ACTION REQUEST: TURKEY TO OPEN CONSULATE IN MOSUL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007539 SIPDIS SIPDIS BAGHDAD ALSO PLEASE PASS TO MNF-I REO MOSUL ALSO PLEASE PASS TO TASK FORCE FREEDOM E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015 TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV TU IZ SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: TURKEY TO OPEN CONSULATE IN MOSUL, SEEKS U.S. ASSISTANCE/CONSULTATIONS Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- please see para. five. ¶2. (C) Turkey plans to re-open its consulate in Mosul imminently. The Consul General will be Huseyin Avni Botsali, until recently Head of Department for Middle Eastern Affairs. Botsali notified us Dec. 18 that he will travel to Mosul Jan. 3-7 with a small team of approximately eight personnel to meet with Iraqi officials and look over three properties the Iraqis have made available for the consulate. (NOTE: Turkey had a consulate in Mosul in the Saddam era, but Botsali said the property was owned neither by the ITG nor the GOT, and in any case is "insecure." END NOTE.) ¶3. (C) During a Dec. 20 meeting with us, Botsali characterized the Turks' decision to re-open the Mosul consulate as part of the coalition's effort to "promote normalization" with Iraq. He believes a Turkish diplomatic presence there will send a positive message to all the communities in the region -- Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen -- and also serve as a sign of solidarity with the United States, since "we share the same goals for Iraq." ¶4. (C) Botsali asked that we pass to REO Mosul and TFF a request for a security escort into Mosul (if he drives; flying is still a possibility) and around town for his brief stay. He added that the GOT is providing two armored vehicles, but an escort would be appreciated given the current situation in Mosul. He asked to make courtesy calls on RC Mosul an the TFF Commander. He added that he would epecially appreciate our advice on security measres the GOT should take to protect its consulate and people. Botsali believes the consulate will only have three to four additional diplomatic and administrative personnel, but he estimates he will need about 20 Turkish police to provide security, at least until he can hire a local guard force. He would especially seek to hire a multi-ethnic, multi-sect guard force, he said. ¶5. (C) Action Request: We understand that providing security for Botsali and crew for his visit is a significant request, but as far as we know Turkey will join only us in having a diplomatic presence in Mosul. While the Turkish Consulate's interaction with certain groups may bear special attention, on balance we see this as a positive move, something the Turks and Iraqis have worked together to accomplish, and worth supporting. Thus we hope TFF and REO Mosul can meet Botsali's request. WILSON