Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA1600
2007-06-22 09:34:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ
how-toVZCZCXRO2925 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAK #1600 1730934 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 220934Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2709 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0970 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0162 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2380 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY
S E C R E T ANKARA 001600
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER EUN TU US
SUBJECT: WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ
BORDER
REF: A. IIR 6 898 0417 07
B. ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
S E C R E T ANKARA 001600
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER EUN TU US
SUBJECT: WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ
BORDER
REF: A. IIR 6 898 0417 07
B. ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (S) Mission LNO on Turkey's border with Iraq was called in
urgently the evening of June 21 by the local Turkish Special
Forces brigade chief of staff and G-3 to be advised of
intelligence on PKK plans to attack Turkish forces stationed
in Iraq and receive notice of Turkey's intention to retaliate
if this or other actions against Turkish forces occur. LNO
characterized the local Turkish force chief of staff's notice
as serious and aggressive in tone (ref a).
2. (S) LNO pressed repeatedly for detail on the intelligence
regarding a PKK attack on Turkish forces in Iraq. The local
personnel he met with indicated it will be provided when
cleared. They indicated that the decision was made "one
month ago," referring to the June 2 incident in Suleymaniyah
when Peshmerga confronted Turkish special forces traveling
out of uniform but with weapons (ref b). TGS DCHOD told us
at the time that Turkey would respond forcefully if there was
a repeat of this incident. The Turks were emotional
throughout the brief conservation with our LNO and told him
to get the word out to US commanders in northern Iraq.
Information on this passed Thursday evening to MND-N and
Friday to Gen. Petraeus.
3. (S) Mission will discuss this with the Turkish General
Staff (TGS),Turkish National Intelligence Organization
(TNIO),and Foreign Ministry today to learn more about the
alleged intelligence of a PKK attack, to caution again
against action that would destabilize Iraq and northern Iraq,
and urge the Turks to use channels with MNF-I to seek
reassurance as to the protections afforded to Turkish forces
stationed in Iraq. Among other contacts, Ambassador and
visiting USAFE Commander Gen. Hobbins will meet with CHOD
Gen. Buyukanit on June 22.
4. (S) Comment: We believe that this is an "if, then"
warning and does not indicate any immediate intention to act,
but the context is disturbing. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER EUN TU US
SUBJECT: WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ
BORDER
REF: A. IIR 6 898 0417 07
B. ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (S) Mission LNO on Turkey's border with Iraq was called in
urgently the evening of June 21 by the local Turkish Special
Forces brigade chief of staff and G-3 to be advised of
intelligence on PKK plans to attack Turkish forces stationed
in Iraq and receive notice of Turkey's intention to retaliate
if this or other actions against Turkish forces occur. LNO
characterized the local Turkish force chief of staff's notice
as serious and aggressive in tone (ref a).
2. (S) LNO pressed repeatedly for detail on the intelligence
regarding a PKK attack on Turkish forces in Iraq. The local
personnel he met with indicated it will be provided when
cleared. They indicated that the decision was made "one
month ago," referring to the June 2 incident in Suleymaniyah
when Peshmerga confronted Turkish special forces traveling
out of uniform but with weapons (ref b). TGS DCHOD told us
at the time that Turkey would respond forcefully if there was
a repeat of this incident. The Turks were emotional
throughout the brief conservation with our LNO and told him
to get the word out to US commanders in northern Iraq.
Information on this passed Thursday evening to MND-N and
Friday to Gen. Petraeus.
3. (S) Mission will discuss this with the Turkish General
Staff (TGS),Turkish National Intelligence Organization
(TNIO),and Foreign Ministry today to learn more about the
alleged intelligence of a PKK attack, to caution again
against action that would destabilize Iraq and northern Iraq,
and urge the Turks to use channels with MNF-I to seek
reassurance as to the protections afforded to Turkish forces
stationed in Iraq. Among other contacts, Ambassador and
visiting USAFE Commander Gen. Hobbins will meet with CHOD
Gen. Buyukanit on June 22.
4. (S) Comment: We believe that this is an "if, then"
warning and does not indicate any immediate intention to act,
but the context is disturbing. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON