Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA506
2008-03-14 13:21:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY: MFA STOPS M72 LAW TRANSFER/SALE TO GEORGIA

Tags:  ETTC GG MAS PARM PGOV PREL TU 
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VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #0506 0741321
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 141321Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5596
INFO RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 3143
RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
RUEHAK/TSR ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA//
S E C R E T ANKARA 000506 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PM/RSAT FOR DOWLEY, MP/DTCC FOR WATKINS, ISN/CATR FOR
MALZAHN, EUR/SE FOR GOODMAN, EUR/CARC FOR BENNETT, EUR/PRA
FOR PUCKETT AND HARDIMAN, T FOR KATSAPIS,

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2018
TAGS: ETTC GG MAS PARM PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA STOPS M72 LAW TRANSFER/SALE TO GEORGIA

REF: A. ANKARA 380


B. STATE 17964

Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)

S E C R E T ANKARA 000506

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PM/RSAT FOR DOWLEY, MP/DTCC FOR WATKINS, ISN/CATR FOR
MALZAHN, EUR/SE FOR GOODMAN, EUR/CARC FOR BENNETT, EUR/PRA
FOR PUCKETT AND HARDIMAN, T FOR KATSAPIS,

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2018
TAGS: ETTC GG MAS PARM PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA STOPS M72 LAW TRANSFER/SALE TO GEORGIA

REF: A. ANKARA 380


B. STATE 17964

Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para. 4.


2. (S) Following up on ref a demarche on the potential
transfer of U.S.-origin M72 light antitank weapons to Georgia
(ref b),MFA Department Head for Caucasus Affairs Firat Sunel
told us on March 13 that the GOT interagency investigation
into the case has been completed. Sunel confirmed that the
transfer has not taken place, and stated that the MFA has
decided to oppose the transaction due to concerns that such a
transaction might exacerbate already high tensions in
Georgia. Sunel said that during meetings with the Ministry
of Defense, MKEK representatives, and the Turkish General
Staff, it was unclear whether the equipment in question was
of U.S. origin or produced under license in Turkey by MKEK.
Sunel asked whether we have additional information on when
the equipment might have originally been transferred to
Turkey or whether the US ever granted a license for MKEK to
produce the equipment. We confirmed our understanding that
the USG has no records of MKEK receiving a license to produce
the equipment, and agreed to check whether we have records of
when the equipment was originally transferred to Turkey.


3. (S) We reminded Sunel that the US was not opposed to the
sales of arms to Georgia in principle, only to the transfer
of U.S.-origin equipment to a third party without prior USG
consent. Sunel took the point, but reiterated Turkey's
decision not to go forward with the transfer. We asked Sunel
to keep us apprised of any changes in the MFA's position on
this transaction.


4. (S) Action Request: Request Department provide post
information, if available, on when ref b equipment was
originally transferred to Turkey. End Action Request.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey

WILSON