GOI PROTESTS PRESENCE OF TURKISH TROOPS IN

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002333

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2026
TAGS: MOPS PREL TU IZ IR
SUBJECT: GOI PROTESTS PRESENCE OF TURKISH TROOPS IN
NORTHERN IRAQ

REF: A. ANKARA 2246 AND PREVIOUS

B. KIRKUK 97

Classified By: Ambassador Wilson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
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1. (S/REL GBR, AUS) The Government of Iraq has requested the
removal of the 1500 Turkish troops who have long been
stationed in northern Iraq to monitor the PKK, according to
the Turkish MFA. We understand from Embassy Baghdad that
this request may not have been fully coordinated within the
Iraqi Government. The Iraqi Ambassador in Ankara has
inquired with the Turkish MFA regarding reported large
internal troop movements toward the Iraqi border. He told us
that the Turkish MFA admitted that some Turkish soldiers have
proceeded a short distance over the Iraqi border while
engaged in "hot pursuit" of PKK terrorists, but he did not
seem overly concerned. MFA assured the Iraqi Ambassador that
no large-scale cross-border operations are in the offing.
Absent real action to deal with PKK freedom of movement in
northern Iraq, we believe pushing Turkey to remove its troops
would be counterproductive. End summary.

Turkish MFA: Our Troops Will Stay
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2. (C/REL GBR, AUS) MFA Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet Uzumcu
followed up with EUR A/S Fried and NSC Sr. Director Ansley
April 26 on an exchange the evening before between FonMin Gul
and the Secretary (septel) on Iraq's request that Turkey
remove its approximately 1500 troops from northern Iraq.
Turkey has maintained this largely static presence for a
number of years -- well before OIF's inception -- to monitor
PKK movements. Uzumcu hoped the Iraqis would not persist in
criticizing the Turkish contingent in Iraq and also hoped the
Iraqi demarche and Turkish troops in Iraq will not be
discussed publicly, as this would lead to strains in
Turkey-Iraq ties. Uzumcu said that Turkey will talk to the
new Iraqi government, including in the tripartite
(U.S.-Iraq-Turkey) format, and if Iraq can make progress
against the PKK in the north, Turkey can reduce its troops
there. GOT Deputy Special Envoy for Iraq Fazli Corman told
us April 27 that apparently the GOI had only made this
request via diplomatic note delivered to the Turkish embassy
in Baghdad, not in person.

Iraqis Also Concerned About Turkish Troop Movements
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3. (C/REL GBR, AUS) Subsequently, the Iraqi Ambassador in
Ankara, Sabah Omran, met April 26 with GOT Special Envoy for
Iraq, Oguz Celikkol, to discuss reported Turkish troop
movements toward the Iraqi border. Oddly, the Iraqi
Ambassador -- though acting on instructions from Baghdad --
did not raise the continued presence of Turkish troops in
northern Iraq. According to both Corman and Iraqi Amb.
Omran, Celikkol responded that movements of troops in Turkey
are only to combat the PKK threat within Turkey, and there
are no plans to carry out operations in Iraq. Gul told
Secretary Rice the same thing on April 25.

SIPDIS


4. (C/REL GBR, AUS) Following the Celikkol-Omran meeting, the
Turkish MFA spokesman released a brief press statement
characterizing the meeting as concerning Turkish troop
movements, noting that these are normal counterterrorism
activities to protect the border from infiltration during the
spring, and reaffirming Turkey's request to both the GOI and
USG to work with the GOT to eliminate the PKK threat. In
keeping with Uzumcu's desire to keep the issue out of the
public eye, the MFA statement made no reference to the GOI's
request that Turkey remove its troops stationed in Iraq.
Press coverage has also been limited only to the issue of
troop movements and alleged Turkish incursions into Iraq.

Turkey Already Carrying Out "Hot Pursuit"?
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5. (S/REL GBR, AUS) Additionally, Amb. Omran told us that
Celikkol admitted that some Turkish troops have engaged in

ANKARA 00002333 002 OF 002


"hot pursuit" of PKK terrorists a very short distance over
the Iraqi border. Omran said he was satisfied with
Celikkol's explanation of troop movements, and did not appear
overly concerned with Celikkol's revelation that Turkish
troops have been pursuing PKK suspects into Iraqi territory.
(NOTE: MFA officials have not confirmed such activities to
us, however. END NOTE.)

Comment
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6. (S/REL GBR, AUS) We have noted reporting from Iraq (ref b)
wherein some Iraqi officials have expressed concern about the
movement of troops within Turkey. The Iranian shelling of a
Kurdish village inside Iraq has led to speculation of
Turkish-Iranian collaboration, which FonMin Gul rejected
categorically to the Secretary. In addition to Gul's
assurances about no cross-border action, we have no credible
evidence of any plans or intention to carry out military
action in Iraq (very low-level hot pursuit notwithstanding).


7. (C/REL GBR, AUS) Comment, cont.: In the meantime, the 1500
Turkish troops in northern Iraq are there to monitor PKK
movements -- they do not carry out offensive operations. We
understand that both KDP and PUK peshmerga themselves closely
monitor (and protect) the Turks. Coincidentally, the special
forces portion of the Turkish presence (about 250 soldiers)
is now carrying out a routine rotation with fresh troops from
home. Without meaningful action against the PKK in northern
Iraq, agitation to remove the Turkish troops long present in
Iraq would be counterproductive at this time. END COMMENT.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON