TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ DONORS' MEETING IN

UNCLAS ANKARA 005351 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/SE AND EB/ODF:DE MARCELLUS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN IZ PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ DONORS' MEETING IN TOKYO REF: STATE 196084 ¶1. (U) Turkey's coordinator for Iraq Reconstruction Ambassador Rifat Okcun will lead the Turkish delegation to the Tokyo Donors' meeting, where Turkey will serve on the Donors' committee as a representative of the small donors. ¶2. (U) Okcun said that Turkey has not made any disbursements from its $50 million pledge because of the security situation. He noted that Turkish authorities had offered to rebuild hospitals in Baghdad and Kirkuk. In Baghdad, crews cleared away the old hospital building but have been unable to begin construction due to the security situation. In Kirkuk, Okcun said local authorities turned down the Turkish offer. He added that Turkey was sending humanitarian assistance to Tel Afar and a two Turkish officials would join the mission to investigate building a hospital there. ¶3. (SBU) Okcun said Turkey strongly supports U.S.-led reconstruction efforts and offered to meet with A/S Wayne before the meetings if the U.S. delegation wanted to coordinate prior to the sessions. ¶4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. EDELMAN