TURKISH MFA ON IRAQ MEETINGS IN KUWAIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000772

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ US TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA ON IRAQ MEETINGS IN KUWAIT

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Turkish MFA Deputy U/S Sinirlioglu briefed Ambassador
April 24 on Turkish FM Babacan's talks with PM Maliki in
Kuwait earlier this week. He said the Turks found Maliki
more confident after the Basra confrontation. Both sides
were pleased with progress on the mil-mil front, economic
cooperation and political dialogue. MFA U/S Apakan,
Sinirlioglu and Iraq coordinator Ozcelik will travel to
Baghdad o/a May 5 for talks with the government. Foreign
Trade Minister Tuzmen will visit later.


2. (C) Maliki reportedly said he is ready to launch the new
high-level cooperation/oversight mechanism suggested during
President Talabani's visit here in March. It would happen
soon -- during visits by either Maliki to Turkey or PM
Erdogan to Baghdad. Sinirlioglu said that Turkey will try to
make the Erdogan visit happen, which he agreed would be a big
tonic for Iraq and for Turkish-Iraqi relations. The Turks
apparently took on board a query from Maliki about having a
representative of his take part in Turkey's meeting with KRG
PM Nechirvan Barzani whenever that happens, especially if it
is in Baghdad. Sinirlioglu indicated that Ankara is cautious
on this.


3. (C) Babacan reportedly complained about the absence of
Turkish oil firms on pre-qualified list to participate in
Iraqi hydrocarbons development that was put out by the Iraqi
Oil Ministry recently. Maliki claimed to know nothing about
it and said he would check. The Turks came away thinking
that this problem may get addressed, perhaps on a second list
the ministry may put out. Maliki also highlighted the
government's interest in export routes north through Turkey
for Iraqi oil and gas.


4. (C) Turkish plans to go ahead with a Basra consulate and
an industrial development zone in southern Iraq were welcomed
by Maliki, according to the Turks. The Iraqi PM said that he
would help identify a suitable building for the consulate.
Once this is made ready, Turkey will proceed to open it.
Sinirlioglu said that the British have also offered a
building at their airport to supplement this. He also
briefly described a trilateral Turkey-UK-Kuwait meeting about
Basra and the industrial zone. They agreed to form a working
group that will include Iraq to figure out how to go forward.
Sinirlioglu asked whether legislation to extend trade
privileges to a zone along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border
might apply to this southern Iraq zone or other regions of
Iraq. Ambassador described the legislation and said he was
unaware of serious proposals to extend its provisions to Iraq
at this time.


5. (C) Regarding relations with Iraq and the PKK, Ambassador
reiterated points made last week by Acting U/S Fried to
Turkish MFA U/S Apakan on the continuation of our
intelligence cooperation against the PKK and the concomitant
need for Turkey to bear in mind political sensitivities in
Iraq as it plans and carries out specific activities. He
urged more transparency with Iraq on these cross-border
actions. Direct notification prior to, after the initiation
of or at least immediately following Turkish cross-border
actions would go a long way toward clearing the fog of war as
confusing and contentious news reports reach Iraqi
authorities. Sinirlioglu said he believes there is some
mechanism established though military channels, but would
check. He agreed on the wisdom of some kind of notification
system.

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

WILSON