TURKEY-IRAQ: GOT PREPARES FOR PM MALIKI VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001998

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/SE AND NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON ENRG IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY-IRAQ: GOT PREPARES FOR PM MALIKI VISIT

REF: A. ANKARA 1990


B. ANKARA 1985

C. ANKARA 1337

Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Turkey's primary focus during PM Maliki's
August 7 Ankara visit will be on security-related issues.
The GOT hopes to make progress on a bilateral security
agreement, but does not expect to sign the agreement during
the visit. The GOT will also devote attention to economic
cooperation, including signing a pre-cursor to an eventual
free trade agreement and discussing issues related to
increased investment. Turkey remains committed to planning
and hosting in Istanbul the next ministerial of the Expanded
Neighbors process, and is eager to set a date for the
Istanbul meeting. END SUMMARY


2. (C) GOT Coordinator for Iraq Celikkol provided Charge with
an overview of GOT planning for the August 7-8 visit of Iraqi
PM Maliki to Ankara. Celikkol indicated Maliki would be
accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, National
Security, Oil, Science, and Youth, as well as National
Security Advisor Rubaie. Maliki plans to arrive in Ankara
the morning of August 7, remain overnight, and depart for
Tehran the next morning. He will meet with PM Erdogan and
President Sezer, and Erdogan will host a dinner for him.

PRIMARILY A SECURITY FOCUS
--------------


3. (C) Celilkkol said the GOT's primary focus is on
security-related issues, not least because the Turkish press
coverage will focus almost entirely on the PKK. Celikkol
indicated the draft security agreement on which Turkey and
Iraq have previously exchanged language (ref C) will not be
ready for signature. However, the GOT hopes to announce the
countries' joint intent to sign the agreement in the near
future. The Turks also are considering the idea of broaching
a bilateral agreement that would allow for Turkish operations
against the PKK inside Iraq (ref A).


4. (C) The GOT will press Maliki for a public statement
affirming that the PKK is a terrorist group. They will also
ask Maliki to use whatever influence he can on KRG
authorities to take necessary steps to rein in PKK operations
in northern Iraq.


5. (C) Celikkol emphasized that Turkey remains committed to
supporting efforts to bolster Iraq's central government as
well as Maliki's administration. However, he noted that
Maliki was using his visit to Ankara, at least in part, as a
balance to his Tehran trip, raising doubts about Maliki's
commitment to establishing strong ties with the Turks or
addressing Turkish concerns. Celikkol also expressed GOT
concern about Tawafuq's withdrawal from Maliki's governing
coalition and the serious repercussions the move has for
continued Sunni engagement in the political process.


6. (C) Celikkol said GOT officials would suggest the two
governments sign an agreement to bolster trade, a pre-cursor
to an eventual free trade pact. He also mentioned the need
to discuss continued payment problems some Turkish firms are
experiencing with Iraqi entities. Finally, Celikkol noted
the GOT's intent to sign a bilateral MOU on energy and
natural gas cooperation and investment.

EXPANDED NEIGHBORS
--------------


7. (C) Celikkol asked about scheduling an Expanded Neighbors'
ministerial in early September, and underscored Turkey's
understanding that it will be held in Istanbul. He said
failure to follow through on the Sharm commitment to hold the
next meeting in Istanbul would be extremely problematic for
the GOT. He noted that the Iraqis and the Egyptians had

ANKARA 00001998 002 OF 002


insisted on inserting specific language on Istanbul into the
communique, not the GOT. To renege on that commitment, he
said, would create a major controversy in Turkey and further
complicate Turkish-Iraqi relations.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

MCELDOWNEY