TURKISH-IRAQ-U.S. TRILATERAL SECURITY TALKS:

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004003 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2018 TAGS: MARR PINR PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKISH-IRAQ-U.S. TRILATERAL SECURITY TALKS: INCREMENTAL PROGRESS REF: A. BAGHDAD 3793 ¶B. BAGHDAD 3170 Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political-Military Affairs Michae l Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: The third meeting of the Iraqi-Turkish-US security committee/working group on Dec. 20 ended without an agreement on terms-of-reference for the group or an exchange of intelligence, although the increased level of participation, organization, and orderly discussion indicated that the talks remain on a slow but steady track. The US announcement of a general officer to the talks prompted the Turks to offer a general officer as well; both are expected to join the next meeting Jan. 15. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Tariq Baldawi, Deputy Minister of State for National Security Affairs, chaired the third Iraqi-Turkish-USG meeting in Baghdad to improve information-sharing and security coordination. Baldawi was joined by Brigadier General Delshad Najiband of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and representatives of other GOI agencies including military intelligence and the office of the National Security Advisor. The Turkish Defense Attach, COL Cengiz Ozen, led the GOT delegation, which also included a representative from Turkish intelligence. Pol-Mil, MNF-I operations and intelligence made up the US side. ¶3. (S) The Iraqi delegation opened the meeting by stating that they had specific intelligence on the terrorist organization Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK),but wanted to establish intelligence-sharing mechanisms and reporting formats before sharing it. The GOT delegation also said they were ready to share information after procedures were established. The parties agreed in the future to exchange of information within the meeting on hard copy and provide future requests in both English and Arabic. Specifically, the Iraqi and Turkish delegations discussed an exchange information on PKK members in Iraq to use in evaluating the success of efforts to combat the organization, as well as PKK location and logistical support. ¶4. (C) The US delegation urged speedy resolution of the committee's terms-of-reference, but the GOT delegation requested more time to develop its proposals and agreed to discuss the issue at the next meeting. ¶5. (C) The USG also announced the appointment of MNF-I RDML Lothrop Little as the 1-star representative to the committee. This prompted COL Cengiz to reciprocate by inviting MG Erdal Ozturk of the Turkish General Staff to the next committee meeting, scheduled for January 15 in Baghdad. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: While we cannot yet point to any tangible accomplishments from this process, the process is heading in the right direction, as indicated by the Turkish decision to raise their level of participation, and the parties now all seem genuinely engaged. Coming meetings will determine whether this interest translates into action. CROCKER