TURKEY AND TALAFAR: A GOOD NEWS STORY, MOSTLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006255 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2015 TAGS: PREL MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY AND TALAFAR: A GOOD NEWS STORY, MOSTLY REF: A. ANKARA 5221 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. ANKARA 5452 Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C/REL GBR, AUS) Thanks to the efforts of our colleagues in Iraq, Embassy Ankara was able to work effectively to blunt negative public and policymaker opinion regarding the operations in Talafar last month. Turks are particularly sensitive about Talafar, a predominantly Turkmen city in northwest Ninewah province. They claim a kinship bond with the Turkmen there, and twice brought Turkmen delegations here (per the Turkish MFA) to try to persuade them to cooperate with the ITG and CF. ¶2. (C/REL GBR, AUS) One year ago, in September 2004, CF operations in Talafar brought U.S.-Turkey relations to the boiling point. The Turkish press ran negative, distorted, and blatantly throughout the operation. At the height of the operation, FonMin Gul threatened to cut off all GOT support for OIF (fuel shipments over Habur Gate, use of Incirlik Air Base). During the most recent operation, in September 2005, our colleagues in Iraq (both civilian and military) provided us with real-time, detailed, classified-but-releasable information on the operation that we could pass to Turkish government and military contacts. This helped us keep the temperature down among policymakers, and (indirectly) in the press. ¶3. (C/REL GBR, AUS) Turkish press coverage of this Talafar operation was relatively credible. The papers did publish ridiculous claims that CF were using chemical weapons, committing mass rape, etc. In contrast to Sept. 2004, however, the papers attributed these claims to specific Turkmen sources, rather than just stating the claims as fact. A number of stories were relatively neutral. Some even quoted official U.S. sources on the operation. It was clear to us that Turkish officials were prevailing upon the press to demonstrate some restraint. ¶4. (C/REL GBR, AUS) While we understand FonMin Gul did raise Talafar briefly during his Sept. 21 meeting with the Secretary, the GOT maintained a much lower profile on this SIPDIS issue this time around. In Ankara, no one above the MFA Director General level raised it with us. Both MFA and TGS contacts repeatedly expressed thanks for the information we were able to pass them on the operation. Additionally -- despite the regrettable decision by the Turkish Red Crescent to complain to the press (ref b) -- Turkish officials have characterized their delivery of humanitarian assistance to Talafar as a success. ¶5. (C/REL GBR, AUS) There are too many colleagues in Iraq for us to be able to thank individually for assisting us in this effort to keep the Turks informed and thus on the reservation. But we do want to single out David Alley of REO Mosul. David was in Talafar for much of the operation, providing us with timely updates and briefings. He was patient with and responsive to our frequent requests for information. Our hats are off to David and to all our colleagues -- both uniformed and civilian -- for all you are doing in Iraq. MCELDOWNEY