TURKEY/BERLIN CONFERENCE: EAGER TO HELP, BUT IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001110 SIPDIS NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2018 TAGS: PREL KWBG PBTS PHUM IS EUN SUBJECT: TURKEY/BERLIN CONFERENCE: EAGER TO HELP, BUT IN NEED OF DIRECTION REF: A. STATE 62133 ¶B. ANKARA 755 Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, Reasons 1.4 b, d ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 7. ¶2. (C) We delivered ref a demarche to MFA Security Affairs Department Head Metin Ersin on June 13. Ersin, who represented Turkey at a preparatory conference in Berlin, told us Foreign Minister Babacan is expected to lead the Turkish delegation, and the MFA is looking to earmark a portion of the $150 million it pledged for 2008-2010 at the Paris Conference to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) police. He said the GOT is looking to contribute in tangible ways ("not just put money in a bank account") toward areas where Turkey has a "comparative advantage," particularly training and infrastructure development (e.g. constructing training centers). ¶3. (C) Ersin said Turkey's Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan is being considered as a possible model for Turkey's support of the PA police. During GOT working level deliberations, Ersin said there was agreement for Turkey to offer the PA police with a continuum of support. One idea is for Turkey to help build a training center, staff and provide training for the PA police at the center, and equip the police once the training has been completed. He said this idea would allow a Turkish contingent to develop a relationship with the local police which would in turn facilitate the training and mentoring process, and ensure greater accountability. ¶4. (C) Ersin said the GOT is considering offering training courses in the West Bank to complement the training taking place in Turkey in which PA police officers have being participating (Note: Nearly 100 PA officers have completed the Turkish National Police's 4-year police academy since 1996, and over 130 PA police officials have participated in TNP training courses during the same period - see ref b). Turning to a matrix of projects the PA had identified as priorities, Ersin said Turkey could conduct training on counterterrorism, bomb detection, traffic policing, and protection of public facilities (Turkey is already providing these types of training to PA police in Turkey). Ersin also said Turkey could help construct and equip a forensic laboratory, and provide training on how to use the equipment. ¶5. (C) Despite indicating Turkey's clear eagerness to provide support for the PA police, Ersin expressed frustration over what he called a "lack of clarity" on how potential contributions are being coordinated and deconflicted for the Berlin Conference. He said it was unclear whether the contributions Turkey is contemplating would be welcome at the conference. He also conveyed concern over equipping the PA police given Israel's seemingly cool attitude towards the Berlin Conference. According to Ersin, ISRAEL did not participate in the preparatory conference in Germany and had objected to the equipping of PA police in the past, even in the case of non-lethal equipment. Ersin said it is imperative for ISRAEL to support the process as Turkey would not want to be put in a position where it could upset its "strategic" ally. ¶6. (C) In Ersin's view, it would be helpful if contributors can agree ahead of time which projects each country will support so that senior level officials can announce at the conference what each country plans to do. Without further clarity on how the contributions will be received and coordinated, Ersin expressed concern that the Berlin Conference may become a missed opportunity for high-level officials to present a clear vision of the international community's support for the PA police. Ersin hinted that, without further clarity on whether the conference would welcome the type of contribution Turkey is envisioning, Babacan' participation may become doubtful as the MFA would not want to put its minister in a situation where he may be embarrassed by the reaction of the PA, Israel, and the international community more broadly to Turkey's proposals. ¶7. (C) Comment and action request: Turkey is willing and able to offer a significant contribution at Berlin. While Turkey may contribute some funds to the accounts established by the PA police, its clear preference is to participate directly in infrastructure and training projects. The GOT is looking for a clearer understanding of whether and how it can offer these types of contributions. Post requests Department guidance on how to steer Turkey's enthusiasm in a way that would support our goals at the Berlin Conference. End Comment and action request. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON