TURKEY DEFERS ON TDA STUDY OF SECOND TURKEY-IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001831

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2015
TAGS: ELTN ETRD IZ PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY DEFERS ON TDA STUDY OF SECOND TURKEY-IRAQ
BORDER CROSSING

REF: ANKARA 1283

Classified By: DCM Robert Deutsch for reasons 1.4 b & d.


1. (C) Summary: The GOT considers additional border
crossings with Iraq a high priority, but contrary to recent
indications, it continues to insist that the second border
must be constructed according to the Turkish proposal -- with
the crossing near the Syrian border and new roads running
south to Mosul. MFA DG for Economics Oguz Ozge told visiting
TDA Regional Director Dan Stein and DCM on March 29 that
Turkey will stick by its position and was confident that "we
can persuade" the new Iraqi government that the Turkish
proposal is best. As a result, the GOT did not feel a TDA
feasibility study of the alternatives for a second border
crossing and road network was necessary. End Summary.

2. (C) Following up on MFA U/S Tuygan's inquiry to
Ambassador Edelman about our 2004 offer to fund a TDA
feasibility study of a second border crossing with Iraq, TDA
Regional Director for Europe Dan Stein and DCM met with MFA
DG for Economic Issues Oguz Ozge March 29 to explain the U.S.
proposal. DCM said the U.S. supports agreement between Iraq
and Turkey to build a new border crossing to relieve stress
on the Habur Gate crossing and support growing trade. The
U.S. was offering the TDA study as a way to evaluate the
various alternatives available (including the site of the
crossing and the supporting road networks) and clarify issues
for the two sides to focus on in their discussions which seem
to us to be at a stalemate, despite both sides commitment to
additional border gates.


3. (C) Ozge explained that currently there is only one route
from Turkey through the Habur Gate into Iraq -- via the Zakho
Pass, Dohuk and Mosul -- and that this route is already near
its capacity. Turkey does not think it makes sense to build
a second border crossing (as proposed by Iraq) that would
feed into the same crowded roads leading from Zakho to Mosul;
the GOT considers it essential to build several border
crossings and routes into Iraq to support the expected boom
in Turkey-Iraq trade. He said that Turkey would continue
pursuing acceptance of its proposal for a border gate at
Ovakoy and new roads over the tigris to Mosul as the first
additional project.


4. (C) Ozge emphasized that there are "no hidden motives"
behind Turkish insistence on its proposal. He noted that
Turkey did a feasibility study in 1996 that demonstrated that
the Turkish proposal was the best option; therefore a TDA
study was not necessary. He suggested that agreement on a
third or fourth gate could follow quickly agreement on the
second gate, and a TDA feasibility study of those options
might prove useful -- but only after conclusion of the second
border crossing as proposed by Turkey.


5. (C) Ozge said that Turkish officials have talked with
Iraqi government officials and Talabani, who agree that
several additional border gates are desirable. Once the ITG
is formed, he said, the Turks are confident they can persuade
them this proposal is best. He added that KDP head Masud
Barzani opposes the Turkish plan because he fears that he
will no longer be able to collect fees from Turkish drivers
entering Iraq. Ozge admitted, however, that the Turkish
proposed route would still run through KRG territory for
about 10 km. He insisted that "we can persuade Barzani,
too." In a previous conversation, Ozge's deputy Mehmet Gucuk
suggested that Turkey could "partially compensate" Barzani;
one option would be to guarantee a minimum flow through the
Zakho route.


6. (C) DCM emphasized that a TDA study could not proceed on
a limited basis and asked Ozge to clarify the GOT position.
Ozge responded that Turkey did not need the TDA study now,
but added that "we welcome your help." He suggested that
officials from Turkey, the ITG and U.S. meet together to
reach agreement on the second border gate. DCM responded
that the U.S. would be glad to join as an impartial observer
as long as both sides invited the U.S. to participate.
However, he emphasized that Turkish officials will have to
convince their Iraqi colleagues, pointing out that the Iraqis
may not have full confidence in the Turkish feasibility study.


7. (C) Comment: The Ambassador intends to follow up with U/S
Tuygan to confirm the GOT decision to defer a TDA study and
assure him that we continue to support efforts by Iraq and
Turkey to build additional border crossings.

8. (U) Baghdad Minimize Considered.
EDELMAN