CFE: TURKEY SUPPORTS FLANK ENTITLEMENT TRANSFER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004834 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2016 TAGS: NATO PREL MARR KCFE PARM TU SUBJECT: CFE: TURKEY SUPPORTS FLANK ENTITLEMENT TRANSFER REQUEST REF: A. ANKARA 4310 ¶B. STATE 116608 ¶C. USNATO 170 ¶D. ANKARA 1043 Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reason s 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) We approached MFA Deputy Director General for Disarmament and Arms Control Bulent Meric August 18 for an update on Turkey's position on the U.S. CFE flank entitlement transfer request (see reftels). Meric reported that Turkey is willing to transfer -- on a non-permanent basis -- an entitlement of 63 tanks. Meric stated that Turkey can only contribute tank entitlements and must retain headroom in other areas due to other requirements. Turkey's conditions for this transfer are as follows: -- The entitlement should be re-transferred to Turkey when the need for the transfer disappears. -- There should be no permanent transfer of the entitlement to third parties. -- The entitlement should be used for the original purpose only and no other. ¶2. (C) The GOT is prepared to complete the transfer by the end of 2006. Meric suggested that the transfer agreement be made in the form of a MOU and relayed to other CFE parties via an F-04 notification. He said the GOT anticipates strong criticism from Russia (ref c) on the transfer and suggested such criticism be addressed in a coordinated fashion. ¶3. (C) Per Meric, Turkey had followed up with Norway and Greece on meeting the remainder of the U.S. flank entitlement transfer request for 166 ACVs and 31 artillery pieces (ref b). Norway confirmed it will provide the artillery, but Greece has not responded to Turkey on whether it will provide the ACVs. Expressing frustration, Meric said the GOT is not inclined to revisit this issue with Greece at this time and suggested the U.S. approach Greece directly. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON