THIRD COUNTRY TRANSFER: MFA REQUESTS STATUS REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002799 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/RSAT, EUR/SE, EAP/RSP, AND EAP/PMBS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2014 TAGS: MASS MARR SN TU SUBJECT: THIRD COUNTRY TRANSFER: MFA REQUESTS STATUS REPORT ON TURKEY'S REQUEST TO PROVIDE F-16 PILOT TRAINING TO SINGAPORE REF: A) HUGHES-KAMIAN 5/17/04 E-MAIL B) KAMIAN-HUGHES 5/17/04 E-MAIL C) ANKARA 220 D) KAMIAN-HUGHES 12/30/03 E-MAIL E) 03 STATE 317388 F) 03 ANKARA 6813 Classified by Pol-Mil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5. ¶2. (U) MFA/Americas official Netka Noyan telephoned deputy pol-mil counselor May 17 to inquire about the status of Turkey's request to provide F-16 pilot training to Singapore (refs C-F). The MFA subsequently sent the Embassy a diplomatic note (see para 4 for complete text) asking that the USG make every possible effort to expedite the processing of the case. ¶3. (C) Embassy understands that the U.S. Air Force recently provided the Department (PM/RSAT) its basic provisos concerning the GOT's request, and that PM/RSAT will begin obtaining the necessary clearances within the Department shortly. ¶4. (U) Begin text of MFA note no. 2004/ALGY/208534: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to the Ministry's Note numbered 2003/ALGY/541251, dated December 26, 2003, has the honor to request information regarding the approval process by the US Authorities for Government of Turkey's request to train F-16 pilots of the Singapore Air Force. The Ministry would kindly appreciate every effort to be made by the Embassy in expediting the approval process regarding the aforementioned training. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. End text. ¶5. (U) Action request: the Embassy appreciates the Department's assistance in working with the U.S. Air Force to process the GOT's request, and looks forward to receiving a formal response soonest. EDELMAN