Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1712
2008-09-25 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY SEEKING MORE INFO ON NTM-I BORDER SECURITY
how-toVZCZCXRO1623 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAK #1712 2691436 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251436Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7564 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// PRIORITY RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001712
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY SEEKING MORE INFO ON NTM-I BORDER SECURITY
LEAD NATION ROLE
REF: A. STATE 99701
B. STATE 96122
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001712
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY SEEKING MORE INFO ON NTM-I BORDER SECURITY
LEAD NATION ROLE
REF: A. STATE 99701
B. STATE 96122
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) We delivered ref a demarche to MFA Section Head for
NATO Military Affairs M. Turker Ari on September 25. We
noted that taking a lead role in the NTM-I border security
mission would provide an additional opportunity for Turkey to
engage with Iraq on and help support Iraq,s effort in
strengthening border security. Ari said Turkey is still
reviewing the proposal for Turkey to play a lead nation role
in border security training under NTM-I but needed additional
information to clarify the modalities and structure
envisioned for such a role. Specifically, Ari asked for
clarification on whether other Allies are planning to
contribute in this effort, the total number of forces
envisioned (in addition to the 20-30 Turkey would offer),the
role,s scope and duration, infrastructure and support
elements required and how that will be funded. He expressed
hope that more information will be provided at the September
26 Manpower Conference hosted by SHAPE, and said Turkey will
be in better position to take a decision once there is a
clearer picture of the lead nation role,s modalities and
requirements.
2. (C) Ari reiterated Turkey,s commitment to NTM-I and to
Iraq,s sovereignty, stability, and security. He said he
expects that Turkey, at a minimum, will maintain its
contribution of two officers in NTM-I, and said Turkey has
been providing ongoing training to Iraqi officers at its
Partnership for Peace Training Center in Turkey. According
to Ari, 121 Iraqi officers have already received training
from Turkey to date, and some of these officers participated
in border security courses. He noted that 10 Iraqi officers
have been invited to a December 1-5 border security course
that will be held at the PFP Training Center in Turkey. Ari
also mentioned Turkey,s willingness to consider sending
mobile training teams to Iraq if the security condition
remains stable. He emphasized that any support rendered by
Turkey will be provided to the Iraqi Central Government.
3. (C) As a follow-up to ref b demarche, which we delivered
on September 10, Ari said Turkey was flexible in terms of the
approach for extending the status protection of NATO forces
participating in NTM-I. He said NATO ASG for Operations
Martin Howard briefed GOT authorities during a September
21-23 visit that his preferred option is to extend the
validity of the existing exchange of letters with the
Government of Iraq. Ari said the GOT did not consider this
approach controversial.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO TU IZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY SEEKING MORE INFO ON NTM-I BORDER SECURITY
LEAD NATION ROLE
REF: A. STATE 99701
B. STATE 96122
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) We delivered ref a demarche to MFA Section Head for
NATO Military Affairs M. Turker Ari on September 25. We
noted that taking a lead role in the NTM-I border security
mission would provide an additional opportunity for Turkey to
engage with Iraq on and help support Iraq,s effort in
strengthening border security. Ari said Turkey is still
reviewing the proposal for Turkey to play a lead nation role
in border security training under NTM-I but needed additional
information to clarify the modalities and structure
envisioned for such a role. Specifically, Ari asked for
clarification on whether other Allies are planning to
contribute in this effort, the total number of forces
envisioned (in addition to the 20-30 Turkey would offer),the
role,s scope and duration, infrastructure and support
elements required and how that will be funded. He expressed
hope that more information will be provided at the September
26 Manpower Conference hosted by SHAPE, and said Turkey will
be in better position to take a decision once there is a
clearer picture of the lead nation role,s modalities and
requirements.
2. (C) Ari reiterated Turkey,s commitment to NTM-I and to
Iraq,s sovereignty, stability, and security. He said he
expects that Turkey, at a minimum, will maintain its
contribution of two officers in NTM-I, and said Turkey has
been providing ongoing training to Iraqi officers at its
Partnership for Peace Training Center in Turkey. According
to Ari, 121 Iraqi officers have already received training
from Turkey to date, and some of these officers participated
in border security courses. He noted that 10 Iraqi officers
have been invited to a December 1-5 border security course
that will be held at the PFP Training Center in Turkey. Ari
also mentioned Turkey,s willingness to consider sending
mobile training teams to Iraq if the security condition
remains stable. He emphasized that any support rendered by
Turkey will be provided to the Iraqi Central Government.
3. (C) As a follow-up to ref b demarche, which we delivered
on September 10, Ari said Turkey was flexible in terms of the
approach for extending the status protection of NATO forces
participating in NTM-I. He said NATO ASG for Operations
Martin Howard briefed GOT authorities during a September
21-23 visit that his preferred option is to extend the
validity of the existing exchange of letters with the
Government of Iraq. Ari said the GOT did not consider this
approach controversial.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON