NINEWA: CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKISH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000981 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2018 TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL ECON TU IZ SUBJECT: NINEWA: CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL AND PRT PAYING DIVIDENDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ REF: BAGHDAD 195 Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland for reasons 1.4 b and d. This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message. U.S.-Turkey Relations Strong in Development of Ninewa -------------- ¶1. (C) Over the past six months, Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Ninewa and the Turkish Consulate General for northern Iraq, based in Mosul, have combined efforts across a variety of fields to advance our common interests for stability, development and peace in Ninewa. We have been fortunate that the Turkish Consul General is a strong believer in the U.S.-Turkey alliance, as well as very experienced in the development challenges in a conflict zone, with a history of service in Afghanistan. Both the PRT and the Consulate General are aware as well that our interests do not coincide in all areas, and we have agreed to concentrate on initiatives where there is commonality of interest. Concrete Results of U.S.-Turkey Cooperation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The results of U.S.-Turkey cooperation in Iraq's second-largest province have been impressive: - We cooperate informally whenever there are humanitarian emergencies in the province. For example, after the massive Zinjali explosion in west Mosul in January 2008 (ref A),PRT Ninewa, working closely with the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment (3ACR),facilitated the medical evacuation of severely injured Iraqis by air ambulance to Turkey. We also coordinated assistance from USAID implementing partner International Medical Corps (IMC) and the Turkish Red Crescent. The Turkish Consulate General's close contacts with the Iraqi Red Crescent have also helped us to respond quickly and effectively to many of the humanitarian emergencies faced by Ninewa. - PRT Ninewa has used the good offices of the Turkish Consulate General to build bridges with contacts with whom we have had difficulty meeting in the past, especially because of security. For example, the Turkish Consulate General has excellent historic ties with the President of Mosul University, traditionally one of Iraq's premier universities. However, the campus remains a tough place to meet because of terrorist activity. The Turkish Consul General arranged a meeting between the PRT Leader and Mosul University President, which has led to expanded ties in the medical and veterinary fields. - PRT Ninewa is working on a sustainable wheelchair assembly project, which would begin with donations, but become an integrated program funded by the Iraqi Ministry of Health and Iraqi Red Crescent for quality wheelchair assembly, prosthetics production, and rehabilitation. Turkey has committed to funding an initial charitable purchase, as well as follow-on support for training. PRT Ninewa has requested funding through a USAID program, and is working with the province's Health Director General to integrate our efforts into a tripartite initiative. - PRT Ninewa, using Emergency Stabilization Funds, is completing a cardiac surgery center as an annex to the Ibn Sina Hospital in Mosul. When completed in 2008, this cardiac surgery center will be one of only two such centers in Iraq. Ninewa province, with strong support from the Governor, included the full cost of basic medical equipment for this center in its 2008 provincial capital budget. The Turkish Consulate General had made an additional pledge of approximately USD one million to ensure that the center had adequate equipment; with the provincial government now delivering on equipment, the Turks are now committed to diverting that donation to other medical needs. - The Turkish Consulate General in March 2008 brought Cuneyt Esmer, a professional from the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) to evaluate potential projects in Mosul. Based on his successful visit, TIKA plans to place a permanent officer in the Consulate General in Mosul. We have already inaugurated a partnership between the PRT, especially USAID, and TIKA to combine efforts, avoid duplication, and to leverage each other's projects to maximize development impact. Turkish Envoy Pledges Further Support -------------- BAGHDAD 00000981 002 OF 002 ¶3. (SBU) In a meeting on March 26, Turkish Special Envoy Ozcelik said he had the authority to approve TIKA foreign assistance projects in Mosul. TIKA representative Esmer was also in attendance, and said he had a list of 81 projects that the Turkish Consulate had submitted to be completed in northern Iraq in the next three months. Ozcelik did not say how many he would approve, but expressed a positive review of the projects. He also said he supports the wheelchair project. Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The arrival of TIKA in Mosul opens the prospect of substantially expanded cooperation between the Turkish Consulate General and PRT in Ninewa. We have agreed on frequent meetings between the PRT, led by USAID, and TIKA to take full advantage of synergies. We also hope to combine our efforts to encourage other international donors - both government and private - to take a serious look at starting development assistance projects in this strategic province. CROCKER