IRAQ: TURKS PLAN TO ISSUE POSITIVE PRE-ELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000418

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ: TURKS PLAN TO ISSUE POSITIVE PRE-ELECTION
STATEMENT, BUT WILL NOT PRE-JUDGE THE RESULTS

REF: A. STATE 12757


B. 04 ANKARA 6769

C. ANKARA 352

Classified By: Counselor for Political-Military Affairs Timothy A. Bett
s for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) PolMilOff called on MFA Head of Department Avni
Botsali Jan. 26 to discuss ref a demarche. Botsali responded
that he expects the GOT to release a positive statement about
the Iraqi elections prior to Jan. 30. He said it would be
similar to previous statements the Turks have released which
have supported the election and the full participation of all
Iraqis (see ref b).


2. (C) Botsali said that he will wait to see how events play
out on Jan. 30 before drafting a post-election statement. He
reiterated familiar Turkish concerns about elections in
Kirkuk (ref c). Nationwide, the potential for violence and a
very low Sunni turnout will be chief on the GOT's mind as
Election Day approaches.


3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN