IRAQ: MFA REPORTS ON NEIGHBORS INTERIOR MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 ANKARA 005674 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016 TAGS: PTER PREL KCRM KNNP TU IZ IR EG SA KU JO BA, SY SUBJECT: IRAQ: MFA REPORTS ON NEIGHBORS INTERIOR MINISTERS MEETING REF: 05 ANKARA 4230 ANKARA 00005674 001.2 OF 006 Classified By: A/PolCouns Kelly Degnan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C/REL USA, CAN, AUS, GBR) MFA Director General for Security Affairs (S/CT-equivalent) Hayati Guven told us Sept. 22 that Turkey was disappointed with the final protocol on security cooperation the interior ministers of Iraq's neighbors adopted at their Sept. 18 meeting in Jeddah. Turkey had hoped that the document would be the basis for a stronger relationship with Iraq on the PKK issue, and would help to more effectively combat terrorism throughout the region. Instead, Guven reported, a number of countries (NFI) insisted on softening the language and the binding nature of the document. ¶2. (C/REL USA, CAN, AUS, GBR) Guven handed us the text of the protocol (text in para. 4) and the ministers' communique (text in para. 5). Subsequently, Guven's Head of Department who deals with terrorism issues, Nevzat Uyanik -- who attended the meeting -- told us that it had been the Egyptians who insisted on inserting language in the communique condemning the Pope's recent remarks on Islam. ¶3. (C/REL USA, CAN, AUS, GBR) Uyanik also briefed on the bilateral meeting between the Turkish and Iranian Interior Ministers on the margins of the neighbors' meeting. Reportedly, the two agreed to increase cooperation on the PKK threat, but mentioned few specifics. Uyanik assured us that there were no plans for formal or strategic cooperation with the Iranians on the PKK. Uyanik asserted that Minister Aksu reiterated to the Iranians the importance of cooperating with the international community on the nuclear issue. ¶4. (SBU) Text of Protocol on Security Cooperation (as received): BEGIN TEXT Protocol on Security Cooperation The governments of the countries of: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Syria, the State of Kuwait, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, hereinafter referred to as "the Neighboring States," and the government of the Republic of Iraq. Being convinced that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a major threat to international peace, and the security, stability and territorial integrity of all states, Taking into consideration the natural connection between terrorism and organized crime and emphasizing their common determination to combat terrorism and all types of organized crime, Seeking to promote and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between them, Respecting the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant Resolutions concerning the subject of this Protocol including those related to the measures aiming at combating international terrorism, as well as the provisions of international treaties and conventions in that regard that are binding on the State Parties to this Protocol which were concluded within the framework of international or regional organizations, In conformity with the Final Communiques issued through meetings of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq's Neighboring States regarding cooperation in the field of securing borders with Iraq, and combating terrorism and organized crime, ANKARA 00005674 002.2 OF 006 Desiring to adopt a multilateral protocol that would supplement treaties already in force between the Parties and be in conformity with them in the domain of security, Willing to strengthen the necessary mechanisms which enable their competent authorities to cooperate and coordinate with each other in the domain of combating terrorism, illegal border infiltration and organized crime in accordance with their respective regulations and laws, Have agreed on the following: Cooperation in the Domain of Combating Terrorism Article 1: The competent authorities of the Neighboring States and Government of the Republic of Iraq shall exchange information and views in order to prevent preparations for terrorist acts aimed at the security of either of them, and take up all effective measures to combat such acts. Article 2: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall work on taking all the necessary measures in order to prevent their territories from being used as an arena for planning or organizing or committing terrorist crimes, or inciting the perpetration of such crimes, or promoting or initiating or participating in these crimes in any form; including preventing the infiltration of terrorist elements or their gaining refuge or safe haven or residence therein individually or collectively, or receiving, recruiting, hosting, training, arming, financing or extending any facilities to them including propaganda activities of these terrorist elements. Article 3: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall work towards combating terrorist organizations that may operate in the territory of either of them, and exchange information abut those organizations, their activities, and methods of combating them. Article 4: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall exchange information, studies and research addressing the development of security measures connected with air, maritime and land transportation; airports, railway stations, sea ports, industrial installations, energy sources and other possible targets. Article 5: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall cooperate in identifying, investigating and pursuing individuals and organizations acting directly or indirectly for the benefit of terrorist or organized crime groups within their own states, and preventing the criminal activities of those individuals and organizations. Cooperation in the Domain of Combating Illegal Border Infiltration Article 6: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall develop and enhance their procedures concerning the monitoring and securing of borders, and air, land and sea entry points in order to prevent illegal infiltration, smuggling and other crimes. Article 7: ANKARA 00005674 003.2 OF 006 The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall enhance cooperation between them with regard to border security in accordance with any agreements in force or agreed arrangements in this regard. Article 8: Each of the Neighboring States shall seek to activate the role of the joint bilateral commissions or establish new commissions with the Government of the Republic of Iraq to ensure direct coordination between their border units. Cooperating in the Domain of Combating Organized Crime Article 9: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq shall cooperate in combating organized crime in all its types and forms, and in particular the following: ¶1. Crimes related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. ¶2. Economic crimes, such as money laundering, embezzlement and bank fraud. ¶3. Crimes of theft or illegal trafficking or smuggling of radioactive or nuclear or dangerous materials. ¶4. Computer, internet and information network crimes. ¶5. Crimes of forging visas, travel and other documents, official stamps, credit cards and securities and the counterfeiting of currencies. ¶6. Crimes of smuggling of weapons, ammunitions and explosives and their illegal trafficking. ¶7. Crimes of theft or smuggling of antiquities, artistic masterpieces and works of art and their illegal trafficking therein. ¶8. Crimes of trafficking in persons. ¶9. Crimes of smuggling of migrants. ¶10. Crimes of theft or smuggling of vehicles. ¶11. Crimes of theft or smuggling of precious gems and stones and their illegal trafficking. ¶12. Crimes of trafficking in human organs. ¶13. Crimes of sea piracy. ¶14. Crimes pertaining to the violation of intellectual property rights. ¶15. Crimes of smuggling of oil derivatives, goods and commodities. Article 10: Cooperation between the Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq in combating organized crime shall be achieved through the exchange of information regarding organized crime organizations, its members, the activities of such organizations, and the methods used in combating them. General Provisions: Article 11: ¶1. Each Neighboring State shall notify the Government of the Republic of Iraq of the names of its respective competent authorities entrusted to receive requests for cooperation within the framework of this Protocol. ¶2. In order to implement this Protocol, the competent authorities of the Neighboring States shall use appropriate means of communication to coordinate with competent authorities of the Republic of Iraq on activities concerning the combating of crimes mentioned in this Protocol. Article 12: Either of the Parties may refuse cooperation under this Protocol -- partially or wholly -- if such cooperation ANKARA 00005674 004.2 OF 006 infringes upon its sovereignty or security or public order, or is in conflict with its domestic regulations and laws, or jeopardizes investigations or ongoing measures being carried out in its territory, or contradicts a judicial order or judgment issued in its territory. Article 13: The Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq undertake to maintain the confidentiality of information exchanged within the framework of this Protocol, and neither of them shall transfer or relay such information to a third party without the consent of the party that provided the information. Article 14: Provisions of this Protocol shall not affect obligations emanating from any bilateral or multilateral treaty binding upon either of the Parties. Article 15: Disputes between any of the Neighboring States and the Government of the Republic of Iraq regarding the interpretation or application of this Protocol shall be settled through consultation and negotiation between both of them. Article 16: The competent authorities of the Neighboring States and the competent authorities of the Government of the Republic of Iraq may organize meetings of experts and officials in order to exchange expertise in areas specified in this Protocol. Article 17: The competent authorities in each of the Neighboring States may individually establish a joint bilateral commission with the competent authorities of the Republic of Iraq to discuss and enhance cooperation issues within the framework of this Protocol. Article 18: State Parties to this Protocol may seek to conclude separate bilateral or multinational agreement in areas that serve the objectives and purposes of this Protocol. Article 19: The term of this Protocol is three years starting from the date of its signing. It may be renewed for a similar period or periods. This Protocol shall come into force with respect to each Neighboring States and the government of the Republic of Iraq after a period of thirty days following the date of the second notification between the Neighboring State and the Government of the Republic of Iraq indicating the completion of domestic legal procedures. The remaining States shall be informed of its entry into force between a Neighboring State and the Government of the Republic of Iraq through diplomatic channels. Article 20: If a State Party wishes to withdraw from this Protocol it can do so by notifying the other Parties -- in writing -- of its intention to withdraw at least three months prior to the withdrawal date. Article 21: Done at the province of Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 25/08/1427 H (corresponding to 18/09/2006) in the Arabic, ANKARA 00005674 005.2 OF 006 Turkish, Persian and English Languages. All texts are of equal authenticity. In case of dispute regarding the interpretation of this Protocol, the English version shall prevail. The Protocol is of one original copy to be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and a certified copy shall be transmitted to each of the Parties. END TEXT The document was signed by Iraq's Interior Minister and the interior ministers of its neighbors plus Bahrain and Egypt. ¶5. (U) Text of Ministers' Communique (as received): BEGIN TEXT Concluding Communique On the basis of the invitation made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq's Neighboring States was convened in Jeddah on 08/25/1427 (H),18/09/2006, with the participation of the following States: the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, the State of Kuwait, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Arab League of States. At the outset of the meeting, the ministers reviewed the conclusions of the previous meetings (first and second) which were held in Tehran and Istanbul and expressed their satisfaction with what has been achieved. Following their discussions, the ministers agreed in their third meeting on the following proceedings: ¶1. To emphasize the importance of coordination and security cooperation among the neighboring member States and exchange information relating to combating terrorism and put more effort towards taking necessary measures in guarding and controlling the borders and ports to combat smuggling and infiltration of terrorists from and into Iraq and prevent using forged travel documents. The ministers also emphasized their support for the efforts of the Iraqi government to improve security and stability in the country and expressed their readiness to assist the Iraqi government in this endeavor particularly in the field of training in the light of Iraq's need. ¶2. The necessity to eradicate the terrorist groups' related activities threatening the security of Iraq and neighboring States in this regard. ¶3. To condemn the terrorist acts aimed at Iraqi citizens and others, including children, women, Iraqi security personnel, political and religious leaders, institutions including sacred places, and the denunciation of all that can spread division among followers of different religious beliefs and sects. ¶4. To reject all attempts that associate Islam with terrorism and stress the fact that terrorism in all its forms and types contradicts with the principles and values of Islam which denounces violence and extremism, to condemn the statements of the Pope and demand a clear-cut apology. ¶5. To sign the Protocol in the field of security cooperation that is in conformity with the existing agreements. ¶6. To emphasize the support of the unity of Iraq, its security, stability, and territorial integrity. ¶7. That the Ministry of Interior in Iraq is in charge of ANKARA 00005674 006.2 OF 006 establishing a provisional secretariat in Baghdad to coordinate and prepare for the ministerial meeting and follow up all resolutions and recommendations from the ministerial meetings and to coordinate with the Liaison officers of the parties. ¶8. To call upon on the ministries of Interior of Iraq's Neighboring States to support Iraq police bodies -- each according to its circumstances and potentials -- and to treat their injured officers and individuals as a result of terrorist and criminal acts in their police hospitals. ¶9. To pay tribute to the initiative taken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to establish an International Center to Fight Terrorism which was declared in the International Conference on Fighting Terrorism that was held in Riyadh-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 25-28/12/1425H corresponding to 5-8/02/2005. The ministers expressed their support for the efforts made to establish it. ¶10. The Miniters expressed their thanks and appreciations t the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting thismeeting and for maintaining a positive atmosphere for the participants. ¶11. The ministers welcomed the invitation made by the State of Kuwait to host the fourth meeting of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq's Neighboring States. END TEXT Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY