MFA OFFICIAL: TURKEY MAY/MAY RE-THINK A PRT IN 2005

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006844 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2014 TAGS: PREL MARR AF TU SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL: TURKEY MAY/MAY RE-THINK A PRT IN 2005 REF: ANKARA 6257 Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On Dec. 9, PolMilCouns and PolMilOff discussed ISAF Stage Two expansion and the apparent shortfall in Stage Two PRTs with Aydin Evirgen, MFA Deputy Director General for South Asia. Evirgen, who was deeply involved in our last effort to get a PRT from Turkey, said he had serious doubts about whether the GOT would be willing to revisit the issue now, especially during Turkey's command of ISAF VII from February to August of 2005. However, he added that he has begun "a mental exercise" on PRTs. He plans to evaluate the attitude of senior government officials in early 2005 to revisiting the PRT issue, and said he would let us know then whether the time was ripe (or not) for us to make a more formal approach. ¶2. (C) Comment: Though the Turks felt burned during the last attempt at PRT force generation (see reftel for a synopsis of that process),and it was evident that Evirgen himself felt personally burned, it was clear from his language and demeanor that Evirgen supports sending a Turkish PRT to Afghanistan, and that he was willing to make another attempt. Evirgen noted that Turkish military officers have told him how positive it was for Turkey to command ISAF last year, since it gave Turkish officers valuable experience in working in a multilateral military setting. This will, we expect, be part of his pitch to both civilian and military leadership here. ¶3. (C) Comment, cont.: Seeking a PRT commitment from the Turks now would likely be counter-productive. When and if we make a later approach, it must be both coordinated and coherent in order to be successful, indicating from the outset where a Turkish PRT might best be located. Evirgen hopes to bring senior MFA officials to Washington in early 2005 for consultations on Afghanistan. This would serve as an excellent opportunity for further informal discussions on a Turkish PRT. EDELMAN