TURKEY: URGING EARLY HIGH LEVEL VISITS TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007596 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM IZ TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: URGING EARLY HIGH LEVEL VISITS TO IRAQ REF: STATE 231032 Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, Reason 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador took the opportunity of a December 27 meeting with Turkish MFA Deputy U/S Apakan to raise reftel points on the importance of the December 15 Iraqi election and follow up now on the establishment of a broad government. Ambassador described the election as a major step forward, with 70% voter participation - an increase of 2.5 million voters over the January 2005 election. Once the tally is finished and complaints have been addressed, the focus will be on government formation. We believe the best outcom for Iraq will be a cross-sectarian governmen - a national compact. We appreciate Turkey's outreach and the efforts to date of FM Gulin particular, Ambassador stated. Now, he urged, we need Turkey's continued help and engagement. ¶2. (C) At an appropriate point, Ambassador stated, we encourage Turkish leaders to visit Iraq to reinforce key messages among the Iraqi communities on formation of the government. A visit to Baghdad by FM Gul, who played a helpful role with Ambassador Khalilzad in Istanbul in early December, would be particularly welcome. In that regard, we could be in touch with our embassy in Iraq if that would be useful. In addition, after the new government is formed, it would be very helpful if the PM could publicly and strongly endorse both the government and the process that led to its formation, including by visiting Iraq himself. ¶3. (C) Apakan agreed on the importance of the elections, and promised to convey Ambassador's message to FM Gul. WILSON