TURKEY/IRAQ: MALIKI VISIT FOCUSED ON SUNNI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002028 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/SE AND NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER IZ TU SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAQ: MALIKI VISIT FOCUSED ON SUNNI ENGAGEMENT; FEATURES PUBLIC STATEMENT ON PKK TERRORISM REF: ANKARA 1998 Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi PM Maliki's August 7 visit to Ankara achieved the Turks' principal objective of sending a positive signal about the overall bilateral relationship. Coming at a moment of intense domestic crisis in Iraq, the Turks explicitly intended the visit to show support for Maliki and his efforts to hold the country together. The Turks pushed Maliki hard on the need to ensure Sunni participation in the political process and warned that Sunni disenfranchisement would only lead to further instability and violence. On bilateral issues, the Turks' overly ambitious agenda had included four separate draft agreements, covering counter-terrorism, border security, economics, and energy. While only the energy agreement was signed, the two governments hammered out a catch all MOU that addressed the remaining issues, and the Iraqis promised to send a delegation within two weeks to continue work on the counter-terrorism and security draft texts. Maliki's public statement, reiterated in the MOU, on working together with Turkey to combat PKK terrorism is a major step forward which the Turks hope to build upon via joint concrete steps. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) MFA Under Secretary Apakan told Charge on August 8 that Turkey achieved its principle objective for the visit: to convey a positive signal about the bilateral partnership. GOT officials recognize that Maliki is seriously weakened by the Sunni walkout and they want to support his efforts to hold the country together. They expressed their deep concern about Sunni disenfranchisement and urged Maliki to do everything possible to bring Sunni representation back into the political process. Without that, there is no chance for improved stability in Iraq. ¶3. (C) PM Erdogan and Maliki discussed other bilateral issues, leading to the announcement of a new Turkish consulate opening in Basra, supplementing Turkey's recently inaugurated Mosul Consulate, and an Iraqi consulate opening in Gaziantep. Though the GOT had previously floated four separate draft agreements (counter-terrorism, economic cooperation, border security, energy),only the energy MOU was signed. Unable to reach agreement on the other texts, 
the two delegations cobbled together a general MOU that touched on the remaining issues and committed to follow up via a subsequent visit to Ankara by the Iraqi Interior Minister and National Security Advisor within a few weeks. (Text of general MOU at para 7 below. Energy MOU text e-mailed to Department and Embassy Baghdad.) Expanded Neighbors Ministerial...Istanbul This Fall -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) PM Maliki encouraged Turkey to continue its support for the Iraq Neighbors process and asked the GOT to host the next Expanded Neighbors ministerial this Fall in Istanbul. Maliki proposed that the Istanbul ministerial take place in October and suggested a senior officials meeting at UNGA would be a logical step to maintain the Neighbors process momentum. Coordination on PKK Fight -------------- ¶5. (C) Apakan told us Maliki appeared ready to accept Turkey's proposed Qguage on PKK terrorism, but FM Zebari was much more hesitant. Iraq's Ambassador in Ankara, Sabah Omran, confirmed the GOT had wanted stronger language on the PKK but claimed the Iraqis had gone as far as they could. He also complained that Turkey had only communicated with Iraq's Ministry of Interior on the bilateral security agreement, leaving Iraq's foreign ministry in the dark on the details. This, and Interior Minister Bulani's absence, hobbled Iraqi ANKARA 00002028 002 OF 003 flexibility. ¶6. (C) Maliki's public remarks were forward leaning on Iraq's intent to increase counter-terrorism cooperation, in line with Iraqi spokesman Dabbagh's August 6 public comments. Maliki noted that, "The PKK and similar organizations are not allowed to maintain a presence on Iraqi soil and we will not permit them to do so in the future. We are in favor of launching cooperation in that field without any delay." Maliki committed to send Minister Bulani, Security Advisor Rubaie and others for talks with Turkish counterparts within the next two weeks. ¶7. (SBU) Begin text of Bilateral MOU: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY (07 August 2007) Turkey and Iraq, expressed their commitment to good neighbourly relations based on mutual respect, solidarity, friendship and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. In this vein, Turkey wishes to see security established in Iraq and condemns all terrorist activities in this country. This visit allowed the reconfirmation of Turkey's support to the Iraqi process of reconciliation and democratization. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that they view the relations between Turkey and Iraq, covering economy, energy and security as well as social and cultural aspects as a whole and underscored their commitment to make full use of this multi-dimensional relationship for the benefit of their peoples and the region. In this respect, they look upon this relationship from a wider and long term perspective. As two countries whose economies complement and reinforce one another, Turkey and Iraq are determined to mobilize all existing bilateral cooperation opportunities. The two Prime Ministers and their respective delegations held very fruitful and positive consultations. Bilateral relations and opportunities for cooperation were discussed and a full and frank exchange of views took place concerning the political process in Iraq including security. This memorandum of understanding provides a framework for cooperation between Turkey and Iraq in preventing and suppressing terrorism and organized crime. Both countries acknowledge the existing cooperation between Turkey and Iraq on security and law enforcement matters, and desire to strengthen and expand that cooperation to combating terrorism; The two Prime Ministers, expressed their joint will to fight against terrorist organisations and activities including PKK/KONGRA-GEL and reiterated their common understanding to activate every effort to isolate, pacify and eradicate the presence of all terrorist organisations in Iraq. Both countries recognize that, regarding the legal and judicial matters, the Ankara Agreement signed on 5 June 1926, Friendship and Good Neighbourly Relations Agreement between Turkey and Iraq, signed on 29 March 1946 and the Agreement Between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Iraq on Legal and Judicial Matters signed on 19 September 1989 are in force between the two states, They also emphasize their obligation to implement in full UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 (2001),1546 and 1566 (2004) and 1624 (2005),as well as their common desire to cooperate effectively in combating the terrorist activities perpetrated by the terrorist groups, In this respect, the two Prime Ministers instructed their relevant authorities to expedite and finalize the work on "The Agreement on Combating Terrorism" and "The Memorandum of Understanding between Interior Ministries on Cooperation to Combat Terrorism and Organised Crime" within two months time. To this end, the Iraqi Minister of Interior will visit Turkey in two weeks to prepare the said agreements. ANKARA 00002028 003 OF 003 The two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the signing of "The Memorandum of Understanding between the Energy Ministries" and instructed their respective competent authorities to finalize as soon as possible the "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" within the framework of the Joint Iraqi-Turkish Economic Committee. Turkey has reactivated its Consulate-General in Mosul in line with its comprehensive approach towards Iraq. Now, the Iraqi Prime Minister welcomed Turkey's decision to open a second Consulate-General in Basra. The two Prime Ministers agreed that Iraqi side would provide every support to Turkey to complete the preparations of the opening of the new consular mission. Iraqi side declared its interest to open a second Consulate-General in Turkey, probably in Gaziantep. At their initial meeting of the enlarged ministerial meeting of neighbours of Iraq in Sharm al Sheikh, the Foreign Ministers had agreed to hold their second meeting in Istanbul. In this context, the two Prime Ministers underlined the importance they attach to this process and worked on the preparations of the second meeting. The Enlarged Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Neighbours of Iraq is planned to be held in the coming months. With a view to furthering the bilateral relations and materializing the strategic perspective they agreed upon, the two Prime Ministers decided to strengthen their political dialogue and cooperation and intensify the contacts, including establishment of new mechanisms through proper official channels and to better utilize the existing structures such as the Joint Economic Committee. END TEXT Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY