NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS ANNOUNCE END OF PMF - TURKISH

S E C R E T ANKARA 003758 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR JEFFREY AND NEUMANN, ALSO PASS MNF-I; STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2029 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS MARR MOPS IZ SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS ANNOUNCE END OF PMF - TURKISH PMF TROOPS WAITING TO SEE HOW WE TREAT PMF TURKMEN BEFORE RETURNING TO TURKEY REF: A. BAGHDAD 738 ¶B. BAGHDAD 716 ¶C. BAGHDAD 656 ¶D. ANKARA 3254 ¶E. ANKARA 2876 ¶F. ANKARA 2142 ¶G. ANKARA 1541 ¶H. ANKARA 676 ¶I. ANKARA 519 ¶J. 03 ANKARA 7526 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert S. Deutsch. Reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (U) This is an action request - see para 3. ¶2. (S/REL UK) On July 2, the Turkish MFA spokesman announced that "the duty of the Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) is terminated." (Full statement at para 4.) Upon seeing press reports that the Turks with the PMF were returning to Turkey, we contacted MFA Iraq Department Head Serra Kileli for confirmation. She said that the press stories were false and that, according to the Turkish General Staff, the approx. 25 Turkish PMF members were still in Iraq. Their departure, she said, would take some time. They would stay in Iraq until arrangements could be made to transport their personal effects and in order to see what MNF-I would do about employing the PMF's Iraqi Turkmen. ¶3. (S/REL UK) ACTION REQUEST: We request MNF-I be instructed to immediately contact the PMF and begin the PMF's transition and reintegration process as outlined to the Turks Refs A-C. Clearly, the Turkish PMF elements are watching to see whether we make good on our previous offers regarding PMF placement in Iraqi security structures. Our rapid movement on this will ensure a rapid withdrawal of Turkish PMF elements and bring the PMF's existence to final closure. ¶4. (U) Begin text of Turkish MFA statement on end of PMF issued July 2: As is known, the PMF was established in 1997 at the initiative of Turkey, the USA and the UK in order to monitor the cease-fire after the conflict between the KDP and the PUK in northern Iraq. Since then, the PMF has undertaken the important responsibility of maintaining peace in northern Iraq and its activities have been appreciated by the two above-mentioned groups in the region. By upholding this responsibility in a positive way, the duty of the PMF is terminated. By its nature, this force is comprised of local Iraqi personnel who were trained by a contribution of our (Turkey's) armed forces. It is understood that these trained personnel could be employed by the newly established security structures in Iraq. End text of MFA statement. ¶5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. DEUTSCH