USDP FEITH'S DISCUSSION WITH DCHOD BASBUG

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000607

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2030
TAGS: PREL MARR IZ AF TU
SUBJECT: USDP FEITH'S DISCUSSION WITH DCHOD BASBUG

Classified By: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman; Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On January 31 in Ankara, Undersecretary of Defense for
Policy Doug Feith met with Turkish Deputy Chief of Defense
General Ilker Basbug.


2. (C) The Bilateral Relationship

- Basbug described TU-US relations as "long-lasting" and
"comprehensive" and added "It's not wise to tie our
relationship to one problem (PKK). We can disagree in some
areas."


3. (C) Regarding Iraq, Basbug said:

- Success for US and coalition is the only option.

- Basbug asked "What will be the relationship between the
Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) and the constitution
and to what extent will provisions of TAL be retained?

- USDP Feith noting that Iraqis will write their own
constitution, said that US views are:

-- TAL is the constitution until new constitution is
developed.

-- Some items from TAL will likely be reflected in new
constitution

-- It is essential that principles like representative
government, right to select leaders, territorial integrity
and rule of law be retained.

-- US will limit its influence, as a matter of principle,
because Iraq belong to the Iraqis, not to the US.

- Basbug: "We have been very much afraid of the situation
in Kirkuk."

-- While statistics are fuzzy, Turks have seen reports of
120K Turkmen/Assyrians forced to leave and 300K Kurds have
moved to Kirkuk.

-- Basbug sees possibility of civil unrest and fighting if a
changed ethnic identity for Kirkuk is accepted. Kirkuk is
the key to the region's oil.


4. (C) PKK/Kongra-Gel

- Per Basbug, US has always supported Turkey in its fight
against the PKK terrorist organization.

-- Only one disagreement between US and Turkey on
PKK/Kongra-Gel issue: US military action vs PKK in Iraq.

-- Basbug asked the US to show political decisiveness against
the PKK/Kongra-Gel, giving example of using "just 2-3 F-16s"
in attacks on PKK targets.

--- USDP Feith replied US leaders wouldn't accept such a plan
and that GEN Abizaid is not in position to conduct anti-PKK
operations now. The right time to address the issue remains
to be seen.


5. (C) Influencing Turkish Public Opinion

- Basbug said the US's lack of action against the PKK has a
"very serious negative effect on Turkish public opinion".

-- USDP Feith, thanked Basbug for his recent comments to the
press and urged GOT officials to "give speeches and press
statements" to counter reporting antagonistic to the US and
its policies.

--- The bilateral relationship is important and needs to be
supported publicly by both countries' officials.


6. (S) NATO: Afghanistan and Caveats

- USDP Feith commented on problems caused by some NATO
countries limiting North Atlantic Council(NAC)-approved
operations through caveats and failure to provide promised
resources. Basbug said he doesn't foresee serious problems
during the ISAF VII rotation, which Turkey will lead.

7. (c) DCHOD's Responses to USDP's Three Proposals

- USDP Feith explained the new initiative to develop a
"Common Security Assessment (CSA)." It will be an effort by
the US to engage allies and partner in thinking through
security issues together with US to promote common ideas and
cooperation. Basbug asked if this was a NATO
responsibility. USDP Feith proposed to get started
bilaterally and said it might later become work for a larger
group.
-- Basbug suggested the CSA could be a topic for the Joint
Staff Talks in the spring or the High Level Defense Group
meeting in June 2005.
- Basbug thought USDP Feith's proposal for a Colonel's
exchange program is a good proposal, and TGS will consider it.

- USDP Feith suggested more cooperation with Turkey
regarding the US Joint Forces Command's "lessons learned"
methodology. The DCHOD was familiar with JFCOM's work and
said a Turkish flag officer is leading the section in
Portugal. The DCHOD said he would consider the proposal.


8. (C) PSI, F-16 Permanent Basing

- USDP Feith encouraged Turkey to play a larger role in the
Proliferation Security Initiative. Basbug said Turkey
supports PSI.

- Basbug seemed to understand the PSI Core Group no longer
meets and accept Turkey's being a part of the Expert's group.

- In response to USDP Feith's statement that the US is not
asking for permanent basing of F-16 squadrons at Incirlik,
Basbug noted.

-- F-16 units can deploy to Turkey and stay for six months at
a time, in accordance with the US Turkish defense (DECA)
agreement.

--- TGS is ready to open discussion on Weapons Training
Deployments at any time.
EDELMAN