NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS PROPOSE ENDING PMF PROVIDED

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002876 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT. FOR EUR/SE AND NEA/NGA; BAGHDAD ALSO FOR CJTF-7 E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2024 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PINR TU IZ SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS PROPOSE ENDING PMF PROVIDED ITS MEMBERS GET POSITIONS IN IRAQI SECURITY FORCES REF: A. STATE 73836 ¶B. ANKARA 2142 ¶C. ANKARA 519 ¶D. 03 ANKARA 7526 ¶E. 03 ANKARA 6804 (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch. Reasons 1.4 b and d. Action Request at para 4. ¶1. (S/NF) On May 21, Turkish MFA Deputy Director General for Middle East Affairs Safak Gokturk passed PolMilCouns a non-paper (text at para 2) announcing Turkey's decision to end the Turkish-led Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) in northern Iraq, provided arrangements are made for the PMF's Iraqi members to join the new Iraqi defense and security structures. Gokturk said the paper had been coordinated interagency and represented a considered GOT response to Ref A demarche. Embassy believes every effort should be made to bring the PMF to closure before June 30. ¶2. (S/REL TU) Begin text of Turkish non-paper: Peace Monitoring Force -- We intend to announce our decision to end the PMF arrangement before June 30, 2004. -- The actual phasing out of this force, however, may take a longer period. -- The PMF was set up as part of the Ankara Process, jointly led by Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom. -- Therefore, the ending of this mission may well be announced through a joint statement of these three countries. -- A sizable number of Iraqi citizens (i.e., Turkomans and Assyrians) will be relinquished of their peace monitoring duties as a result of this decision. -- Arrangements for them to join the new Iraqi defense and security structures should now be initiated. -- They should remain only under Iraqi national command, and should not be utilized in any Coalition-led operations in Iraq. -- Assigning them to the protection of Iraqi installations of public or economic significance, such as refineries and pipelines, would be a useful option. -- The eventual announcement on the ending of the PMF will also depend on the progress made in this respect. -- We request the United States to take steps necessary to this end. End text of non-paper. ¶3. (S/NF) PolMilCouns explained the thinking behind the future role of coalition forces in Iraq and that it might not be practical to insist that former PMF soldiers not be used in coalition-led operations or serve under coalition command. He stressed that the US would expect the GOT to respect the decisions of the Iraqi government in this regard. Gokturk took note of the point and asked that the US and Turkey have discussion in the coming weeks on the details of relevant arrangements. Gokturk reiterated that Turkey's willingness to announce an end to the PMF will be linked to progress on identifying suitable employment for the approximately 350 Iraqis now serving in the PMF. He said that as the PMF was the creation of Turkey, the US and the UK, the three governments should jointly announce the decision to disband the PMF. The Turks would like to have USG views on the way forward before approaching HMG. ¶4. ACTION REQUEST: We request instructions responding to the Turkish non-paper, including views on future use of current Iraqi PMF members. ¶5. (U) Baghdad Minimize Considered. EDELMAN