TURKISH ASSISTANCE TO TAL AFAR AND KIRKUK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004219

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2015
TAGS: PREF PGOV MOPS IZ TU KCRS
SUBJECT: TURKISH ASSISTANCE TO TAL AFAR AND KIRKUK

REF: ANKARA 6100

Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION DAVID M. SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS
1.4 (b) AND (d).


1. (C) Summary. If the Turks want to offer humanitarian
assistance, and Iraq wants to take it, we have no objection.
However, there is no urgent need for Turkish aid. This aid
proposal is certainly politically charged and should be
negotiated bilaterally between the GOT and the ITG with
minimal USG involvement. Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I are
ready, willing, and able to facilitate the logistical
arrangements of any aid package the Iraqis agree to accept.
Proposed talking points for use with the GOT in para six.
Contact information for Baghdad POC in para seven. End
Summary.

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(C) Turkish Aid is a Bilateral Turkish-Iraqi Matter
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2. (C) The Turkish Government has expressed an interest in
providing humanitarian assistance for Tal Afar and Kirkuk and
in participating in the reconstruction of Tal Afar (reftel).
Last month's delivery of several truckloads of Turkish
humanitarian assistance to Tal Afar ended with recriminations
and allegations of theft in the Turkish press. Turkish
activity in Kirkuk and northern Iraq has been a sore point
with the Kurds. With the referendum and the elections on the
horizon, many Kurds are likely to view Turkey's offer as
Turkish meddling in Kirkuk affairs. Delivering the Turkish
aid, especially to Kirkuk, will be easier if there is an
Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) seal of approval.
Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I should, and will, facilitate
logistics of any assistance that Turkey and Iraq negotiate --
but the USG should not be involved directly in those
bilateral discussions.

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(SBU) Assistance Not Urgently Needed
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3. (SBU) The USAID officer responsible for Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance (OFDA) efforts in Tal Afar visited the
town a week ago. He reported that the humanitarian
assistance crisis is in its final stages. Most people have
returned home. Additional resources could go into warehouses
there, but there is no apparent pressing need for additional
humanitarian assistance.

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(SBU) Tal Afar Reconstruction: Hospital
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4. (SBU) During his trip to Tal Afar a week ago, USAID
officer called on the Director of the Tal Afar Hospital.
When asked directly if the hospital needed humanitarian
assistance, the Director said no. He explained that the
hospital had enough supplies, although they could use a few
small, relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment such as
pulse oxymeters (used by anesthesiologists). The hospital
has some minor structural damage; an OFDA NGO partner is
scheduled to make the repairs.

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(SBU) Tal Afar Reconstruction: Water Project
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5. (SBU) MNF-I plans approximately 13 water projects for Tal
Afar, ranging from a simple water tank installation at the
Mayor's office to major feed pipeline repairs. The Coalition
Forces (CF) Commander on the ground coordinates these
projects with the ITG at either the local (Mayor's office) or
provincial (Provincial Reconstruction and Development
Committee) level; the local and provincial governments then
pass them up to the national government. The bottom line is
that it is up to the ITG to decide whether to work with
Turkey on specific projects that the GOT wants to fund or
execute. If/when the Iraqis agree to Turkish participation
in one or more water projects for Tal Afar, CF - if requested
- can assist the ITG in identifying the best project to which
the GOT can contribute. The Turkish Red Crescent provided
humanitarian assistance last month to Tal Afar as the result
of an arrangement negotiated directly between the two
sovereign governments. CF, with the full knowledge of the
ITG, then facilitate
d safe passage for those convoys.

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(SBU) Proposed TPs for Use With Turkish Interlocutors
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6. (SBU) Embassy Baghdad suggests the following talking
points for use with Turkish interlocutors:

-- We understand that there is no pressing need for
additional humanitarian assistance to Tal Afar or Kirkuk
during Ramadan.
-- We understand that the Tal Afar hospital has no pressing
need for assistance, although they would welcome some small,
relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment such as pulse
oxymeters.

-- The offer of humanitarian assistance and help with
reconstruction of Tal Afar are bilateral matters that your
government should work out directly with the ITG.

-- It is up to the ITG to decide whether to work with Turkey
on specific projects that the GOT wants to fund or execute.
If/when the Iraqis agree to Turkish participation in one or
more projects for Tal Afar, Coalition Forces - if requested -
can assist the ITG in identifying the best project to which
the GOT can contribute.
-- Aydin Selcen, the Turkish DCM in Baghdad, worked out
details with the Iraqi PM's office on the most recent
humanitarian assistance delivery from Turkey. We would
suggest that your government approach the ITG again through
that channel.

-- If/when your government works out a bilateral arrangement
with the Iraqis to provide humanitarian assistance and
participate in reconstruction of Tal Afar, Embassy Baghdad
will facilitate logistical arrangements with MNF-I.

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POC in Baghdad
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7. POC in Iraq on this issue is Refugee Coordinator Camille
Hill, email: hillcd2@state.gov, cell phone (U.S. area code):
914-822-5680.
Khalilzad