Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2747
2007-11-09 12:35:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY WILL CONSIDER REQUEST TO INSPECT FLIGHTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #2747 3131235 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 091235Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4329 INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI IMMEDIATE 0347 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN IMMEDIATE 0934 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 1681 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 5584 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH IMMEDIATE 0642 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL IMMEDIATE 3525
S E C R E T ANKARA 002747
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN/CATR FOR MITCHELL AND GANEM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2031
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS TU IR SY
SUBJECT: TURKEY WILL CONSIDER REQUEST TO INSPECT FLIGHTS
BETWEEN IRAN AND SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 154478
B. ANKARA 2340
C. ANKARA 2695
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, Reasons 1.4 (B),(C),and (D)
S E C R E T ANKARA 002747
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN/CATR FOR MITCHELL AND GANEM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2031
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS TU IR SY
SUBJECT: TURKEY WILL CONSIDER REQUEST TO INSPECT FLIGHTS
BETWEEN IRAN AND SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 154478
B. ANKARA 2340
C. ANKARA 2695
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, Reasons 1.4 (B),(C),and (D)
1. (S) We shared ref a. points concerning potential shipment
of sensitive equipment to Syria from Iran with MFA Department
Head for Aviation Affairs Hamit Olcay on the morning of
November 9. Olcay said a request for these flights has not
been submitted, and GOT regulations require a 10-day advance
notice for overflight requests. He offered to inform us if
the MFA does receive such a request.
2. (S) While promising to share ref a information with
colleagues in relevant departments, Olcay complained that,
acting on U.S. intelligence, Turkey had previously inspected
flights between Iran and Syria that did not contain any
prohibited items. We pointed to the likelihood that Iranian
entities trying to ship sensitive material to Syria will
intersperse shipments containing legitimate goods with those
carrying illicit items in order to make intercept more
difficult. Olcay assured us that Turkey will continue to
inspect any flight between Iran and Syria that appears
suspicious, and will consider seriously all USG requests to
inspect flights about which there is reliable intelligence.
Additional details about the nature of the cargo would help
ensure a positive response.
3. (S) Comment: Turkish skepticism about the accuracy of US
information has been heightened recently by our difficulty in
providing timely and accurate assurances in the case of the
cargo of the MV Slavyanin (ref c) as well as Turkish
officials' belief that our support of a French demarche on
the cargo of the MV Neptune in October was based on faulty
intelligence. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ISN/CATR FOR MITCHELL AND GANEM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2031
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS TU IR SY
SUBJECT: TURKEY WILL CONSIDER REQUEST TO INSPECT FLIGHTS
BETWEEN IRAN AND SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 154478
B. ANKARA 2340
C. ANKARA 2695
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, Reasons 1.4 (B),(C),and (D)
1. (S) We shared ref a. points concerning potential shipment
of sensitive equipment to Syria from Iran with MFA Department
Head for Aviation Affairs Hamit Olcay on the morning of
November 9. Olcay said a request for these flights has not
been submitted, and GOT regulations require a 10-day advance
notice for overflight requests. He offered to inform us if
the MFA does receive such a request.
2. (S) While promising to share ref a information with
colleagues in relevant departments, Olcay complained that,
acting on U.S. intelligence, Turkey had previously inspected
flights between Iran and Syria that did not contain any
prohibited items. We pointed to the likelihood that Iranian
entities trying to ship sensitive material to Syria will
intersperse shipments containing legitimate goods with those
carrying illicit items in order to make intercept more
difficult. Olcay assured us that Turkey will continue to
inspect any flight between Iran and Syria that appears
suspicious, and will consider seriously all USG requests to
inspect flights about which there is reliable intelligence.
Additional details about the nature of the cargo would help
ensure a positive response.
3. (S) Comment: Turkish skepticism about the accuracy of US
information has been heightened recently by our difficulty in
providing timely and accurate assurances in the case of the
cargo of the MV Slavyanin (ref c) as well as Turkish
officials' belief that our support of a French demarche on
the cargo of the MV Neptune in October was based on faulty
intelligence. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON