CODEL WARNER MEETS WITH TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS

UNCLAS ANKARA 001623 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: CODEL WARNER MEETS WITH TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS ¶1. Summary: In a March 23 meeting with Codel Warner, a group of Turkish parliamentarians representing both the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) expressed concerns about ongoing violence in Iraq and the PKK presence in northern Iraq. The Codel set out U.S. Iraq strategy and encouraged Turkey to share its experience in democracy with Iraq. End Summary. Shared Interests, Joint Values -------------- ¶2. Turkish parliament National Defense Committee Chair Cengiz Kaptanoglu welcomed the Codel and emphasized the U.S. and Turkey's shared strategic interests and joint values. Senator Warner replied by noting Turkey's pivotal role in the region and longstanding cooperation with the U.S. Senator Warner emphasized the importance of diplomacy, but added that diplomacy had to be backed up. Both Senators Warner and Levin asked for parliamentarians' views on the region, including Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Turkish Concerns: Iraq and PKK -------------- ¶3. Main opposition CHP MP Sukru Elekdag, Turkey's former Ambassador to the U.S., noted falling U.S. public support for the Iraq war and asked Senator Warner to explain U.S. Iraq strategy. AKP MP Recep Garip cited as Turkey's chief concerns the ongoing violence in Iraq; the future of Kirkuk; regional stability; and terrorism. Elekdag also asked pointedly when the U.S. would take action against the PKK in northern Iraq. ¶4. CHP MP Onur Oymen and AKP MP Ramazan Toprak also expressed concern over the PKK. Oymen urged the U.S. to allow Turkey to engage in a cross-border operation against the PKK. Explaining U.S. Iraq Strategy -------------- ¶5. Senator Warner emphasized the U.S. goal of bringing democracy to Iraq and noted the series of successful Iraqi elections. The U.S. is now urging the Iraqis to form a national unity government and is strengthening Iraqi security forces. He emphasized President Bush's determination to support the Iraqi government. There is currently no civil war in Iraq, Senator Warner concluded, but there could be if U.S. troops withdrew prematurely. Senator Levin added that despite different opinions in the U.S. about Iraq, there is unity in wanting the new Iraqi government to succeed. ¶6. Senator Sessions noted unanimity in the U.S. on the issue of terrorism. Iraq is at a critical juncture and it is important for both Turkey and the U.S. that Iraq become stable, peaceful and prosperous. Senator Sessions told the parliamentarians that the Codel had just been to Iraq and had urged the parties to form a government. Senator Sessions encouraged Turkish parliamentarians to share their governmental experience with Iraq. Sessions called PKK terrorism unacceptable and said the Codel had noted the parliamentarians' concerns. ¶7. Codel Warner was not able to clear this message before leaving Ankara. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY