TURKEY: POL-MIL ROUND-UP, May 2007

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001620 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS MARR PREL GG MK BK AF GR EG AJ QA BA SA LE TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: POL-MIL ROUND-UP, May 2007 (Note: This is one of a regular series of unclassified reports on significant Turkish defense and national security issues in the press and other open sources. End note.) Contents -------------- -- 8th International Defense Industry Fair in Ankara -- Turkish General Staff Hosts International Symposium on Security -- Anti-Terrorism High Council Convenes -- Turkish Military to Close Camps on Election Period -- Turkey's Security Relations with Other Countries -- Defense Industry Activity 8th International Defense Industry Fair in Ankara -------------- --- ¶1. The 8th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF - the biennial Turkish defense fair) was held on May 22-25 in Ankara. 494 companies (333 foreign and 161 Turkish firms) from 48 countries participated in the fair, including 42 American companies. Many high level officials from different countries attended, including 10 defense ministers, 6 deputy defense ministers, 4 Chiefs of General Staff, and 7 defense undersecretaries. Ceremonies to mark the signing of 13 contracts were held. Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul met with official and unofficial visitors in an office dedicated to him in the fair area. On May 22, a bomb explosion near the site of an IDEF reception hosted by Turkish CHOD GEN Buyukanit, which was attributed to the PKK terrorist organization, killed 8 and injured 100, including 6 Pakistani IDEF participants. As a result, Turkish authorities increased security at the IDEF fairgrounds. Turkish General Staff Hosts International Symposium on Security -------------- -------------- ¶2. The Turkish General Staff hosted an international symposium entitled 'New Dimensions of Security and International Organizations' at the War Academies in Istanbul on May 31-June 1. Turkish CHOD GEN Yasar Buyukanit delivered the opening remarks to 800 participants from 55 countries. GEN Buyukanit said in his remarks that he has already notified the government of the need to launch a cross-border operation into northern Iraq. He also said countries providing logistical, financial and propaganda support to terrorists should be considered terrorists. Defining proliferation as a potential threat, GEN Buyukanit noted that the weapons development activities of some countries threaten the region. The changing roles of international organizations and their contribution to security policies; the role of the UN and NATO; and nuclear, biological and chemical weapons counter-measures were among other issues discussed in the symposium (ANA). Anti-Terrorism High Council Convenes -------------- ¶3. Turkey's Anti-Terrorism High Council, chaired by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, convened on May 18. This is the fifth meeting of the council in one year, but only the sixth since 1997. The Prime Ministry announced that issues like preparations for the fight against terrorism, border security, and electoral security were discussed in the meeting. Turkish Military to Close Camps for Election -------------- - ¶4. The Turkish General Staff announced it will shut down all military camps and recreational facilities during the week preceding the July 22 parliamentary general elections. Additionally, military personnel will not be granted annual leave during the period. The ANKARA 00001620 002 OF 003 decision will affect around half a million people considering families of the military personnel, as reported by the Center-right mass appeal daily of Sabah. The purpose of the closure is to encourage military personnel to stay in their district of residence during the election period and exercise their right to vote. Turkey's Security Relations with Other Countries -------------- --- ¶5. Georgia: Turkish Deputy Chief of Mission in Tbilisi, Firat Sunel, said at a ceremony at a military airport near Tbilisi that bilateral military relations with Turkey are advancing at a satisfactory level, while Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia said Georgia would work to boost military relations with Turkey. Turkey's military equipment grant to the Georgian Armed Forces is worth $ 750,000. ¶6. Macedonia: Turkey donated five new vehicles and equipment worth $291,000 to the Macedonian army on May 7. Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski said Turkey has been providing aid to the Macedonian military since 1991. Elenovski also noted that Turkey's assistance is valued at $50 million, according to the official Macedonian Information Agency. ¶7. Bosnia: A Turkish delegation led by Chief of Military History and Strategic Studies LG Eyup Kaplan visited Bosnian Defense Minister Selmo Cikotic on May 8. The Turkish delegation was composed of 12 generals, as reported by Sarajevo OSANA Independent News Agency. ¶8. Afghanistan: The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) donated 24 howitzers to Afghanistan on May 9. Afghan personnel who will be in charge of the howitzer batteries will be trained in Turkey, according to semi-official Anatolian News agency (ANA). ¶9. Greece: In January, the Turkish General Staff (TGS) began to report Greek violations of Turkish airspace. To date, the website has recorded 36 interceptions by Greek jets in international airspace over the Aegean Sea. An interception by Mirage-2000 and F-16 Greek jets over international airspace near Lesbos Island four times on May 19, another interception by Greek F-16 fighters on May 21, an interception in international airspace east of the Greek island of Rhodes by Greek F-16 and Mirage-2000 jets on May 26, and four interceptions by Greek F-16s in the international airspace over the Aegean Sea on May 28 are some of the interception reports. TGS reported 13 airspace violations of Greek planes in May alone. ¶10. Egypt: Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul received his Egyptian counterpart Sayyid Mash'al on May 23 to discuss boosting bilateral defense cooperation, as reported by the Cairo MENA official news agency. ¶11. Azerbaijan: A Turkish delegation of 12 generals headed by GEN Eyup Kaptan visited Azerbaijani military officials on May 23. GEN Kaplan said their visit aimed to boost relations and cooperation between the two armed forced (ANA). ¶12. Qatar: Turkish CHOD GEN Buyukanit signed a framework agreement for military cooperation in education, technology and science with Qatari CHOD GEN Hamed Bin Ali Alateyah on May 23 in Ankara. ¶13. Bahrain: Turkish CHOD GEN Buyukanit signed a framework agreement for military cooperation with Bahraini Defense Minister GEN Mohammad Bin Abdallah Al-Khalifa May 23 in Ankara. ¶14. Saudi Arabia: A delegation led by Defense Minister Gonul and SSM Undersecretary Bayar (Defense Industry Undersecretariat) visited Saudi Arabia from on May 27-31. The delegation met the Saudi King's deputy, the Defense Minister, and the Chief of General Staff and discussed the export of Turkish defense industry products to Saudi ANKARA 00001620 003 OF 003 Arabia as well as possibilities for bilateral defense industry cooperation. ¶14. Kosovo: Turkey assumed command of Multinational Task Force South (MNTF-S),one of the 5 regional commands of the NATO-led KFOR, on May 29. A Turkish battalion will serve with 757 troops in MNTF-S. The battalion's medical unit will provide health services to civilians in Kosovo (ANA). ¶15. Lebanon: The Turkish parliament on May 29 extended the mandate of Turkish troops under the banner of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year. The Turkish forces mandate will therefore expire on September 5, 2008 (ANA). Defense Industry Activity -------------- ¶16. SSM Undersecretary Murad Bayar signed the NBC Protective Suit Project Agreement signed with GAN Company at IDEF Defense Industry Exhibition, for the purchase of 149,792 NBC protective suits for the Turkish military. ¶17. Cessna Aircraft Company, EADS, Diamond Aircraft Ind., Shinyoung Heavy Industries Co, Alenia Aeromacchi, Aero Vodochody, Morovan Aviation, Cirrus Desing Corp took the RFP (Request for Proposal) for SSM's tender to procure 46 Basic Trainer Aircraft for Turkish Land Forces to replace the U-17 and T-41 aircraft (ANA). ¶18. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., EADS, Bombardier Inc-Aerospace and Boeing received the RFP for two Command and Control Aircraft for the Turkish Air Forces. The bid deadline is June 27 (ANA). ¶19. 28 Turkish and foreign companies applied for an information document for SSM's tender for 1 LPD, 4 landing craft (LMC),27 Amphibious Armored Attack Vehicles (AAV),2 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP),and 1 Rigged Hall Inflatable Boat (ANA). ¶20. Defense Minister Gonul and Ambassador Wilson announced in a joint press conference on May 11 that Turkey will procure 30 F-16 Block 50 aircraft, to be delivered in the first half of 2010. The total package price is about $ 1.78 billion. ¶21. Boeing announced on May 21 at the TUSAS-TAI facilities that the delivery of AEW&C (early warning and control) aircraft would be delayed due to software and hardware problems. SSM Undersecretary Bayar said it is not clear how much Boeing will pay SSM to compensate for the delay (Moderate pro-Islamic Zaman daily). ¶22. SSM signed a contract with ASELSAN on May 22 for the installation of electronic warfare defensive systems against on helicopters in the military's inventory (ANA). WILSON