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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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"? -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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