TURKEY: FY07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL TO REFURBISH

UNCLAS ANKARA 006076 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MAS PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: FY07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL TO REFURBISH TURKISH UAVS REF: STATE 134152 ¶1. (SBU) Turkey's two-plus decade long battle against the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) terrorist organization intensified significantly in 2006 following a steady increase in attacks since the PKK ended a five-year cease-fire in 2004. Over 600 Turkish civilians and soldiers and foreigners lost their lives in PKK-related attacks during the first half of this year alone, adding to the more than 37,000 who have died since attacks began in the 1980's. As visuals of grieving families at the funerals of Turkish soldiers began to dominate the news coverage, public outrage increased along with the rhetoric of government and military officials about the country's right to defend itself against attacks, many of which are emanating from northern Iraq. ¶2. (SBU) The US has pledged to combat terrorism in all forms wherever it exists. In a demonstration of our commitmet to work with Turkey to end the PKK attacks oming from northern Iraq, Gen (ret) Joseph Ralston was appointed as the US Special Envoy to Counter the PKK. Ralston is leading US efforts to bring Turkey and Iraq together to prevent the PKK from using northern Iraq as a terrorist base. The Section 1206 program would provide a tool for the USG in general, and Gen. Ralston in particular, to support Turkey's fight against the thousands of PKK terrorists that have entered Turkey and to monitor the country's border with Iraq to prevent further incursions. Turkey has three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in its inventory in various states of disrepair. If refurbished and maintained, these UAVs could provide eyes for the military to monitor border areas in southeastern Turkey from a safe distance where there is a high PKK presence. The information provided by the UAVs could help to prevent many deaths by allowing the Turkish military to proceed with greater vigilance in areas where the PKK could be preparing attacks or planting IEDs. ¶3. (SBU) Following is an $8.5M proposal for an upgrade, maintenance and training program for the three Turkish US-origin UAVs. This program has the full backing of the mission country team. The U.S. European Command has approved this proposal for submission to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for consideration. ¶4. (SBU) Begin Program Justification: ¶A. Program Name: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV),ECJ4 (U) Goal: Assist Turkey's efforts to monitor its eastern and southeastern borders as well as the disruption of PKK terrorist activities through detection of various critical resources by UAVs. US defense industry, specifically US General Atomics, would participate. (U) SCG Objectives: C5 - Work with partner to improve the collective ability to interdict the movement of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials. D2 - Build the capacity of allies and partners to disrupt and attack terrorist networks. (U) Target Country: Turkey (U) Total Cost: $8.5M ¶B. Program Classification: UAV system and national objective is UNCLASS, however, the PKK issue is SENSITIVE. ¶C. Target Country/Countries: Turkey ¶D. Description of the Situation: Turkey, the second largest military in NATO after the US, is a staunch ally in GWOT. In addition to commanding ISAF three times, including its current joint command of ISAF-Central with France and Italy - and the planned November 2006 establishment of its first PRT in Afghanistan -- Turkey provides training to Iraqi security forces and diplomats bilaterally and contributes personnel to NTM-I. It has committed naval assets and 900 troops to UNIFIL in Lebanon. At the same time, the government is battling a difficult war against the PKK at home. Since lifting its unilateral ceasefire in May 2004, the PKK and its affiliates have significantly stepped up attacks against Turkish security forces in the southeast and targeted civilians in tourist areas along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. According to the GOT, over 500 civilians have been killed in 2006 alone, a ten-fold increase since 2002, along with 91 security forces. Scores more have been wounded. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) - affiliated with the PKK - has warned tourists to stay away from Turkey. Tourism, which had seen significant growth over the past few years and was expected to set a new record this year, was down more than 5% from 2005, due in part to the increased bombings. From President Bush on down, the US has pledged to work with Turkey to combat this terrorist threat. The US has designated the PKK as a terrorist organization and obtained EU agreement to do the same. We are working with European governments to stop the financial and logistical support for the PKK. We are sharing intelligence on PKK activities in northern Iraq. But the attacks emanating from northern Iraq against Turkey's security forces and, increasingly, against its civilian population, continue to rise. On September 12, 2006, a bomb exploded in a park in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, killing 10, including 7 children, and wounding ¶17. Attacks on police stations and security forces are a regular occurrence. Televised images of the funerals of Turkish soldiers play out in the living rooms of Turkish homes on a daily basis, increasing the public outrage and government frustration on its inability to stop the bloodshed, and at the US for not following through on what it perceives as a pledge to take decisive action. During visits to Turkey in 2005 and 2006, Secretary Rice renewed the USG's commitment to assist Turkey to eliminate the PKK terrorist threat to the country. On August 28, the US appointed General (ret) Joseph Ralston as the US Special Envoy to Counter PKK Terrorism, demonstrating our commitment to eliminate the PKK terrorist threat to Turkey emanating from northern Iraq. In his initial visit to Turkey to discuss the issue, General Ralston pledged that every tool will be considered; nothing is off the table. One of the most critical tools to protect Turkish security forces and to prevent the infiltration of PKK terrorists from crossing into Turkey from Iraq is information. Turkey's UAVs provide a critical source of near real-time information that can help to prevent the deaths of Turkish security forces and civilians alike. ¶E. Theory of Victory: Assist Turkey in its efforts to monitor its eastern and southeastern borders as well as the disruption of PKK terrorist activities through detection of various critical resources through the use of UAVs. ¶F. Program Justification: Does this program involve foreign national armed forces or National Guard units? Yes, Turkish Land Forces. Is this a new program start or the continuation of a program already underway? New Is this program already being funded or partially funded? No Are there other authorities and funds that can be used to support this program? No Is the program a one-time investment or is 1206 funding requested as a bridge for a multi-year effort to eventually be funded through foreign military financing (FMF)? One time investment at this point until overwhelming success provides justification for continued investment in FY08. If it is a bridge to FMF, when will that FMF become available? Unknown. Has this program been proposed before? No Do you plan to employ Section 1207 authority in support of this proposal? No Does this program comply with Congressional limitations on US security and foreign assistance? Yes Does this program require a planning and execution order? No How do you assess the risk that forces we are training may use their new capabilities for purposes inimical to US interests? The UAVs will be used by TLFC within Turkey air space to detect PKK forces crossing over into Turkey from Iraq and PKK forces already in Turkey. UAVs are not offensive weapons. What actions will be taken to mitigate this risk? Third party agreement will be part of the LOA. ¶G. Program Plan: List specific activities proposed. Provide a maintenance, upgrade and training package to three aging Unmanned Aerial Vehicles currently in the TLFC inventory. TLFC acquired the US General Atomics UAVs in the early 90s and did not maintain the UAVs or training for pilot certification. TLFC uses the UAV to improve their ability to interdict the movement of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials. Build the capacity of TLFC to disrupt and attack terrorist PKK networks as PKK cross over the Turkish border from Iraq. Measures of effectiveness: Success in limiting the damage caused to TLFC personnel, border towns, and collateral damage to Turkish civilians. If training is involved, who will conduct the training? Both defense contractors and US military. What equipment will be procured? UAV maintenance and training update. Can all contracts by obligated by SEP 2006, SEP 2007? Yes, by SEP 2007. ¶H. Program Time frame Proposed start and end dates: Oct 06 - Sep 07 Point at which this program will transition from 1206 funding to funding through normal budget cycle: Unknown at this time. ¶I. Estimated Cost: $8.5M Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON