TURKEY REMAINS CONCERNED ABOUT IRAQ-BOUND MILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002545

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2022
TAGS: PREL ETTC MARR KNNP IZ CY MO TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY REMAINS CONCERNED ABOUT IRAQ-BOUND MILITARY
CARGO

REF: A. STATE 108929


B. 10/13 GOODMAN-SIEBENTRITT E-MAIL

Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (U) Action Request at para 8.


2. (C) Summary: Foreign Ministry officials have requested
re-confirmation of the bonafides of a shipment of military
equipment aboard the MV Slavyanin, currently being
transloaded to Mongolian-flagged "Onyx" in Limassol, and
destined for Iraq. Absent confirmation of bonafides, GOT may
shadow or even seek permission to board the Onyx before its
arrival in Iraq. Turkish suspicions are based on Iraqi
government's reported inability to clarify the destination of
the shipment, which Turks also believe may carry anti-tank
missiles and machine guns in addition to BMP armored
vehicles. MFA believes weapons could fall into the hands of
the PKK. End Summary.


3. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for Aviation and Maritime
Affairs Basat Ozturk and DDG for Security Affairs Sakir
Torunlar convoked Pol-Mil Counselor October 13 to discuss
their concerns regarding the MV Slavyanin, with a cargo of
BMP armored vehicles and associated equipment reportedly
destined for Iraqi security forces, currently docked in
Limassol for repairs. The officials said Turkish
intelligence indicated the cargo was being transloaded to the
Mongolian-flagged "Onyx" for onward shipment to the port of
Um Qasr.


4. (C) Ozturk and Torunlar said the Iraqi government had been
unable to confirm the bonafides of the cargo or confirm its
ultimate destination. The GOT fears that the military cargo,
or parts of it, could fall into the hands of the terrorist
PKK organization, although the officials admitted they had no
direct intelligence in that regard. The Turkish ambassador
in Ulaabaatar had asked the Mongolian government about the
shipment and had received the reply that the USG had ordered
it to be transloaded onto the Onyx for shipment to Um Qasr.
The Mongolians claimed the shipment belonged to the "US State
Department."


5. (C) Ozturk and Torunlar stated that, based on the lack of
clarity on the part of the Mongolian and Iraqi governments,
and the circuitous route of the MV Slavyanin before putting
in to Limassol for repairs, the GOT remains suspicious of the
shipment's bonafides. They also stated their concern that
the cargo manifest suggests that, in addition to BMP armored
vehicles, the cargo includes AT-4 antitank missiles, machine
guns and ammunition -- all of which could be diverted to
terrorists. Ozturk said that the GOT is considering all
options for dealing with the ship, including shadowing it on
its way to the Suez Canal. He stated that the Turkish Navy
would consider boarding the vessel, but only with permission.


6. (C) The Turkish officials stated that either the USG or
the GOI could allay Turkish suspicions by officially
confirming the bonafides of the shipment and destination.
They recommended that the Onyx be required to remain in
Limassol until the GOT receives sufficient assurances.


7. (C) We referred to our discussions in August (ref a) and
deployed points provided ref b, stating our intention to work
closely with Turkey on the security of shipments in the
region, encouraging Turkey not to seek to board the vessel
without providing evidence of an illegal cargo or diversion,
and promising to address Turkish concerns about the shipment.


8. (C) Action Request: Post requests detailed information
that will respond to Turkish concerns about the legitimate
nature of this shipment and its destination.

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

WILSON