RESPONSE TO TURKEY ON UAE REQUEST FOR TURKISH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002909

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE AND PM/RSAT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL TU
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO TURKEY ON UAE REQUEST FOR TURKISH
TRAINING ON F-16S


Classified By: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) This is an action request. Ambassador has received
inquiries from Defense Minister Gonul, MFA UnderSecretary
Tuygan and MFA Deputy Director General for Americas Affairs
Ilicak in recent weeks regarding the status of the UAE
request for Turkish pilots to train UAE pilots on the F-16
Block 60s, which was submitted to the State Department in
Fall 2004. U/S Tuygan informed Ambassador that Turkey's
mission in Washington has learned from its UAE contacts that
the request has been denied. He has asked for USG
confirmation.


2. (C) Based on post inquiries, we understand that the
decision has been made to deny the request. Given the
repeated inquiries from our Turkish counterparts and their
informal understanding that the decision has been made, post
requests Department guidance on a response to the Turkish
government regarding the status of this request.
EDELMAN