

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS TU AF 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002542 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR SA/FO - AMB. TAYLOR; JCS FOR J5 COL SCHRADER


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2029
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN/TURKISH PRT: FM GUL INFORMS NATO SYG
THAT GOT WANTS TAKHAR


REF: ANKARA 2465


(U) Classified by PolMil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002542

SIPDIS


STATE FOR SA/FO - AMB. TAYLOR; JCS FOR J5 COL SCHRADER


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2029
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN/TURKISH PRT: FM GUL INFORMS NATO SYG
THAT GOT WANTS TAKHAR


REF: ANKARA 2465


(U) Classified by PolMil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).



1. (C) MFA NATO DDG Fatih Ceylan informed PolMilCouns May 5
that NATO SYG de Hoop Scheffer called FM Gul yesterday (5/4)
about summit preparations. The SYG took advantage of the
call to also urge Turkey to work with Italy to establish a
PRT in Herat. Ceylan recalled that Turkey had had polmil
talks with Italy on May 3 where the Italians made the same
proposal. Both the Italians and the SYG were told that
Ankara's "priority is to establish a PRT in Takhar." This
position was floated with deputy permreps in Brussels on May
4 as well. Ceylan reiterated that TU has no intention of
going outside of the stage 1 area (reftel). Turkey's Embassy
in Kabul was being instructed to inform the PRT ESC of
Turkey's intention to establish a PRT in Takhar before the
ESC's May 10 meeting so it might considered then.



2. (C) PolMilCouns urged the GOT to consult with SHAPE and
the PRT ESC about the most appropriate location for a Turkish
PRT. Ceylan replied that a Turkish delegation had gone to
Afghanistan and talked to most of the responsible parties
there, and Turkish officials had discussed options during
Afghanistan Coordinator Amb Taylor's visit here. A number of
interlocutors encouraged Turkey to look at Baghlan, but that
has now been taken by the Dutch, leaving Turkey few options
for a location in the north. He concluded by saying Turkey
would look to its allies to the support and assist the
realization of a Turkish PRT in Takhar.



3. (U) Kabul minimize considered.
EDELMAN