Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3578
2007-10-29 02:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
NINEWA: TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER CRISIS HAS LITTLE
how-toVZCZCXRO1460 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3578 3020252 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 290252Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4090 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003578
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM ECON IZ
SUBJECT: NINEWA: TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER CRISIS HAS LITTLE
IMPACT SO FAR IN THIS NORTHERN PROVINCE
SECSTATE FOR USAID
Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland: 1.4 (B) and (D).
This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message.
Business as Usual So Far in Ninewa
----------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003578
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM ECON IZ
SUBJECT: NINEWA: TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER CRISIS HAS LITTLE
IMPACT SO FAR IN THIS NORTHERN PROVINCE
SECSTATE FOR USAID
Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland: 1.4 (B) and (D).
This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message.
Business as Usual So Far in Ninewa
--------------
1. (C) Our political interlocutors in Ninewa told PRT that
the current crisis along the Turkish-Iraqi border has had
little impact so far on this northern province. Leaders of
the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP),the Kurdistan Democratic Party
(KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) told the PRT
leader that the everyday effect has been very low --
economically, politically and in terms of internally
displaced persons.
Arabs Not Unpleased by Pressure on Kurds
--------------
2. (C) Dr. Mohammed Shakir, provincial leader of the IIP,
also told PRT leader October 23 that he saw little effect to
date on the province from the crisis. However, he added that
many Arabs were quietly pleased to see problems arising
between the Kurds and Turkey because that meant the Kurds
would have to move more of their people into the north to
deal with it, and away from Arab areas. He also said that
such movement would diffuse some tensions over Article 140.
At the same time, and reflecting the complex role played by
Kurdish security here, he worried that the movement of some
Peshmerga to the north could cause the security situation in
Mosul to worsen.
Provincial Government Not Concerned
--------------
3. (C) Governor Duraid Kashmoula told PRT leader October 23
that Turkish actions have had no effect in Ninewa, which is
close to the Turkish border, but separated by the Kurdish
Regional Government's Dahuk Province. In the same
conversation, he mentioned that the Turkish Consul General
had recently visited him and discussed ways that Turkey could
cooperate with the province on many fronts. On October 25,
the acting head of the Provincial Council Mohammed Bashir
told Poloff that he agreed with the Governor's assessment of
the situation. In an October 24 meeting, Vice Governor and
head of the KDP Khasro Goran told the PRT leader that the
flow of supplies and trucks across the Turkey-Iraq border at
Habur Gate had not slowed down at all. He said, however,
that a real impact would be felt if Turkey started a major
cross border campaign. For their part, the provincial
authorities -- who represent the Kurdish parties, seem to be
going out of their way to demonstrate goodwill toward the
Turkish Consulate General in Mosul.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Ninewa opinion leaders are taking the border crisis in
stride, and reporting conditions as normal. We will continue
to follow up on the issue with our provincial interlocutors,
particularly as many key commercial and construction items
sold in Ninewa enter Iraq through Habur Gate. Circumstances
could change significantly if the Turks launch a major attack
on the PKK across the border.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM ECON IZ
SUBJECT: NINEWA: TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER CRISIS HAS LITTLE
IMPACT SO FAR IN THIS NORTHERN PROVINCE
SECSTATE FOR USAID
Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland: 1.4 (B) and (D).
This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message.
Business as Usual So Far in Ninewa
--------------
1. (C) Our political interlocutors in Ninewa told PRT that
the current crisis along the Turkish-Iraqi border has had
little impact so far on this northern province. Leaders of
the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP),the Kurdistan Democratic Party
(KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) told the PRT
leader that the everyday effect has been very low --
economically, politically and in terms of internally
displaced persons.
Arabs Not Unpleased by Pressure on Kurds
--------------
2. (C) Dr. Mohammed Shakir, provincial leader of the IIP,
also told PRT leader October 23 that he saw little effect to
date on the province from the crisis. However, he added that
many Arabs were quietly pleased to see problems arising
between the Kurds and Turkey because that meant the Kurds
would have to move more of their people into the north to
deal with it, and away from Arab areas. He also said that
such movement would diffuse some tensions over Article 140.
At the same time, and reflecting the complex role played by
Kurdish security here, he worried that the movement of some
Peshmerga to the north could cause the security situation in
Mosul to worsen.
Provincial Government Not Concerned
--------------
3. (C) Governor Duraid Kashmoula told PRT leader October 23
that Turkish actions have had no effect in Ninewa, which is
close to the Turkish border, but separated by the Kurdish
Regional Government's Dahuk Province. In the same
conversation, he mentioned that the Turkish Consul General
had recently visited him and discussed ways that Turkey could
cooperate with the province on many fronts. On October 25,
the acting head of the Provincial Council Mohammed Bashir
told Poloff that he agreed with the Governor's assessment of
the situation. In an October 24 meeting, Vice Governor and
head of the KDP Khasro Goran told the PRT leader that the
flow of supplies and trucks across the Turkey-Iraq border at
Habur Gate had not slowed down at all. He said, however,
that a real impact would be felt if Turkey started a major
cross border campaign. For their part, the provincial
authorities -- who represent the Kurdish parties, seem to be
going out of their way to demonstrate goodwill toward the
Turkish Consulate General in Mosul.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Ninewa opinion leaders are taking the border crisis in
stride, and reporting conditions as normal. We will continue
to follow up on the issue with our provincial interlocutors,
particularly as many key commercial and construction items
sold in Ninewa enter Iraq through Habur Gate. Circumstances
could change significantly if the Turks launch a major attack
on the PKK across the border.
BUTENIS