Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA4754
2005-08-12 13:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

LETTER FROM THE DEFENSE MINISTER TO SECDEF ON THE

Tags:  MASS MARR PREL EFIN TU 
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121342Z Aug 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004754 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL EFIN TU
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM THE DEFENSE MINISTER TO SECDEF ON THE
SEAHAWK SALE AND EXIM FINANCING

REF: ANKARA 4517

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004754

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL EFIN TU
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM THE DEFENSE MINISTER TO SECDEF ON THE
SEAHAWK SALE AND EXIM FINANCING

REF: ANKARA 4517


1. On August 11, 2005, Embassy received the letter in para 2
from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. In it,
Defense Minister Gonul requests SECDEF's support for
extension of the 1990 EXIM Bank facility for the sale of
military helicopters to Turkey. This extension is a
condition of the sale of 12 Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters for
the Turkish Navy (reftel). Embassy is pouching the original
to OSD/ISP/EUR (LtCol Joe Collins).


2. BEGIN TEXT.

Ankara 09 August 2005

H.E. Mr. Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense

SIPDIS
USA

Dear Mr. Secretary

During my visit to USA, in June, I could not have a chance to
meet with you, since you were abroad. However; I had the
opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with your deputy, Mr.
Gordon England. I hope you accept my invitation and we will
be able to come together in Turkey.

If you will recall, in June 2002, the Export-Import Bank of
the United States ("Ex-Im Bank") approved an extension of the
U.S. Export-Import Bank special loan guarantee facility
established in 1990 to December 15, 2002 by recognizing the
strategic cooperation between our two countries. The $ 1.366
billion facility has enabled Turkey to expand its helicopter
fleet through the acquisition of over 100 helicopters,
providing a significant enhancement to existing Turkish Armed
Forces' maritime, utility, and special operations
capabilities. The BLACKHAWK helicopters being flown by
Turkish Armed Forces, were acquired using funds under this
credit facility.

Several factors have necessitated the availability of this
facility to be extended since its establishment in 1990. One
such extension enabled us to procure the above-mentioned
BLACKHAWKs. In addition to BLACKHAWKs, 8 naval helicopters
have been procured by a further extension of the availability
of the 1990 facility.

With your support in 2002, the third extension of the
availability to May 15, 2008, we were able to sign a contract
with a U.S. company for 12 naval helicopters using the
remaining funds in the 1990 facility. Because the period of
performance for this contract falls outside the window of the
provisions of the facility, it will be necessary to request a
final extension from the Export-Import Bank. I solicit your
support in ensuring that the provisions of the Export-Import
Bank facility do not interfere with our need to obtain this
critical capability that effectively supports naval
operations as a coalition partner in Operation Active
Endeavor (OAE) and the Proliferation Security Initiative
(PSI). These helicopters will also be engaged in Exercise
Reliant Mermaid with the U.S. and other partners and will
play a pivotal role in Operation Black Sea Harmony as well as
continuing to provide protection of our Sea Lines of
Communication and he Turkish Straits. Our Navy also requires
the 12 naval helicopters to help protect the approaches to
the terminus at Ceyhan, Turkey, of the pipelines carrying
Caspian and Iraqi oil to the world.

On July 26, 2005, upon authorization receipt by the Minister
of State in charge of the Undersecretariat of Treasury, a
final extension request to December 31, 2009 has been
presented to Ex-Im Bank. Meanwhile, we would like to draw
your attention to the fact that the Credit Agreements has to
be executed on or earlier than December 24, 2005, in
accordance with the effectivity conditions of the contract
for 12 naval helicopters.

We look forward to your support to ensure that we can obtain
these critical assets and there by increase our level of
engagement in ongoing allied mission and future exercises
necessitated by today's environment.

Sincerely yours,
M.Vecdi GONUL
Minister of National Defense
Republic of Turkey

END TEXT.
MCELDOWNEY