THIRD COUNTRY TRANSFER: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

UNCLAS ANKARA 003127 SIPDIS STATE FOR EU/SE AND PM/RSAT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS MARR IT TU SUBJECT: THIRD COUNTRY TRANSFER: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING GOT REQUEST TO TRAIN ITALIAN AIR FORCE PILOTS REF: A. 04 ANKARA 6911 ¶B. 04 ANKARA 7063 ¶1. This is an action request. See Paragraph 5. ¶2. The Embassy received on May 27 a diplomatic note responding to a USG request for detailed syllabus information on Turkey's proposed Italian F-16 pilot training program for consideration in evaluating Turkey's corresponding Third Country Transfer request. ¶3. Begin text of MFA note no. ALGY/2005-96: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to the Latter's Note no. 265 dated 25 February 2005, regarding F-16 training for Italian pilots, has the honor to present herewith the study prepared by the Turkish General Staff in response to the request of the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force/International Affairs-Weapons. The Ministry would kindly request the assistance of the relevant US authorities to expedite the permission procedures for the training of Italian pilots with F-16's. 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, 26 May, 2005 End Text. ¶4. Enclosed with the diplomatic note is a detailed syllabus of the training including flight, simulator and academic program descriptions, and expendables/range requirements summaries. Post will fax the syllabus information to the Office of the Secretary of Defense/International Affairs Turkey Desk and to State PM/RSAT. ¶5. Action request: The proposed training was scheduled to begin in May 2005 but was postponed pending USG approval of the Third Country Transfer request. Post requests a status update of the request and, assuming no further information is required, urges that the request be expeditiously processed. EDELMAN