TURKEY APPROVES USE OF INCIRLIK AIR BASE AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ANKARA 002555

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY APPROVES USE OF INCIRLIK AIR BASE AS
MULTIDIRECTIONAL CARGO HUB

REF: 16 JUNE 2004 WALD/BASBUG LETTER

Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman, reasons 1. 5 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ten months after the US requested to
establish a multi-directional cargo hub at Incirlik Air Base
to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF),the Government of Turkey (GOT) has
agreed to the establishment of a cargo hub on terms slightly
more restrictive than those requested. Despite the delay and
the operational limitations, the approved hub should increase
the efficiency of US cargo movement to Iraq and Afghanistan,
reduce the strain on C-17s currently supporting those
operations and free up some for other missions. Hub
operations are expected to begin no earlier than June 1,

2005. Text of the Diplomatic Note containing agreed-upon
parameters included in para. 8. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Major General Sefer Ozturk, Turkish General Staff
(TGS) J-5 Agreements Division Chief, on April 26-27, 2005
convened meetings with Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
Chief Major General Sutton, ODC Agreements and Operations
Division representatives, the Assistant Air Attache and
Deputy PolMilCouns to work out the modalities of a cargo hub
at Incirlik AB to support US efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Joining him was MFA Deputy Director General (DDG) for
Americas Affairs Suna Ilicak who announced that PM Erdogan
approved the hub request on April 24 and the GOT was anxious
to finalize the agreement as quickly as possible. According
to Ilicak, the government had determined that the US request
was actionable under the current UN resolutions covering
Afghanistan and the TU Decree of Ministers covering US
overflight and sustainment flights in support of OIF, which
was first approved on June 22, 2003 for one year and renewed
again in 2004. However, because the one-year OIF decree will
expire in six weeks the GOT wanted to renew it for an
additional year before announcing its decision. Once
President Sezer signed the renewal decree, the GOT would
announce the hub approval. (Note: Ilicak expected the decree
to be signed on April 27 but ultimately Sezer did not sign it
until April 29. The MFA provided written approval that
evening but did not announce it until May 2, following the
return of the PM and FM from travel. End Note.)


3. (C) Using European Command (EUCOM) Deputy Commander
General Wald's June 16, 2004 letter of request as the basis
for discussion, General Ozturk outlined the GOT-approved
modalities, which were accepted with several minor changes:
The GOT offer prohibited all weapons, including crew
sidearms, but TGS agreed to allow crew members to transit
with personal sidearms as long as appropriate security
procedures are followed; the number of ground support
personnel was increased from 130 to 150; it was agreed that
flight schedules could be provided on a monthly basis and all
changes to the flight schedule, with the exception of
additional flights, could be notified by the 39th Air Wing at
Incirlik Air Base to the TU 10th Tanker Base Command at
Incirlik. Formal notification to the MFA and Turkish Air
Force will only be required for any additional flights.

APPROVED PARAMETERS
--------------


4. (C) The final agreed-upon parameters, while falling short
of the original request, allow establishment of a cargo hub
that will help alleviate pressure on the military airlift
aircraft currently servicing Afghanistan and Iraq. By
allowing the on/off-loading of cargo to/from contract
commercial craft, it will reduce wear and tear on military
airlift aircraft and free up some for other missions. The
six Incirlik-based C-17s will be able to provide the same
airlift to Iraq as 9-10 aircraft based in Germany with fewer
aircrews.


5. (C) Parameters:

- Incirlik AB will serve as a hub for cargo flights between
the US and US military installations in Europe and
Afghanistan and Iraq;

- Transit of non-lethal cargo only is permitted;
- Aircraft crew can carry sidearms and ammunition;

- Six military airlift aircraft (C-17) and up to 150 related
temporary duty support personnel can be stationed at Incirlik
AB to support intra-theater cargo movements;

- Contract commercial aircraft can transit the base;

- Monthly flight schedule must be provided in a reasonable
time period in advance of the flights. Any flights beyond
those included in the monthly schedule must be notified in
advance via a Diplomatic Note and notice to the Turkish Air
Force. The Incirlik AB hub operators must provide each day's
flight schedule one day in advance;

- Streamlined process for customs and visa requirements,
using the aircraft and/or passenger manifest as the passport
control document;

- Cargo will be imported/exported using "manifest only"
procedures;

- Flight crews RON;

- All cargo will be considered bonded and therefore exempt
from taxes, duties and other fees and charges;

- All cargo aircraft will be considered military or state
aircraft and therefore exempt from taxes, duties and other
fees and charges.

INITIAL USG REQUEST
--------------


6. (C) The original US request was for a hub to service the
CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) and process general
military cargo, including lethal cargo (i.e. weapons),but
not ammunition, under a single blanket clearance. Following
MFA indication in September '04 that it would be difficult to
gain Cabinet approval for a hub to service the entire CENTCOM
AOR, the US request was revised to limit the final
destinations to Afghanistan and Iraq. While the GOT did not
approve the transit of all general military cargo or a
blanket flight clearance, we understand that the approved
terms are acceptable to TRANSCOM and EUCOM. The GOT did
agree to all other elements of the initial request.


7. (C) Outstanding details: The framework agreement has been
approved but several details remain to be worked out in
mil-mil channels, including the amount of flight information
to be submitted in advance and how to address a requirement
for advance notification of the nationality of contract
carrier crew. We do not anticipate any difficulty in
resolving these issues.

DIPLOMATIC NOTICE OF APPROVAL
--------------


8. (C) Following is the text of the Diplomatic Note dated
April 28 which provides GOT approval of the cargo hub. The
Embassy was not provided with the Note until April 29,
following President Sezer's signature of the Cabinet decree
extending the current overflight agreement for Operation
Iraqi Freedom until June 22, 2006.

BEGIN TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE:

CONFIDENTIAL

SIPDIS

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Turkey presents it compliments to the Embassy of the United
States of America and with reference to the US request
regarding the use of the 10th Tanker Base Command in Incirlik
as a logistical cargo hub to support operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq, has the honour to inform the following:

Taking into account the UNSC Resolutions NO: 1368
(2001),1373 (2001),the North Atlantic Council Resolution
No: SG (2001) 1147 dated October 4, 2001 concerning
Afghanistan, the Decision of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly No: 722 dated October 10, 2001, the Turkish Council
of Ministers' Decree NO; 3240 (2001),and the UNSC
Resolutions No: 1483 (2003),1511 (2003) and 1546 (2004)
concerning Iraq and the Turkish Council of Ministers' Decrees
No: 5755 (2003) and 7515 (2004),the said request has been
approved.

The rules and principles to be applied during the
logistical cargo hub operation, as well as an appendix
regarding flight information to be provided by the US side,
are enclosed herewith. The Ministry kindly requests the
Embassy to bring the enclosed document to the attention of
the pertinent US authorities with a view to assuring their
full compliance.

The modalities of the facilities accorded in line with
the said request should be discussed and concluded with the
Turkish General Staff.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Turkey avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its
highest consideration.



Ankara, April
28, 2005

Encl: As stated.

Embassy of the United States of America
ANKARA

CONFIDENTIAL

END TEXT.



9. (C) Below is text of the noted attachment to the
Diplomatic Note which outlines the approved modalities of the
cargo hub. Paragraph 16 mentions Appendix 1, which is a grid
containing the flight information to be submitted in advance
on the monthly flight schedule, including: flight date,
aircraft nationality, type of aircraft, aircraft
registration, call sign, number of crew, name and four letter
ICAO location codes of departure/destination airports, and
the estimated times (UTC) of departure and arrival to and
from these airports.

BEGIN TEXT OF RULES AND PRINCIPLES ATTACHMENT:


CONFIDENTIAL

SIPDIS

THE RULES AND PRINCIPLES TO BE APPLIED DURING LOGISTICAL
CARGO HUB OPERATIONS


1. The UNSC Resolutions 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001)
regarding Afghanistan, the Decision of the Turkish Grand
National Assembly dated 10 October 2001 No: 722, the Decree
of the Council of Ministers dated 21 November 2001 No: 3240,
the UNSC Resolutions 1483 (2003),1511 (2003) and 1546 (2004)
regarding Iraq and the Decree of the Council of Ministers
dated 22 June 2004 NO: 7515 constitute the legal basis for
the US use of the 10th Tanker Base-Incirlik.

The inbound and outbound trans-shipment activities
(hereinafter referred to as the hub operation) at 10th Tanker
Base-Incirlik for general military cargo originating from
and/or bound for the US and/or US military installations in
Europe, solely be destined for Iraq and Afghanistan to
support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom. The territory of Turkey and its airspace shall not
be used by US assets involved in the hub operation for
offensive actions against any country. The hub operation
shall note include troop rotations.


2. The activities to be carried out during the hub operation
shall be in conformity with the National Law of the Republic
of Turkey, international law and courtesy rules as well as
10th Tanker Base-Incirlik regulations.


3. The US side is permitted to deploy 6 military airlift
C-17 aircraft to 10th Tanker Base-Incirlik to conduct the
inbound and outbound cargo movements of the hub operation.
The activities to be carried out by the US for the purpose of
the hub operation and their outcome shall create no financial
burden for the Republic of Turkey. Any compensation arising
directly or indirectly from activities carried out by the US
personnel involved in the hub operation shall be fully borne
by the US.


4. The number and the duties of the personnel expected to be
temporarily prepositioned to support cargo movements in 10th
Tanker Base-Incirlik shall be communicated to and approved by
the Turkish General Staff.


5. The status of these prepositioned personnel, the number
of which shall not exceed one hundred and fifty at any one
time, will be subject to the same rules and principles
applied to the US personnel currently deployed at the
aforementioned base, unless otherwise specified herein.


6. The necessary documentation for the US personnel as well
as the bill of lading concerning the cargo shall be submitted
by the US to the 10th Tanker Base-Incirlik. During the
aforementioned activities, no weapon (private weapon,
chemical weapon, photo-reconnaissance equipment) or
ammunition shall be carried.


7. Technical arrangements regarding the activities related
to hub operation that are not covered by this document shall
be concluded between the US 39th Air Base Wing and the 10th
Tanker Base Command-Incirlik under the coordination of the
Turkish General Staff.


8. In the event of accommodation within the Base of the
personnel (except for those who are temporarily deployed)
involved in the hub operation due to technical breakdowns or
for any other emergency situations that may arise, necessary
arrangements will be concluded between the US 39th Air Base
Wing and the 10th Tanker Base Command-Incirlik.


9. In case the need arises, the Turkish Government shall be
allowed to use the US aircrafts and other US assets and
capabilities to provide the existing Turkish military
presence in Afghanistan with logistical support under
conditions to be mutually agreed upon.


10. In case the need may arise, the Turkish side may suspend
or permanently cease the utilization of the 10th Tanker
Base-Incirlik by the US in the logistical hub operation, with
72 hours prior notification.


11. The flight crew shall not carry any side arms or weapons
on their person and shall not take them into the Base. The
aforementioned weapons will be kept in the aircraft in a
secure manner if the flight crew will continue their mission
with the same aircraft. If the flight crew will fly with
different aircraft, the flight crew surrenders their personal
arms to the U.S. armory with the attendance of the 10th
Tanker Base Command Security Company personnel where they
will be stored under lock until such time as the aircrew
leaves the 10th Tanker Base Command/Incirlik on their next
mission. At no time will the aircrew be carrying side arms
on their person while on the Base except for transit to and
from the armory with the attendance of the 10th Tanker Base
Command Security Company personnel.


12. The force protection and security matters, including the
VIP protection shall be in full responsibility of the Host
country.


13. The inbound and outbound military support equipment to
and from Turkey shall be subject to transit procedures. The
necessary documentation (bill of lading) regarding the crew
and the equipment shall be submitted to the relevant Turkish
authorities by the US side. Military support equipment
brought in transit to Turkey will be kept in temporary
storage facilities designated for this purpose exclusively.
The storage facilities within the 10th Tanker Base-Incirlik
shall not be used for this purpose and the said equipment
shall not be stored in these places.


14. Search and Rescue (SAR) missions within the SAR
boundaries of Turkey shall be performed by Turkish
authorities.


15. Refueling, electronic jamming shall not be carried out
and chaff and flare shall not be used within Turkish Airspace.


16. Flight clearance requests for all flights related to the
logistical hub operation shall be submitted in advance to the
TGS monthly via the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
line with the current procedures in consistence with the
attached Appendix 1. Any changes shall be notified to the
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the Turkish Air
Force.

17. During the flights within the Turkish Airspace, the
flight corridors specified in the Turkish Air Information
Publication shall be used, the air traffic commands given by
the relevant air traffic control units and existing NOTAMs
shall be complied with and all flights will be carried out as
IFR.


18. An ICAO flight plan will be filed and the clearance
number will be written in block 18th of the flight plan;
during flights within the Turkish airspace while especially
entering and exiting the Turkish airspace, wireless
communication with the relevant air control unit shall be
established and the "IFF"s will be kept "ON" at all times
during the flight.


19. The implementation of the rules and principles
established herein shall not infringe upon or violate the
sovereign rights of the Republic of Turkey. Nor shall the
said rules and principles be interpreted or applied in a way
that runs counter to the national law of the Republic of
Turkey.


20. None of the articles in this document shall affect or
restrict the Republic of Turkey's right to take the necessary
measures she deems necessary with a view to protecting her
national interests and security.


21. Iraqi bound flights shall be limited to the duration of
the "Decree of the Council of Ministers dated 22 June 2004
and No: 7515" (until 22 June 2005) or to the other Decrees
that may be issued to extend the duration of the said Decree.


22. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, no other
bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Turkey and US
are parties shall be applicable to this logistical hub
operation.

CONFIDENTIAL

SIPDIS

END TEXT.


10. (C) Comment: It took ten months of internal GOT debate
to decide that the government already had the authority to
allow the US to establish this cargo hub. MFA DDG Ilicak
explained the delay as a result of the FM's prerogative to
take decisions to the PM even where an umbrella authority
exists. Given the GOT's unwillingness to go against the
negative tide of public opinion toward the US in recent
months, the positive trend of events in Iraq may have
provided the political opening the GOT was looking for and
the prospect of a US congressional resolution recognizing an
Armenian Genocide in Turkey, or the PM's planned June travel
to the US may have dictated the timing. Whatever the
rationale, US cargo operations to Afghanistan and Iraq will
benefit, and the decision is welcome. End Comment.


11. (U) Kabul minimize considered.
EDELMAN