Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA7539
2005-12-22 15:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
ACTION REQUEST: TURKEY TO OPEN CONSULATE IN MOSUL,
how-toVZCZCXRO3967 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHAK #7539 3561524 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221524Z DEC 05 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0487 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2160 RUEHMOS/REO MOSUL PRIORITY 0011 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA// PRIORITY RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU// PRIORITY
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).
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
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