NORTHERN IRAQ: KURDS, TURKS AND THE PMF - URGENT

S E C R E T ANKARA 003254 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR GOMPERT AND T. KELLY, ALSO PLEASE PASS TO CPA NORTH AND MNF-I; STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2029 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS MARR MOPS IZ SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: KURDS, TURKS AND THE PMF - URGENT NEED TO BRIEF TURKS ON REINTEGRATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PMF'S IRAQIS AND KDP ON STATUS OF PMF DISCUSSION WITH TURKS REF: A. BAGHDAD 656 ¶B. ANKARA 2876 ¶C. ANKARA 2142 ¶D. ANKARA 1541 ¶E. ANKARA 676 ¶F. ANKARA 519 ¶G. 03 ANKARA 7526 (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch. Reasons 1.5 B and D. ¶1. This is an action request - see para 4. ¶2. (S/REL UK) This message seeks to clarify for readers of Ref A the players involved in the Turkish-led, but Iraqi staffed Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) and the state of play with the Turks in ending the PMF's tenure. The PMF, established by the US, UK and Turkey in 1996 to monitor the cease-fire between the KDP and the PUK, is comprised of approximately 300 Iraqi Turkmen, 85 Iraqi Assyrians and a cadre of 25 Turkish officers and NCOs. Thus, it is not a Turkish force, but an Iraqi one led by Turks and established by a coalition including the US. There is broad agreement, including among Turks, that the PMF has outlived its purpose and should be disbanded. Turkey has agreed to announce the end of the PMF provided the US finds suitable employment in Iraq for the PMF's 385 Iraqis (see Refs B and C). CPA and MNF-I have been working on this and have been in touch with the Turkish government on the matter, although the Turks still await a detailed briefing on options and procedures for decommissioned Iraqi PMF soldiers. The KDP and the Kurdistan National Assembly have been calling for an end to the PMF since fall of 2003. They have, up until now, been consistent in their position that this call applied to the PMF only - and not to the Turkish forces present in Iraq to monitor the PKK. Turkish forces monitoring the PKK are present in the north based on pre-OIF agreements between Turkey and the KDP and PUK respectively (see Refs D-G). ¶3. (S/REL UK) If we can find suitable positions for the Iraqi PMF soldiers, we expect Turkey would rapidly agree to announce the termination of the PMF, though its actual dissolution will be linked to the timing of the opportunities on offer. In light of this situation, it would be extremely unfortunate if the KDP moved against the PMF shortly after June 30, provoking conflict with the Turks, while we work for an orderly termination of the PMF that appears very close. It would also be unfortunate if we proved unable to make the offers necessary to elicit the promised Turkish statement before June 30. ¶4. (S/REL UK) ACTION REQUESTS: 1) We strongly recommend that CPA brief the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad on an urgent basis concerning opportunities on offer for decommissioned Iraqi PMF soldiers and solicit a commitment to make a statement before June 30 that the PMF is being shut down. 2) We also strongly recommend CPA-North or Task Force Olympia Commander brief KDP and PUK leadership on the state of play with the Turks and the expectation that the PMF will soon be closed, but with timing linked to our ability to place the PMF's Iraqis in suitable positions. ¶5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. EDELMAN