TURKEY: CONTINUED SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW OF FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001695 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: CONTINUED SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ REF: SECSTATE 91551 Classified By: PolCouns Janice G Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche to Turkish MFA Special Iraq Coordinator Oguz Celikkol July 2. Celikkol, who is well informed on the issue, responded that the Turks have repeatedly told Damascus that for the sake of the entire region, they need to take the necessary measures to cut the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq. They would reemphasize the point to the SARG, he said. ¶2. (C) Celikkol also noted that Syria had not participated in the Neighbors' working group on energy that took place in Istanbul June 28-29. His understanding was that Damascus - though it is responsible for the security working group - had decided it would not take part in the process until two Syrian soldiers, which he understands the Iraqis are holding, have been released. He characterized this as extremely unfortunate, as he believes Syria's participation in the Neighbors' process - particularly the security aspect - is essential. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON