AFGHANISTAN: PM APPROVES PROPOSAL FOR PRT IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002736

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SE, EUR/RPM, S, P, D


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2014
TAGS: MOPS PREL TU AF
SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: PM APPROVES PROPOSAL FOR PRT IN
TAKHAR; AUTHORIZES FUNDING FOR 3 HELOS FOR ISAF


REF: A) ANKARA 2542 B) ANKARA 2465 AND PREVIOUS


(U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch.
Reasons: 1.5 (B and D).


--------------
SUMMARY
--------------



1. (C) PM Erdogan approved the MFA/TGS proposal to establish
a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Takhar province and
agreed to provide the requisite funding. The MFA will
instruct its missions in Kabul, Brussels and Washington to
inform the appropriate authorities. Turkey will not consider
an alternative location, we are told. MFA asked that the US
back Turkey's proposal in its discussions with Allies, SHAPE
and Afghani officials. PM Erdogan also authorized TGS's
request for $1.5M for spare parts and maintenance for the
three Turkish helicopters for ISAF. The helicopters should
arrive in Afghanistan before the end of May 2004. MFA denies
press reports that Turkey is considering a request to provide
300 troops for security during the Afghan elections. End
summary.


--------------
PM BACKS PROPOSAL FOR PRT IN TAKHAR
--------------



2. (C) MFA DDG for South Asian Affairs Aydin Evirgen told
deputy pol-mil counselor May 13 that PM Erdogan had approved
the MFA/TGS request to establish a PRT in Takhar province.
Evirgen said the PM's approval also included necessary
funding (NFI) to establish and maintain the PRT. (One press
account cited a figure of $10M/year.) The MFA will instruct
its missions in Kabul, Brussels and Washington to inform the
relevant authorities of Turkey's decision. If Turkey's
proposal is not accepted, Turkey will not consider
establishing a PRT in an alternative location. "It is Takhar
province or nothing," Evirgin said. Evirgen said the GOT
would appreciate the USG's support for Turkey's proposal in
its interactions with other Allies, SHAPE and Afghan
authorities.


-------------- -
PM AUTHORIZES FUNDING FOR THREE HELOS FOR ISAF
-------------- -



3. (C) Evirgen said PM Erdogan had approved TGS's request for
$1.5M for spare parts and maintenance for the three Turkish
helicopters for ISAF. He said TGS planners were working hard
to deliver on TGS CHOD GEN Ozkok's pledge at last week's NATO
CHODs meeting to deliver the helos to Afghanistan by the end
of May 2004.


--------------
TURKISH TROOPS FOR AFGHAN ELECTIONS?
--------------



4. (C) Evirgen denied a Turkish press report that the GOT was
considering a request to send 300 troops to Afghanistan to
provide security during the Afghan elections. He said the
GOT had not received such a request -- "not from NATO, the
Afghanis or any other country." When asked how the GOT might
respond if it were to receive such a request, Evirgen said,
while he believed the MFA would positively consider such a
request, he could not be certain how TGS would respond.



5. (U) Kabul minimize considered.
EDELMAN