Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA1976
2007-08-01 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY REQUESTS VERIFICATION OF MILITARY CARGO
VZCZCXYZ0015 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #1976 2131624 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011624Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3235 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0917 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1008 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0531 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0434 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1657 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0009 RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY 6675 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001976
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2027
TAGS: PARM PREL EWWT MARR UP TU IZ CY
SUBJECT: TURKEY REQUESTS VERIFICATION OF MILITARY CARGO
ABOARD MV SLAVYANIN
REF: A. STATE 104162
B. STATE-NICOSIA-KYIV-ANKARA E-MAILS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001976
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2027
TAGS: PARM PREL EWWT MARR UP TU IZ CY
SUBJECT: TURKEY REQUESTS VERIFICATION OF MILITARY CARGO
ABOARD MV SLAVYANIN
REF: A. STATE 104162
B. STATE-NICOSIA-KYIV-ANKARA E-MAILS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
.
1. (U) Action request at para 4.
2. (C) Pol-Mil Counselor was summoned to the Foreign
Ministry on August 1 by Deputy Director General for Security
Affairs Sakir Torunlar, who requested information on the
vessel MV Slavyanin and verification that its military cargo,
reportedly destined for the Iraqi Security Forces, is
legitimate. Torunlar said that Turkey understands the vessel
is currently in Limassol. The Turkish government is
concerned that the military cargo could be diverted to PKK
and other terrorists once in Iraq. Torunlar noted that Iraqi
Prime Minister Maliki's office had told the Turkish
ambassador that it had no knowledge of the shipment, thereby
increasing Turkish suspicions.
3. (C) We told Torunlar that we are investigating the
shipment and would provide information as soon as it is
available. We requested that Turkish officials not draw
hasty conclusions as to the bonafides of the shipment based
on incomplete information.
4. (C) Action request: Post would appreciate any information
on MV Slavyanin and its cargo that we can share with Turkish
authorities.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2027
TAGS: PARM PREL EWWT MARR UP TU IZ CY
SUBJECT: TURKEY REQUESTS VERIFICATION OF MILITARY CARGO
ABOARD MV SLAVYANIN
REF: A. STATE 104162
B. STATE-NICOSIA-KYIV-ANKARA E-MAILS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
.
1. (U) Action request at para 4.
2. (C) Pol-Mil Counselor was summoned to the Foreign
Ministry on August 1 by Deputy Director General for Security
Affairs Sakir Torunlar, who requested information on the
vessel MV Slavyanin and verification that its military cargo,
reportedly destined for the Iraqi Security Forces, is
legitimate. Torunlar said that Turkey understands the vessel
is currently in Limassol. The Turkish government is
concerned that the military cargo could be diverted to PKK
and other terrorists once in Iraq. Torunlar noted that Iraqi
Prime Minister Maliki's office had told the Turkish
ambassador that it had no knowledge of the shipment, thereby
increasing Turkish suspicions.
3. (C) We told Torunlar that we are investigating the
shipment and would provide information as soon as it is
available. We requested that Turkish officials not draw
hasty conclusions as to the bonafides of the shipment based
on incomplete information.
4. (C) Action request: Post would appreciate any information
on MV Slavyanin and its cargo that we can share with Turkish
authorities.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY