TURKISH APPEAL FOR PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ COMPACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004132

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKISH APPEAL FOR PARTICIPATION IN IRAQ COMPACT

REF: A. STATE 109400


B. WILSON/JEFFREY TELCON 7/13/06

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


1. (C) MFA U/S Tuygen used a meeting with Ambassador and
visiting EB A/S Sullivan to urge that Turkey's exclusion from
the upcoming Iraq compact preparatory meeting be
reconsidered. He said it is clear that the compact will deal
with issues beyond economic reform, stabilization and
pledges/donor support, including political and security
matters. Especially in this circumstance, Turkey finds it
difficult to believe why it is excluded and finds this a real
disappointment. While it is true Turkey is not a major
donor, its role as a strongly supportive neighbor is clear.
On this basis, Turkey should come in, on the ground floor, of
any new, multinational Iraq initiative. Tuygen concluded
that he did not know whether change in the preparatory
meeting participants is still possible, but asked that
Turkey's views be taken into consideration.


2. (C) Ambassador responded that information available here
has stressed the economic orientation of the compact. As was
the case in Afghanistan, Iraq would undertake specific
reform, transition and developments goals, and major
international donors would commit to support those goals. We
are not aware in Ankara of a major security or political
focus. We also understood that agreement had been reached on
a major donor threshold of USD 200 million at or since Madrid
or the forgiveness of at least USD 4 billion in official debt
on Paris Club terms. He and A/S Sullivan noted their appeal
earlier in the day to Turkish Economy Minister Babacan
regarding debt relief for Iraq (septel). Tuygen, like
Babacan, responded negatively on the debt relief issue, as
have other Turkish officials -- including because the Iraqis
have apparently not raised it here. At the end of the
discussion, Ambassador said he would relay Turkey's concerns
to Washington.


3. (C) Comment: Painstaking diplomacy over the past 15
months has turned Turkey from a problem as far as Iraq is
concerned to a supporter of the government there and of
US/Coalition efforts to assist the Iraqi people, broaden
participation in the political system and back the new
government. While its financial contribution is not
particularly large, its political and logistical commitment
has been very substantial. Ankara has just given its
agreement to retrograde equipment out through Turkey that
will save the US military millions of dollars in
transportation costs. Including helpful Turkey while
excluding Iraqi neighbors Syria and Iran will send exactly
the right message about those countries' isolation from the
international community on Iraq and other matters. In the
Shared Vision document released together by the Secretary and
FM Gul, we pledged to continue collaborating on Iraq. We
strongly encourage that Turkey be invited to participate in
this effort.

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

WILSON