TURKEY: POL-MIL ROUND-UP: January 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000166 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS MARR PREL CH KZ GR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: POL-MIL ROUND-UP: January 2008 (Note: This is one of a regular series of unclassified reports on significant Turkish defense and national security issues in the press and other open sources. End note.) Contents -------------- -- Turkey Carries out Cross-Border Operations in N. Iraq -- December 5 Anti-Terrorism High Council Readout -- December 5 Defense Industry Executive Board Readout -- Turkish Troops Hands over ISAF Command -- National Security Council Convenes -- Donations to TAF Foundation Up 73% -- Turkey's Security Relations with Other Countries -- Defense Industry Activity Turkey Carries out Cross-Border Operation in N. Iraq -------------- -------------- ¶1. Turkey launched air strikes against PKK terrorist positions in northern Iraq on December 16, 17, 22 and 26. Several of the air strikes were supported by artillery fire. During the same period, counterterrorism operations within Southeast Turkey and against PKK terrorists in several cities continued. Both civilian and military officials made public announcements after each operation about the scope and results of the operations. The apparent harmony between civilian and military authorities as reflected in these public announcements has not been seen since before the April 27, 2007 "e-memorandum" issued by the Turkish General Staff warning against a Gul presidency. Anti-Terrorism High Council Convenes -------------- ¶2. Anti-Terrorism High Council convened under Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek on December 5. Interior Minister Besir Atalay, Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, Deputy CHOD GEN Ergin Saygun, Jandarma Commander GEN Isik Kosaner attended the meeting. In its statement, the Council discussed recent counter-terrorism activities of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and additional measures to follow. The Council also discussed the difficulties Turkey has experienced in extraditing terrorist suspects from foreign countries. Defense Industry Executive Board Convenes -------------- ¶3. Turkish Defense Industry Executive Board convened under PM Erdogan on December 5 to discuss the needs of Turkish Armed Force. The Board decided to: - disqualify the Israeli IAI for the Gokturk Satellite project and to continue talks with Britain's Eads Astrium, Germany's OHB System and Italy's Telespazio; - manufacture Turkey's own 5.56 mm assault rifle and machine gun to replace the German made G-3 rifles; - award Turkish Aselsan the 47 million Euro contract to set up surface and underwater security systems for the Aksaz Naval Base; - launch negotiations for the manufacture of multi-purpose helicopters in Turkey with Sikorsky and Augusta Westland; - award Turkish Aselsan the 80 million dollar contract for radar surveillance systems; - launch contract negotiations with Norway's Konsberg Company for the supply of Penguin guided missiles to be deployed on Seahawk helicopters; and - launch negotiations with Turkish Yonca Onuk Company for a 25-ton coast guard boat. Turkish Troops Hand over ISAF Command -------------- ANKARA 00000166 002 OF 002 ¶4. Turkey concluded its eight-month command of International Security and Assistance Force in Afghanistan's (ISAF) Kabul Regional Command, turning the command over to Italy on December 12. A welcoming ceremony was held for the 400 troops at the 4th Army Corps Command in Ankara. The Kabul Regional Command was created in summer 2006 under the joint leadership of Turkey, France and Italy. National Security Council Convenes -------------- ¶5. Turkey's National Security Council (NSC) convened its last meeting of 2007 under President Abdullah Gul on December 28. The NSC assessed the results of cross-border operations carried out against the PKK in northern Iraq, and reiterated Turkey's determination to continue operations. The Council reviewed diplomatic, economic, social and other dimensions of the fight against terrorism. The NSC also discussed recent developments in Iraq and other external developments affecting Turkey's security. Donations to TAF Foundation Up 73% -------------- ¶6. Donations to the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF) were up 73% during the Ramadan Holiday in December 2007. Although many other institutions received donations during the Ramadan Holiday based on this Muslim tradition, TAFF is the only institution that experienced such a dramatic increase this year. Surprised by the considerable increase in donations, Turkish General Staff (TGS) increased monthly pension for veterans and families of soldiers killed by the PKK. Recent terror attacks and cross-border operations seems to have contributed to the outpouring of support for the Turkish military in general and the families of soldiers killed by the PKK in particular. Turkey's Security Relations with Other Countries -------------- --- ¶7. China: Chinese Deputy Chief of General Staff GEN Zhang Li visited Turkish Land Forces Commander GEN Ilker Basbug and Turkish CHOD GEN Yasar Buyukanit on December 10-11, respectively. No information on the purpose of the visit was made public. ¶8. Kazakhstan: Kazakh Defense Minister Danial Akhmetov received his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul in Astara on December 14. The ministers discussed prospects for cooperation. ¶9. Greece: TGS reported 24 air interceptions by Greek jets in international airspace over the Aegean Sea and one violation of airspace in December. 34 incidents of violation of Turkish territorial waters in the Aegean were reported in December. Turkey sent a diplomatic note to Athens on December 26 after considerable increase in what the TGS considers violations of territorial water by Greek fishing boats and Coast Guard vessels. Defense Industry Activity -------------- ¶10. TAF is planning to announce a tender for the purchase of heavy-lift helicopters for the army. Boeing's CH-47 Chinook helicopters are reportedly TAF's first preference because of low maintenance costs and suitability for Turkey's terrain, according to a defense industry expert. ¶11. Turkish Havelsan developed an 'Integrated Command and Control System' for Turkish Air Forces. The system, which is the most sophisticated integrated command and control system of the country, was delivered in a ceremony held at the Havelsan Headquarters on December 30. MCELDOWNEY