Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA249
2006-01-23 13:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
KARZAI RECEIVES WARM RECEPTION IN TURKEY
how-toVZCZCXRO8894 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #0249/01 0231353 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 231353Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2678 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0439 RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
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).
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
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