Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1876
2007-06-06 08:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGB #1876 1570856 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 060856Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0400 INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1565
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001876
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: JUNE 1 SULIMANIYAH INCIDENT
REF: ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001876
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: JUNE 1 SULIMANIYAH INCIDENT
REF: ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Post appreciates Ankara's reftel assessment and
suggestions regarding the June 1 encounter between Turkish
Special Forces and Peshmerga in Sulimaniyah. We recognize
Turkish sensitivity to even what would appear to be a very
minor incident.
2. (C) KRG officials and Kurdish media indicated that on June
1, during routine search operations in a Sulimaniyah
commercial district, Peshmerga units stopped a car containing
a group of Turkish Special Forces dressed in civilian
clothing. All sources agree the Turks were armed (there is
disagreement about the type of weapon) and also carrying
global positioning equipment in the vehicle. A short
stand-off ensued, which may have involved raised weapons and
sharp words. The standoff ended when the Turks identified
themselves and the Peshmerga allowed them to proceed without
further incident.
3. (C) The EPRT has contacted the Governor's Office in
Sulimaniyah as well as local senior security officials to
underscore Turkish sensitivity to the incident. KRG security
officials told EPRT that the Peshermera have begun conducting
routine searches of vehicles over the past month in response
to recent terrorist bombings in Erbil and Makhmour. They
plan to continue the searches as a way to deter further
terrorist incidents but stated they are in no way
specifically targeting Turkish forces for the searches.
According to Kurdish Security Officials, the Peshmerga
apologized once the Turks' identity was clear. MNF-I has
also been in contact with PUK security leaders.
4. (C) The Ambassador will remind Iraqi President Talabani of
Turkish sensitivity to such incidents when Talabani returns
to Baghdad, and will discuss with Barzani on his next trip to
Erbil. We have given the same message to FM (and senior KDP
member) Zebari.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: JUNE 1 SULIMANIYAH INCIDENT
REF: ANKARA 1352
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Post appreciates Ankara's reftel assessment and
suggestions regarding the June 1 encounter between Turkish
Special Forces and Peshmerga in Sulimaniyah. We recognize
Turkish sensitivity to even what would appear to be a very
minor incident.
2. (C) KRG officials and Kurdish media indicated that on June
1, during routine search operations in a Sulimaniyah
commercial district, Peshmerga units stopped a car containing
a group of Turkish Special Forces dressed in civilian
clothing. All sources agree the Turks were armed (there is
disagreement about the type of weapon) and also carrying
global positioning equipment in the vehicle. A short
stand-off ensued, which may have involved raised weapons and
sharp words. The standoff ended when the Turks identified
themselves and the Peshmerga allowed them to proceed without
further incident.
3. (C) The EPRT has contacted the Governor's Office in
Sulimaniyah as well as local senior security officials to
underscore Turkish sensitivity to the incident. KRG security
officials told EPRT that the Peshermera have begun conducting
routine searches of vehicles over the past month in response
to recent terrorist bombings in Erbil and Makhmour. They
plan to continue the searches as a way to deter further
terrorist incidents but stated they are in no way
specifically targeting Turkish forces for the searches.
According to Kurdish Security Officials, the Peshmerga
apologized once the Turks' identity was clear. MNF-I has
also been in contact with PUK security leaders.
4. (C) The Ambassador will remind Iraqi President Talabani of
Turkish sensitivity to such incidents when Talabani returns
to Baghdad, and will discuss with Barzani on his next trip to
Erbil. We have given the same message to FM (and senior KDP
member) Zebari.
CROCKER