Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2077
2007-08-14 10:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY PRESSING FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FOLLOW-UP TO
how-toVZCZCXRO9573 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAK #2077 2261052 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141052Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3382 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA// PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY RUEPGAB/MNF-I C2X BAGHDAD IZ PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002077
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY PRESSING FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FOLLOW-UP TO
MALIKI VISIT
REF: ANKARA 2028
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002077
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY PRESSING FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FOLLOW-UP TO
MALIKI VISIT
REF: ANKARA 2028
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) The GOT is committed to a quick and constructive
effort to build on the progress achieved during the August 7
visit to Ankara by Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki (ref). The
Turks' top priority now is to ensure that the promised
follow-up visit by the Iraqi National Security Advisor and
Interior Minister takes place within the agreed two week time
frame. The GOT has asked that the U.S. support this effort
by encouraging the Iraqis to make the promised trip and to
come prepared to make concrete progress.
2. (C) MFA Deputy Under Secretary (and Special Envoy for
Countering the PKK) Rafet Akgunay and GOT Iraq Coordinator
Oguz Celikkol have both contacted Charge to underscore the
GOT's interest in maintaining the momentum of the Maliki
visit. They believe the MOU was a positive step forward and
want to do everything possible to continue advancing
bilateral relations. The next specific step is the follow-on
visit by GOI Interior Minister Bulani and National Security
Advisor Rubaie, intended to allow for more detailed
discussion of security topics in general as well as specific
steps to counter PKK terrorists in Iraq. The Turks would
like us to reinforce to the Iraqis the importance of
undertaking this visit within the agreed time frame.
3. (C) While awaiting an Iraqi decision on the date for the
follow-on meeting, the GOT has scrupulously (and
uncharacteristically) avoided jumping into the media debate
here. The Turkish press has had a field day covering the
initial negative statements about the MOU from Iraqi Kurdish
representatives, including KRG security minister Cafer
Mustafa, Kurdistan Alliance rep. and Iraqi MP Mahmoud Osman,
and Massoud Barzani's representative to the Article 140
Commission Kadir Aziz. Despite press conclusions that the
MOU is a "joke" and a "sham" in light of these statements,
the GOT has insisted to us that it is confident the GOI will
fulfill its commitments. Iraqi FM Zebari's comments
(appearing in the Turkish press on August 14) that the Iraqi
Kurd remarks criticizing the MOU are "non-binding" and PM
Maliki's reiteration of his commitment to prevent Iraq from
being a base for PKK terrorist attacks against Turkey should
help considerably.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY PRESSING FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FOLLOW-UP TO
MALIKI VISIT
REF: ANKARA 2028
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) The GOT is committed to a quick and constructive
effort to build on the progress achieved during the August 7
visit to Ankara by Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki (ref). The
Turks' top priority now is to ensure that the promised
follow-up visit by the Iraqi National Security Advisor and
Interior Minister takes place within the agreed two week time
frame. The GOT has asked that the U.S. support this effort
by encouraging the Iraqis to make the promised trip and to
come prepared to make concrete progress.
2. (C) MFA Deputy Under Secretary (and Special Envoy for
Countering the PKK) Rafet Akgunay and GOT Iraq Coordinator
Oguz Celikkol have both contacted Charge to underscore the
GOT's interest in maintaining the momentum of the Maliki
visit. They believe the MOU was a positive step forward and
want to do everything possible to continue advancing
bilateral relations. The next specific step is the follow-on
visit by GOI Interior Minister Bulani and National Security
Advisor Rubaie, intended to allow for more detailed
discussion of security topics in general as well as specific
steps to counter PKK terrorists in Iraq. The Turks would
like us to reinforce to the Iraqis the importance of
undertaking this visit within the agreed time frame.
3. (C) While awaiting an Iraqi decision on the date for the
follow-on meeting, the GOT has scrupulously (and
uncharacteristically) avoided jumping into the media debate
here. The Turkish press has had a field day covering the
initial negative statements about the MOU from Iraqi Kurdish
representatives, including KRG security minister Cafer
Mustafa, Kurdistan Alliance rep. and Iraqi MP Mahmoud Osman,
and Massoud Barzani's representative to the Article 140
Commission Kadir Aziz. Despite press conclusions that the
MOU is a "joke" and a "sham" in light of these statements,
the GOT has insisted to us that it is confident the GOI will
fulfill its commitments. Iraqi FM Zebari's comments
(appearing in the Turkish press on August 14) that the Iraqi
Kurd remarks criticizing the MOU are "non-binding" and PM
Maliki's reiteration of his commitment to prevent Iraq from
being a base for PKK terrorist attacks against Turkey should
help considerably.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY