Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA5674
2006-09-29 05:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

IRAQ: MFA REPORTS ON NEIGHBORS INTERIOR MINISTERS

Tags:  PTER PREL KCRM KNNP TU IZ IR EG SA KU JO 
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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).

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