TURKISH AMBASSADOR ON DISPUTED TERRITORIES/KIRKUK,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001557 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2023 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKISH AMBASSADOR ON DISPUTED TERRITORIES/KIRKUK, TALKS WITH KRG, IRAQI TURKMEN REF: A. ANKARA 901 B. BAGHDAD 1451 C. BAGHDAD 1514 D. BAGHDAD 1535 Classified By: Special Advisor Thomas J. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: Turkish Ambassador Derya Kanbay told Senior Advisor May 18 that Turkey would reject any Kurdish "annexation" of Kirkuk because of concerns about Iraqi territorial integrity but also emphasized the GOT found UNAMI's efforts on disputed territories and the status of Kirkuk to be "very valuable." Kanbay characterized the May 1 talks between Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) PM Nechirvan Barzani and Turkish envoys as a good start, and said that Turkish Special Envoy Murat Ozcelik hoped to meet with KRG President Masood Barzani when Barzani was next in Baghdad. Pressed on the GOT's relationship with the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Kanbay said the GOT supports them but does not "run them." Kanbay also described a recent shooting of a Turkish security guard near their Embassy, said the attack was not directed against Ozcelik (who was already at the airport) and thanked the USG for its assistance on getting the wounded guard to the airport quickly to be medevaced. End Summary. Kirkuk is Key; GOT Supports UNAMI's Efforts -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador Kanbay reiterated the GOT's position on disputed territories and the status of Kirkuk by emphasizing Turkey's interest in strongly supporting a unified Iraq, with no threat of territorial divisions. Kanbay said that any "Balkanization" of Iraq would have dire regional consequences, and noted the GOT is watching the possible future establishment of a southern region (or regions) closely. For example, he said the GOT deliberately chose to establish its new Basra consulate with a small consular district that includes only Maysan, Dhi Qar and Basra provinces to de-emphasize a potential nine-province Shia-dominated region. (Note: the consulate is meant to open this summer in interim space at Basra Air Station, with the Turks hoping for an eventual move to a downtown location. End note) ¶3. (C) On Kirkuk, Kanbay said that Kurdish aims to "annex" Kirkuk lie not just in their so-called historical and cultural claims but also in their energy and oil interests. He also claimed the Kurds want Kirkuk because it is an important symbol of Iraq. A Kirkuk within the Kurdistan region could therefore be used as a catalyst for "regional competition," which could be destabilizing. Stability is vital to strong economic ties and Turkey's ability to use its southern border with Iraq for increased trade into the Middle East, Kanbay said. Kirkuk could "explode," Kanbay continued, and the issue must be solved by an "acceptable, viable and practical solution." Kirkuk should stay an Iraqi city with equal representation by all parties, Kanbay asserted, and Turkey would reject the "annexation" of Kirkuk by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). ¶4. (C) For these reasons, Kanbay emphasized that United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura's efforts were "very valuable" in trying to find a viable solution. He said, however, that any precipitous action to make Kirkuk part of the KRG would "disrupt the recently started dialogue" between GOT and KRG representatives (ref b). GOT-KRG Dialogue a "Good Start" -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) Regarding the discussions held in Baghdad on May 1 between KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Turkish Special Envoy Murat Ozcelik and Turkish PM Advisor Ahmet Davutoglu, Kanbay called the talks a "good start" and said he hoped there would be a meeting soon between Ozcelik and KRG President Masood Barzani when Masood visits Baghdad next. Kanbay noted that Nechirvan was "young and eager," and said he hoped Nechirvan was making correct political calculations. The Turkish and Kurdish publics need to be brought along, he continued, and our mutual lack of confidence in each other needs actions to create more trust. The Turkish Embassy told us separately on May 19 that they expected Ozcelik would visit Baghdad next week to meet with PM Nechirvan Barzani, as he had been abroad during Ozcelik's May 13-15 visit. Turkey's Relations with Iraqi Turkmen -------------- ¶6. (C) Senior Advisor asked Ambassador Kanbay about the GOT's relationship with the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF). Kanbay avoided the question initially by describing the general Turkman community at large and GOT activities. For example, he said the GOT tells the Turkmen political parties not to build its politics on hatred of the Kurds. He mentioned surprise about recently learning that about 30-35% of Turkmen in Kirkuk speak the Kurdish language and noted that Turkmen in Kirkuk differentiate between Kurds originally in Kirkuk and those Kurds who moved to the area after 2003. He said that the Turkish Embassy keeps a close eye to ensure that members of the Turkmen community do not turn towards the insurgency or AQI in Tal Afar or Mosul. Most Turkmen are scientists, engineers and civil servants, Kanbay continued, and if the community could be encouraged and supported, they can be an "element of democratic understanding." ¶7. (C) Responding to Senior Advisor's asking again about the ITF specifically, Kanbay characterized the ITF as more of an umbrella group, rather than a political party or charitable organization. He asserted that the ITF is a protector of Turkmen, Shia and Sunni alike, but also admitted that its personalities are not as popular as the group itself. He claimed that the GOT supports the ITF but does not "run them." Turkey does not want the Turkmen to turn to Iran or Syria for support. As a recent example of GOT intervention, Kanbay offered that recently Turkmenli Television had begun using negative anti-American language in its news broadcasts, but he called them and told them to stop. Recent Shooting of a Turkish Embassy Guard Not Directed Against Special Envoy Ozcelik -------------- ¶8. (C) Special Advisor asked for details on the recent attack of a Turkish Embassy guard. Kanbay said the attack occurred on the street at a market close by the Turkish Embassy. A group of Turkish security guards in uniform were out shopping "in their comfort zone" because of their close proximity to the embassy compound. Unknown gunmen opened fire, injuring one of the guards seriously. He took four bullets in the upper legs and hips breaking bones. Kanbay said Ozcelik was at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in his plane ready to take off. Kanbay called to delay the plane in order to medevac the wounded guard. Kanbay said they had some problems en route and getting into BIAP, but "someone in your front office" resolved them quickly. The guard got on the plane and returned to Ankara; he is reportedly doing well. Kanbay called it a minor attack and played it down, and thanked us for our help. ¶9. (C) On a related note, Kanbay said that the local Sahwa group in his neighborhood is a good thing but has caused an issue for them by closing off all points of entry/exit to their compound area but one -- creating an obvious chokepoint that could be easily targeted. Kanbay said they had talked with the local security commander about this problem and expected that a more flexible solution would soon be identified. Kanbay's staff followed up the next day with the Pol-Mil section, which will coordinate with MNF-I to examine options. CROCKER