AFGHANISTAN: TURKEY STILL CONSIDERING PRT FOR

UNCLAS ANKARA 003950 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS TU AF SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN: TURKEY STILL CONSIDERING PRT FOR TAKHAR REF: ANKARA 3618 ¶1. Turkish press reported July 15-16 that Turkey had decided to send a 200-man PRT to Takhar, Afghanistan. We contacted the Turkish MFA July 16 seeking confirmation/clarification. MFA informed us that while no decision has yet been taken, Turkey is indeed reconsidering its formerly withdrawn proposal (see reftel) to send a PRT to Takhar and expected to reach a final decision in the next two weeks. MFA South Asia Department will contact us when a decision is reached. ¶2. Kabul minimize considered. DEUTSCH