Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA3841
2005-07-01 15:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY DENIES RELEASING ADDITIONAL EUPHRATES

Tags:  SENV EAID PREL IZ SY TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 003841 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL IZ SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY DENIES RELEASING ADDITIONAL EUPHRATES
WATER TO SYRIA

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.

UNCLAS ANKARA 003841

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL IZ SY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY DENIES RELEASING ADDITIONAL EUPHRATES
WATER TO SYRIA

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.


1. (SBU) Summary. According to a Turkish MFA water
expert, the GOT is indifferent to an announced increase
of Euphrates flow from Syria to Iraq as a means to
increase Iraqi electricity production. Euphrates flow
from Turkey to Syria has not been increased, although
Turkey continues to more than comply with its agreement
to provide Syria with 500 cubic meters per second. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) EST specialist inquired with MFA about press
reports attributed to Syrian Irrigation Minister Nader
al-Buni that as a "gesture of solidarity" with Iraq,
Syria has increased the flow of water from the
Euphrates to Iraq in order to boost Iraqi power
generation. (Given that the Syria-Iraq bilateral water
agreement allows Syria use of 42% of the Euphrates
water it receives, and given Syria's repeated demands
for more water from Turkey, this could imply that
Turkey is providing additional flows to Syria.)


3. (SBU) However, MFA Hydropolitics Advisor Yavuz
Cubukcu said there had been no increase in flows from
Turkey and that none was foreseen. The average flow
for 2005 is anticipated to be the same as 2004, i.e.
850 cubic meters per second. Cubukcu said the minimum
flow at the Syrian border likely to be 600-650 cubic
meters per second, which is more than the agreed
minimum flow of 500 cubic meters per second.


4. (SBU) Cubukcu offered the opinion that electricity
shortages Iraq resulted from inadequate infrastructure,
not water scarcity. He emphasized that Turkish water
infrastructure projects on the Eurphrates should not
have a major impact on flows downstream (other than to
smooth variations). Only 17% of the GAP region's water
infrastructure completed and the GOT does not have
discretion over Birecik Dam (the last major dam before
the Syrian border) reservoir storage since the dam is
operated by an outside consortium that requires a
minimum flow to operate the dam's hydropower plant.


5. (SBU) Cabukcu said the Turkish government remained
positive about the Turkey-Iraq technical committee
meeting agreed by the Turkish State Hydraulics Works
(DSI) and Minister Rashid during PM Jafari's visit to
Turkey. The GOT is waiting for the Iraqis to approach
them with proposed dates and content for the meeting.
Cabukcu said that, contrary to media reports citing al-
Buni, there were no plans for a tripartite Iraq-Syria-
Turkey meeting on water sharing.
MCELDOWNEY