ISAF CAVEATS: TURKEY NOT LETTING GO YET

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003685 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016 TAGS: NATO MARR MOPS PREL TU AF SUBJECT: ISAF CAVEATS: TURKEY NOT LETTING GO YET REF: STATE 74035 Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Timothy A. Betts for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points to MFA Head of Section for NATO Affairs Ihsan Kiziltan on May 16. Kiziltan had no substantive reply, but said he would consult with the appropriate authorities. ¶2. (C) TGS/J3 Plans and Operations Chef MG Mehmet Eroz told us May 19 that Turkey's caveats were necessary due to ambiguity in the ISAF Operation Plan (OPLAN). Ankara interprets the OPLAN as contemplating two sets of forces in Afghanistan, one for security (OEF) and another for stability operations (ISAF). As an ISAF contributor, Turkey contributes to stability forces, but not security forces. This distinction was part of the reason for the GOT's caveats, such as the one saying Turkish forces won't be used to break up fighting parties (which only applies to "big groups," he added). ¶3. (C) According to Eroz, the OPLAN also provides for two types of reserves for each ISAF region: the region's own quick reaction force and, if that is inadequate, NATO's "strategic reserve." He maintained that it does not envisage forces from one region reinforcing units in another. As a soldier, he understood the need for the ISAF commander to have greater flexibility on the use of his/her forces, but Ankara remained "suspicious" of different interpretations of the OPLAN. He thought consultations between regional commands to come up with a common understanding of the OPLAN would help resolve this issue and clear the way for removal of Turkey's caveats. ¶4. (C) We periodically follow up, but have yet to receive a formal response to our demarche from MFA. MFA officials say they are awaiting TGS's views. We will continue to press the case against caveats. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON