THE CAUCASUS WORKING GROUP: NEXT STEPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001697 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS TU AJ AM GG KZ RS SUBJECT: THE CAUCASUS WORKING GROUP: NEXT STEPS REF: 05 ANKARA 7044 Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Caucasus Working Group began in 1999 as a bilateral mechanism for the United States and Turkey to coordinate on security assistance to the South Caucasus (except Armenia). It has since expanded to cover Kazakhstan. CWG has developed into a "political-military" discussion of the region, followed by more technical briefings on security cooperation. The Turkish delegation is generally headed by the TGS J5 Chief of Strategy and Force Planning, a two-star general. The U.S. has been represented by either a DAS or Office Director from OSD. ¶2. (C) Regrettably, from our viewpoint in recent years the CWG has borne little fruit. At least on the Turkish side, the political-military session has been a recitation of talking points, with little real discussion. Nor has the CWG succeeded in creating real synergy between U.S. and Turkish security cooperation efforts in the region. Generally we brief on what we do, and the Turkish military briefs on what it does. We understand from colleagues in OSD and EUCOM that they share this perception. Recently Turkish Land Forces Chief of Staff GEN Saygun (protect) told the Charge that he had helped found the CWG but was disappointed with it in its current form. ¶3. (C) Additionally, our EUCOM colleagues would prefer to channel Turkey into the South Caucasus Clearing House (SCCH) regime. Turkey has been reluctant to join SCCH, in part because it is technically not a NATO activity (though it has become the avenue Allies tend to prefer for coordinating on South Caucasus security cooperation),and also because GOT officials chafe at the Baltic states being the lead in SCCH. We continue to try to persuade Turkish officials here to join SCCH. Most recently, EUCOM's Europe Division Chief of the Plans, Policy, and Strategy Directorate, COL Anderson, who accompanied EUR A/S Fried and S/NEC Mann on a visit, encouraged Turkey to participate in the SCCH at a March 17 meeting with MFA Deputy Undersecretary Uzumcu on Caucasus issues. ¶4. (C) We understand Washington has some interest in modifying the CWG, or replacing it with a more genuine political-military dialogue with both State and DoD participation. (NOTE: TGS has already brought MFA into its delegation to the CWG. END NOTE.) We would welcome this, and would be delighted to work with Washington agencies on a way forward. Further, we would recommend that the security cooperation portion of the CWG be dropped and those issues be incorporated into the SCCH. We understand U.S. ODCs and DAOs maintain informal discussions with Turkish DATTs in the region, and of course this should continue. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY