IRAQ/TURKEY: NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ON THE WAY TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006204 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 TAGS: PREL PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ/TURKEY: NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ON THE WAY TO BAGHDAD; MODALITIES FOR PKK TRILATERAL TALKS REF: A. BAGHDAD 1524 ¶B. STATE 201785 ¶C. ANKARA 6170 ¶D. STATE 195610 Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We appreciate Baghdad's reporting on FonMin Zibari's desire for stronger ties with Turkey (ref a). The Iraqi ambassador to Ankara has emphasized to us Turkey's importance to Iraq and its generally constructive role (as opposed to Iran and Syria) in working for unified, prosperous, secure Iraq at peace with its neighbors. We note that both sides are working on their economic relationship, as evidenced by the first postwar meeting of the Turkey-Iraq Joint Economic Committee in Ankara this week (ref c). We also learned Nov. 2 that Turkey's new Ambassador to Baghdad, Ahmet Unal Cevikoz, will arrive there Nov. 15 to commence his duties. ¶2. (C) There are already two U.S./Iraq/Turkey trilateral processes we are trying to get off the ground: trucker security (ref d) and PKK/Kongra-Gel (ref b). Neither group has met to date, though we are hopeful that Amb. Cevikoz's arrival in Baghdad will help energize both projects, particularly on the PKK/Kongra-Gel. We hope that Zibari's comments mean that the IIG is ready to discuss modalities for beginning trilateral talks on border security, including the PKK/Kongra-Gel, an issue of great importance to the Turks (especially in light of increased PKK activity in Turkey itself). We stand ready to make appropriate representations to ensure the GOT has realistic expectations for the discussions. EDELMAN