TURKEY AND IRAQ DISCUSS STEPS TO IMPROVE TRUCKER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000047

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015
TAGS: EPET ETRD IZ PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY AND IRAQ DISCUSS STEPS TO IMPROVE TRUCKER
SECURITY

REF: 2004 ANKARA 6675

Classified By: Economic Counselor Thomas Goldberger for reasons 1.4 b &
d.


1. (C) Summary: Iraqi and Turkish delegations met in Ankara
December 29-30 to discuss implementation of agreements
reached at the November 30 trilateral (U.S.-Iraq-Turkey)
trucker security meeting. The Iraqis proposed a more eastern
route for Turkish truckers driving from Zakho to Baghdad and
pledged to keep the new route secure. They asked Turkish
help to construct secure rest areas along the route and to
establish a communications network for Iraqi forces
responsible for trucker security. Turkish officials want out
advice on the Iraqi proposals and want to hold the next
trilateral meeting in February. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Iraqi and Turkish delegations met on December 29-30
to discuss ways to implement agreements reached at November
30 trilateral (U.S.-Iraq-Turkey) meeting on trucker security.
According to Sedef Yavuzalp of the MFA's DG for Economic
Issues, which organized the meeting, the two sides focused on
three issues: agreeing on a secure route from the
Turkey-Iraq border to Baghdad, constructing secure rest areas
for drivers along the route, and establishing a
communications system for Iraqi forces coordinating security
for the drivers. The Iraqi delegation was led by Baghdad's
Ambassador to Ankara Sabah Omran and included representatives
from the Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, Foreign
Ministry, the Ibrahim Khalil border facility and the Iraqi
Chamber of Trade and Industry. The Turkish side was led by
MFA Director General for Economic Affairs Oguz Ozge.


3. (C) Safe Route: The Iraqi side reported that the current
route used by truckers -- through Mosul and Tikrit is unsafe
and Iraqi officials could not ensure security along this
route. They recommended that the truckers use an alternative
route, from the border town of Zakho through Dohuk, Erbil,
Altin Kopru, Kirkuk, Tuz, Khalis to Baghdad and pledged to
keep this route secure.


4. (C) Rest Areas: The Iraqi delegation asked Turkey to
build trucker rest facilities on the alternative route at
Daraman and El-Adaim, and to renovate a facility at Faida.
Turkish officials have not yet approached Turkish firms about
their interest in these projects.


5. (SBU) Communications: The Iraqi side asked for Turkish
help in establishing a network of military-type radios
dedicated to providing secure communications for Iraqi forces
responsible for maintaining security of the truck route and
to communicate with truckers. Turkish officials responded
that a GSM-based communications system might make more sense.



6. (C) Security: Iraq officials explained that security for
Turkish drivers along the new route would be guaranteed by
Iraqi security forces. Interior Ministry forces would
provide escorts for truck convoys and would secure rest
facilities. The Defense Ministry would be responsible for
patrolling the truck routes. The two sides agreed to ask
MNF-I to provide helicopter support for the truck routes.


7. (C) The Turkish delegation complained that fees collected
by Kurdish officials at the border are a major irritant and
cost for truckers and pointed out that such fees are not
collected at other Iraqi border crossings. The Iraqis
replied that any border fees must be approved by the central
government in Baghdad and promised to look into the
situation. The two sides also confirmed the need for a
second border crossing.


8. (C) Comment: The focus on practical issues is welcome.
Yavuzalp said that the trucker issue was one of the issues
Foreign Minister Gul was one of the issues MFA staff
recommended that Foreign Minister Gul raise with Deputy
Secretary Armitage when they met in Ankara January 3, but

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apparently he did not. Turkish officials are seeking U.S.
advice about the Iraqi recommendations. They also want to
schedule the next trilateral meeting on trucker security in
February.


9. (U) Baghdad Minimize considered.
EDELMAN