TURKS REQUEST EMERGENCY HELO FLIGHTS AUTHORIZATION

S E C R E T ANKARA 000920 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2015 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKS REQUEST EMERGENCY HELO FLIGHTS AUTHORIZATION FROM IIG REF: ANKARA 499 Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) MFA Middle East/South Asia Director General Oguz Celikkol informed the DCM on February 16 that the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad had formally requested from the Iraqi Interim Government authorization to fly helicopters into northern Iraq for emergency extractions and personnel rotations. The request was transmitted by diplomatic note and followed up in meetings with the Iraqi MFA DG for Neighboring Countries Al-Abassi as well as Director of Protocol Tabikh. Tabikh reportedly undertook to work with MOD to develop a coordinated response. Celikkol also said that his embassy in Baghdad had been in touch with ours. ¶2. (S) Comment: The December 17 loss of five Turkish policemen in an attack in Mosul underscored for the Turkish General Staff (TGS) and the GOT the vulnerability of their personnel in Iraq. Turkey's effort to coordinate a rapid extraction capability is preferable to unilateral Turkish action and provides an opportunity for us to help define the parameters of such missions. As reported reftel, we understand MNF-I is prepared to engage the Turks on this subject once Iraqi authorities agree to the concept. Now that the Turks have made the request to the Iraqis, we hope the USG might find opportunities to encourage a speedy decision. End comment. ¶3. (U) Baghdad and REOs minimize considered. EDELMAN