Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1585
2008-09-03 14:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY SUPPORTS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY INCREASE
how-toVZCZCXRO4334 OO RUEHPW DE RUEHAK #1585 2471400 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031400Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7340 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001585
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A NISHA SINGH, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PREL AF TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY SUPPORTS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY INCREASE
REF: SECSTATE 93225
Classified By: Political Military Counselor Anthony Godfrey, reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001585
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A NISHA SINGH, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PREL AF TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY SUPPORTS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY INCREASE
REF: SECSTATE 93225
Classified By: Political Military Counselor Anthony Godfrey, reasons 1.
4 (b,d)
TURKEY SUPPORTS ANA INCREASE
--------------
1. (C) We delivered reftel points to MFA DDG for South Asia
and Iran Babur Hizlan September 3, requesting Turkish support
for expanding the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 at
the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board meeting in Kabul,
September 10, and reminding him of the importance the U.S.
attaches to Turkey easing the caveats it places on the
operation of Turkish troops in Afghanistan. Hizlan reiterated
Turkey's support for the proposed ANA expansion; the Turkish
Embassy in Kabul has been directed to support the measure.
Hizlan could make no commitments concerning Turkish funding
for a proposed multi-donor trust fund to support ANA
sustainment, but underscored Turkey's support for "train and
equip programs," similar to those Turkey implemented
successfully in Bosnia. The Turkish General Staff is
particularly enthusiastic, Hizlan said, about expanding
existing programs to train Afghan units in Turkey, but he
could not say how extensive Turkish training would be.
Turkey, according to Hizlan, wants to change the negative
perception of the war in Afghanistan as being fought by
foreign troops. It supports strengthening ANA to fight its
own war, and "train and equip programs" are the best
instrument, he said.
2. (C) The GOT is not optimistic about trends in Afghanistan,
said Hizlan. Operating a PRT in Wardak, it sees Taliban
influence increasing there. He noted Taliban control in many
nearby districts, outside of Kabul, and a growing Taliban
operation capacity within Kabul. Turkey is also concerned
about growing Taliban influence in Pashtun enclaves in Turkic
provinces of northern Afghanistan.
DOSTUM PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED
--------------
3. (C) MFA Deputy U/S for Middle East and South Asia
Sinirlioglu will travel to Kabul September 13 and will raise
concerns that Rashid Dostum has not yet been permitted by
Kabul to return north despite the completion of a democratic
Junbesh party election in which Dostum did not stand, as
Turkey promised. Sensing political machinations by President
Karzai, the GOT is frustrated that this situation has
persisted even as former Attorney General Sabit is no longer
in government pressing the case against Dostum.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A NISHA SINGH, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: PREL AF TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY SUPPORTS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY INCREASE
REF: SECSTATE 93225
Classified By: Political Military Counselor Anthony Godfrey, reasons 1.
4 (b,d)
TURKEY SUPPORTS ANA INCREASE
--------------
1. (C) We delivered reftel points to MFA DDG for South Asia
and Iran Babur Hizlan September 3, requesting Turkish support
for expanding the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 at
the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board meeting in Kabul,
September 10, and reminding him of the importance the U.S.
attaches to Turkey easing the caveats it places on the
operation of Turkish troops in Afghanistan. Hizlan reiterated
Turkey's support for the proposed ANA expansion; the Turkish
Embassy in Kabul has been directed to support the measure.
Hizlan could make no commitments concerning Turkish funding
for a proposed multi-donor trust fund to support ANA
sustainment, but underscored Turkey's support for "train and
equip programs," similar to those Turkey implemented
successfully in Bosnia. The Turkish General Staff is
particularly enthusiastic, Hizlan said, about expanding
existing programs to train Afghan units in Turkey, but he
could not say how extensive Turkish training would be.
Turkey, according to Hizlan, wants to change the negative
perception of the war in Afghanistan as being fought by
foreign troops. It supports strengthening ANA to fight its
own war, and "train and equip programs" are the best
instrument, he said.
2. (C) The GOT is not optimistic about trends in Afghanistan,
said Hizlan. Operating a PRT in Wardak, it sees Taliban
influence increasing there. He noted Taliban control in many
nearby districts, outside of Kabul, and a growing Taliban
operation capacity within Kabul. Turkey is also concerned
about growing Taliban influence in Pashtun enclaves in Turkic
provinces of northern Afghanistan.
DOSTUM PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED
--------------
3. (C) MFA Deputy U/S for Middle East and South Asia
Sinirlioglu will travel to Kabul September 13 and will raise
concerns that Rashid Dostum has not yet been permitted by
Kabul to return north despite the completion of a democratic
Junbesh party election in which Dostum did not stand, as
Turkey promised. Sensing political machinations by President
Karzai, the GOT is frustrated that this situation has
persisted even as former Attorney General Sabit is no longer
in government pressing the case against Dostum.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON