Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA4753
2006-08-15 14:28:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY CONSIDERING HUMANITARIAN AID BATTALION AND

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU SY LE 
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VZCZCXRO0838
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV
DE RUEHAK #4753/01 2271428
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 151428Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7982
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0460
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0324
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1559
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1728
RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY
RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
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)

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