KARZAI RECEIVES WARM RECEPTION IN TURKEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000249 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2016 TAGS: PREL TU AF SUBJECT: KARZAI RECEIVES WARM RECEPTION IN TURKEY Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Afghan President Karzai in his January 4-7 visit to Turkey expressed concern over waning international attention and asked for continued support, both moral and financial, from Turkey. In addition to a substantial hike in reconstruction aid, he signed agreements with the GOT, increasing educational support and pledging further Turkish investment in Afghanistan. The GOT expressed interest in establishing a PRT in Afghanistan. Press coverage was light, due to the Avian Influenza outbreak, but positive. Karzai left confident that Turkey was behind Afghanistan and the GOT was satisfied to take Afghanistan under its wing. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai paid an official visit to Turkey January 4-7, the first official visit to Turkey by an Afghan leader in 48 years. Karzai's entourage included six ministers (Foreign, Finance, Health, Higher Education, Education and Women's Affairs),as well as the National Security Advisor. Karzai visited both Ankara and Istanbul, though the Istanbul leg was mainly a "touristic and historical sight visit," according to Ahmet Yoruk, MFA's South Asia Section Chief. Karzai worried -------------- ¶3. (C) In his visits with the President Sezer, PM Erdogan, FM Gul, Parliament Speaker Arinc and TGS Chief Ozkok, Karzai indicated he was worried about the loss of interest by the international community in Afghanistan and asked GOT officials to help keep the world focused. Each interlocutor assured Karzai that Turkey would do the best it could. ¶4. (C) Karzai asserted that Afghanistan was still at the starting line and needed continued international support. Turkish officials all underscored Turkey's commitment to Afghanistan due to its historical ties (King Amanullah Khan sent Ataturk god and money after WWI, asked the British, French and Italians to support fledgling Turkey, and opened the first foreign mission to Ankara in 1921, two years before Turkey become a republic),and Turkey's continued support of peace and stability in the region. Karzai seemed pleased. More aid earmarked -------------- ¶5. (U) Karzai was also gratified to hear that Turkey raised its reconstruction aid to Afghanistan from $15 million to $100 million and that Turkey would attend the London Conference. Thank you, Hikmet -------------- ¶6. (U) During the visit, Karzai repeatedly addressed Hikmet Cetin, NATO Senior Civilian representative in Afghanistan, as "Hikmet Abi," literally meaning big brother, used as a sign of respect. Karzai urged that Cetin's tour of duty be extended and mused that Cetin was more popular than he was and could win any election in Afghanistan. ¶7. (C) Turkish officials asked Karzai's opinion on the establishment of a PRT in Afghanistan. Karzai joked that he wished Turkey would establish them all. He was keen to obtain more training for Afghan military personnel in Turkey. Afghanistan wants more Turkish investment -------------- ¶8. (C) Karzai used his visit to push for more Turkish investment in Afghanistan. He acknowledged that the Turkish private sector was concerned about security and legal infrastructure, but insisted that his government was "working on it." Yunus Tughra of the Afghan Embassy in Ankara noted that Rifat Hisarciklioglu chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB),gave his word that there would be more investment. (Note: Tughra added that the Afghan government will grant tax breaks to help entice Turkish firms to Afghanistan. End Note.) Turkish President Sezer and Karzai also signed a protocol on the establishment of a Program Coordination Office of the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) to be opened in Kabul. ... and Education -------------- ANKARA 00000249 002 OF 002 ¶9. (C) Karzai mentioned that he was impressed with Turkish education and wished for the education of more Afghan officials and private citizens in Turkey. In that light, he signed an agreement to increase post-secondary and vocational education of Afghan citizens. (Note: Currently 5,000 Afghan students are pursuing education in Turkey. End Note.) The Baskent speech -------------- ¶10. (U) On January 6, Karzai spoke before invited politicians and students at Ankara's Baskent University. He continued to talk of Turkey and Afghanistan's long historical ties and brotherhood. He lamented that the international community only took interest in Afghanistan's plight after 9/11, but that his country was on the road to recovery, needing 15-20 years more and Turkey's help. He received a round of applause when he claimed emancipation of Afghan women, adding that the parliament was 28 percent female. (Note: Turkey has a less than four percent female parliament. End Note.) ¶11. (U) Afghanistan of today, Karzai asserted, is not concentrated on politics; it seeks prosperity. "Politics drive religion to be extreme," Karzai stated, "but religion does not drive politics to be extreme." The Entourage -------------- ¶12. (U) The Ministers of Finance, Health, Women's Affairs, Education and Higher Education each had bilateral meetings with their Turkish counterparts. NSC Advisor Resul took a tour of the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) where Afghan police from all levels receive training. The program, started in 2005, will continue through 2006. Resul also toured the NATO Center of Excellence, which focuses on defense against terrorism. Press Reporting -------------- ¶13. (U) The Turkish media gave a fair amount of coverage to Karzai's first visit to Turkey as President of Afghanistan, although his visit coincided with the deaths of children from Avian Influenza, which dominated nearly all print and video press. The Turks gave Karzai a warm welcome and he left with promises of continued support for Afghanistan. Comment -------------- ¶14. (C) Karzai's visit highlighted Turkey's continued commitment to Afghanistan, especially in terms of deepening exchanges, promises of increased investment, and Turkey's much increased aid contribution. With the exception of Georgia and Azerbaijan, Turkey has had little success in playing a leading role in the region, which Turkey so dearly wants. Karzai's willingness and eagerness to let Turkey take such on a position will win favor in (and favors from) Ankara. WILSON