IRAQ/TURKEY: GOT REQUESTS CONVOY SECURITY FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004374 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016 TAGS: IZ MOPS PREL TU SUBJECT: IRAQ/TURKEY: GOT REQUESTS CONVOY SECURITY FOR DELEGATION TRAVEL TO MOSUL REF: A. ANKARA 3880 ¶B. ANKARA 3692 ¶C. BAGHDAD 558 Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reason s 1.4(b,d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- please see para. 4. ¶2. (C/REL USA, GBR, CAN, AUS) On July 24, we received an MFA request for US military security and escort support for Avni Botsali, the Turkish Consul General-designate to Mosul, and his delegation, which will be traveling by land from Habur Gate to Mosul on Aug. 7 and returning to Turkey on Aug. 14. The delegation had originally requested support for the period of August 2-10 but postponed its travel at the request of the Turkish General Staff, which advised Botsali that the original timing was not good for US forces (NFI). Botsali is sensitive to MNF-I priorities and recognizes the difficulties of arranging a special escort from Habur exclusively for his convoy. He asked if it would be possible to include his group in an existing security convoy traveling from Habur to and from Mosul on the suggested travel dates, as had been done previously. Botsali is working directly with the Iraqis on security arrangements while in Mosul. ¶3. (C/REL USA, GBR, CAN, AUS) The GOT land party slated to travel on Aug. 2 consisted of 17-25 individuals, traveling by two Mercedes G-300 armored Jeeps and two OTOKAR Shortland APC's. However, some of the delegation were expected to travel by air at that time and Botsali is unsure if they will be able to arrange a plane for the later date. The delegation will include a security detail armed with M-16 rifles, M-203 grenade launchers, and Glock handguns. ¶4. (C/REL USA, GBR, CAN, AUS) ACTION REQUEST: We cannot judge from Ankara the competing priorities facing MNF-I and PRT Mosul during this time frame but appreciate Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I consideration of this request. We also look forward to Embassy Baghdad and Washington perspectives on possible security support (e.g. emergency coordination and safe haven) for Turkey's Mosul Consulate (refs a and b). END ACTION REQUEST. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY