Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2307
2007-09-10 15:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002307
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2022
TAGS: PREL MOPS SY IS TU
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002307
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2022
TAGS: PREL MOPS SY IS TU
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d).
¶1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Babacan has expressed his
concern over reports that Israeli warplanes may have violated
Turkish airspace near the Turkey-Syria border on September 6.
A full investigation is underway. According to press
reports, jettisoned fuel tanks -- allegedly associated with
Israeli F-15 aircraft -- were found on Turkish territory in
the province of Hatay bordering Syria. Meanwhile, Syrian
Foreign Minister Mouallem visited Ankara on September 10, and
the press is speculating the visit is tied to the aircraft
incident. End summary.
¶2. (C) On September 8, the semi-official Anatolian News
Agency reported that the MFA had requested an explanation
from Israel after authorities found what appeared to be
jettisoned aircraft fuel tanks in the southeastern Turkish
province of Hatay, near the Turkey-Syria border. In a
September 10 joint press conference with visiting Syrian FM
Mouallem, Turkish FM Babacan called the airspace violation an
"unacceptable development" and said that a "multilateral
investigation" is underway. He confirmed that Turkey has
demanded an explanation from Israel. Foreign Ministry
officials whom we contacted refused to provide any details on
the circumstances surrounding the supposed airspace
violation. Israeli diplomats here are also refusing to
comment.
¶3. (U) According to reports circulating in the Turkish media,
Israeli jets violated Turkish airspace on September 6 while
testing Syrian air defenses. TV reporting showed what
appeared to be external aircraft fuel tanks found along the
Turkey-Syria border, with speculation that the fuel tanks are
associated with Israeli F-15 warplanes.
¶4. (C) We will provide a read-out of Mouallem's meetings via
septel.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON