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