TURKEY CONSIDERING HUMANITARIAN AID BATTALION AND

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004753 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2031 TAGS: PGOV PREL TU SY LE SUBJECT: TURKEY CONSIDERING HUMANITARIAN AID BATTALION AND LOGISTICS HUB FOR LEBANON REF: ANKARA 4710 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON for reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. The Ambassador met with MFA Deputy U/S Uzumcu on August 14 for a read-out of PM Erdogan's earlier meeting with senior military and MFA officials on Lebanon. Uzumcu reported that the PM's meeting discussed offering the Mersin Port and Adana airport as a military and humanitarian aid logistics hub as part of Turkey's contribution to a Lebanon operation. The GOT is inclined to participate in a PKO, possibly providing an existing humanitarian aid battalion, but needs more details before a final decision can be made. Parliamentary approval will likely be necessary, but Uzumcu said the military may start now to get a jump on the 3-4 week process to mobilize the battalion. Uzumcu expressed interest in other possible contributions, such as training and equipping the LAF, customs inspection and border monitoring, and acting as a gateway for humanitarian and commercial shipments. FM Gul plans to travel to Beirut soon to meet with PM Siniora, assess the situation and show support for the GOL and Resolution 1701. Gul also will visit Israel next week, and possibly Syria at a later date. On his August 11 meeting with Syrian DFM Arnous, Uzumcu reported that talks under Egyptian mediation to secure one kidnapped Israeli soldier's release may produce results soon. Syria also reportedly is willing to consider UN control of Shebaa Farms during an interim period. END SUMMARY. HUMANITARIAN AID BATTALION AND LOGISTICS HUB UNDER DISCUSSION -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S) Uzumcu said that Turkey's contribution to a Lebanon operation had not been finalized at PM Erdogan's meeting earlier that day with senior military leaders, in part because more details are needed about next steps at the UN. The GOT is discussing offering Mersin port and Adana airport for deployment and transshipment of troops and goods, he said. Air transport support to new UNIFIL personnel and Lebanon was not addressed at the meeting, but will be discussed with military authorities soon. While Uzumcu emphasized that it is premature to discuss possible troop numbers, he said the political will is solidifying for a contribution. He cautioned that Turkish Parliamentary approval will likely be necessary for any proposal, but added that the military will be asked to begin readying an existing humanitarian aid battalion for deployment -- a 3-4 week process. That battalion includes a Force Protection element, along with health and humanitarian aid specialists, according to Uzumcu. ¶3. (S) Uzumcu was waiting for more details from Turkey's UN mission about requirements for an expanded UNIFIL and force generation activities. The Ambassador explained that the country/countries that would take the lead needed to be identified, in addition to the practical step of a force generation conference. The Ambassador mentioned some other ideas being discussed for possible contributions, including training and equipping the LAF, a customs inspection and border monitoring role, or acting as a gateway for humanitarian and commercial shipments. Uzumcu recognized that equipping the LAF is a priority but said the military has not yet discussed the idea. Using Istanbul as a customs hub is a possibility but Uzumcu suggested the heavy congestion there may make Adana airport more practical. He said he will follow up on the ideas. FM GUL TRIP TO BEIRUT, ISRAEL AND POSSIBLY SYRIA -------------- --- ¶4. (S) FM Gul plans to travel to Beirut in a few days in order to meet with PM Siniora, assess the situation and express Turkey's support for the Lebanese Government and implementation of Resolution 1701, Uzumcu said, asking that this be kept close-hold. The trip is in part a response to PM Siniora's August 13 call to PM Erdogan, requesting support. Gul will make a separate trip to Israel next week, and may later go to Syria. The Ambassador urged against a trip to Syria and asked that we be informed well in advance ANKARA 00004753 002 OF 002 if such a trip proceeds. FM GUL MEETING WITH SYRIAN FM -------------- ¶5. (C) Uzumcu told the Ambassador that, during his August 11 meeting with Syrian DFM Arnous, the Syrians indicated that talks under Egyptian mediation for the release of the Israel soldier kidnapped in Gaza may soon yield results. The Syrians also expressed some willingness to agree to UN control of Shebaa Farms during an interim period. He added that return of the Golan Heights remains the Syrian priority. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON