CODELS NELSON AND WHITFIELD MEETING WITH D/CHOD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001373 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP PGOV PREL MARR TU SUBJECT: CODELS NELSON AND WHITFIELD MEETING WITH D/CHOD GEN SAYGUN ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Deputy Chief of Defense General Ergin Saygun briefed Codels Nelson and Whitfield on May 28 on Turkey's contributions to regional peace and stability. He complained that some European nations were seeking to re-define trans-Atlantic security at NATO's expense. He described the situation in Iraq as the greatest security challenge and "the executive summary of the Middle East." Partition of Iraq would be a disaster, he stressed; the coalition should seek to make all parties to the conflict there "equally happy or unhappy." He criticized creation of a de facto Kurdish state and accused Iraq Kurd leader Barzani of supporting PKK terrorism. He said Turkey cooperates with Iran on border security against the PKK but will support the international community's efforts to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Syria needs a "helping hand" to separate Basher from hard line Baathists in his government and Iran's embrace. He reaffirmed Turkish support for Israel, with which Turkey shares common regional challenges. Saygun said Congressional passage of an Armenian genocide resolution would hurt Turkey. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Using a powerpoint presentation, Saygun highlighted Turkish contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans, its support to UNIFIL, and its assistance to humanitarian missions in Africa. He underlined Turkey's troop contributions to the NATO Reaction Force (NRF), including its leadership of NRF 8. He described threats to NATO from some European countries who are seeking to re-define trans-Atlantic security, mentioning France's objections to NATO's engagement out of area. He complained that Turkey feels as if it must defend NATO against some of its own members. He noted, however, that NATO has not identified the PKK as a terrorist organization, although the EU has. ¶3. (SBU) Saygun described the situation in Iraq as the pre-eminent security challenge in the region. Iraq is the "executive summary of the Middle East," he asserted, lamenting the sectarian divisions plaguing the region. the Baghdad government appears unable to foster reconciliation. Saygun evinced little hope that the situation in Iraq could be brought under control. Partition, however, would be a disaster. He criticized Iraqi Kurds for seeking a separate state in northern Iraq, prohibiting the Iraqi flag and promoting their own institutions. He highlighted the status of Kirkuk as an issue of major concern for Turkey. While 120,000 Kurds were displaced from Kirkuk by Saddam, now 400,000 were being resettled in the area with the intention of making it a Kurdish city. Meanwhile, the Shi'a are expanding their influence from Tajikistan to the Gulf in a Shi'a "arc," Saygun warned. ¶4. (SBU) Senator Lott thanked Turkey for its leadership in NATO and asked if Turkey could do more in Iraq. Saygun said that Turkish facilities are available for the recalibration and refurbishment of U.S. equipment from Iran, with a potentially large cost savings to the U.S. government. ¶5. (SBU) Saygun complained that PKK terrorists were operating in northern Iraq with impunity, despite Turkey-Iraq treaties from 1926 and 1946 whereby both sides pledge to address security problems on either side of the common border. He expressed appreciation for U.S. help, said U.S. envoy General (retired) Ralston had done a "fantastic job," and hoped for success in a slow, painstaking process of combating PKK terror. Saygun asserted that the PKK is responsible for 80 percent of drugs going into Paris neighborhoods and controls the distribution of 40 percent of Europe's heroin. The PKK is also deeply involved in the smuggling of weapons and people. ¶6. (SBU) Turkey has enjoyed a peaceful border with Iran for centuries and Turkish authorities are cooperating with Iranian counterparts on border security against a common PKK threat, Saygun explained. At the same time, Turkey does not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon and will participate in the international community's efforts to prevent this. While Turkey is skeptical that economic sanctions will work, the GOT will do whatever it can without harming its relations in the region, Saygun said. Asked what Turkey would recommend in the absence of diplomatic success, Saygun said trade and travel sanctions were of limited usefulness. If Tehran wants to develop a bomb, it will, Saygun concluded, and Turkey will have to evaluate the political implications. ANKARA 00001373 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Saygun asserted that the largest number of terrorists entering Iraq are being funneled through Syria. While Basher al-Assad is less violent than his father, he is still influenced by old Baathist stalwarts. It will take time for Syria to integrate with the West. In Saygun's view, Basher needs a "helping hand" to keep out of Iran's embrace. ¶8. (SBU) Turning to the Caucasus, Saygun said that Turkey invites Armenian officers to NATO PfP activities and reported that he had sat with his Armenian counterpart at a NATO meeting in Istanbul. Turkey tolerates the presence of 40 thousand or more illegal Armenian "guest workers." Saygun told the Codels that Turks had also suffered much from Armenians. If the Congress passes an Armenian genocide resolution, Turkey will be deeply hurt. ¶9. (SBU) NATO must be successful in Afghanistan, Saygun stated, noting that Turkey had donated 155 mm howitzers to the Afghan National Army. Conditions on the ground remain difficult, however, and Afghanistan requires extensive reconstruction support. ¶10. (SBU) Discussing energy security, Saygun said Russian President Putin's intentions are clear: Russia wants to control every drop of oil going to the West. ¶11. (SBU) Saygun said Turkish - U.S. relations had stood the test of time. Since the end of the Cold War, however, there have been divergent interests. In Saygun's view, the U.S. is far too big to share identical interests with smaller countries; this is natural and we are not expected to agree on everything. Saygun denied that there is an organized anti-American "campaign" in Turkey. ¶12. (SBU) Asked about Turkey-Israel relations, Saygun described a close security and defense industrial relationship. He said that, as the only democracies in the region, Turkey and Israel share a common fate and common challenges. ¶13. (U) Codel Nelson and the Congressional Study Group on Turkey have cleared this message. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON