TURKISH AMMUNITION CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANESE ARMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001796 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2017 TAGS: MARR MOPS PTER PREL PGOV TU LE SUBJECT: TURKISH AMMUNITION CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANESE ARMED FORCES UNLIKELY REF: ANKARA 1703 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We followed up with MFA Head of Department for Middle East Affairs Sedat Onal on July 10 to press for a contribution of 105MM and 155MM ammunition to the Lebanese Armed Forces to assist in their continuing battle against Fatah al-Islam. Onal repeated pre-election political concerns reported reftel and told us he did not expect a positive MFA decision. ¶2. (C) We contacted the Turkish General Staff (TGS) J-4 Logistics Division July 11, who confirmed that TGS had sent MFA its recommendation opposing the contribution. The J-4 contact expressed frustration with our follow-up query, questioned why the U.S. and not Lebanon was pressing for the contribution, and commented that the ammunition could be used against Turkish troops serving in UNIFIL. ¶3. (C) Comment: Given TGS opposition and pre-election political sensitivities, it is unlikely that Turkey will agree to contribute ammunition to the LAF in the foreseeable future. End comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON