THE CAUCASUS WORKING GROUP: NEXT STEPS

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