IRAQ-TURKEY MILITARY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001055 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (TAGS) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2019 TAGS: PREL MARR IR TU SUBJECT: IRAQ-TURKEY MILITARY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A.F. Godfrey, Reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Summary and Commment: MFA provided Post a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkish General Staff (TGS) and the Ministry of Defense of Iraq on military cooperation in training, technology and science, with the understanding that we not inform the Iraqis. The memorandum establishes a formal basis for the two nations to engage in mil-to-mil cooperation. Although Turkey has signed similar MOUs with over fifty countries and views this as part of its standard operating procedure in engaging with neighbors, the actual signing of this agreement reflects a meaningful, albeit modest, step forward in Turkey-Iraq military relations. Text of the agreement has been sent to Embassy Baghdad and the Department. End Summary and Comment. ¶2. (C) The MOU, signed on June 9 by Deputy Chief of TGS General Hasan Igsiz and by Iraqi Joint Forces, Vice Chief of Staff General Nasier Abadi, supports the exchange of personnel, material, equipment, information and expertise in various fields of military cooperation. According to Article IV of the agreement, cooperation between the two nations may include, but is not limited to, the following areas: -- Military training and education; -- The bilateral exchange of observers to joint exercises; -- Defense industry cooperation; -- Personnel management; -- Military intelligence; -- Military history and archives; -- Logistics systems; -- Military medicine and healthcare; -- Communications; -- Military geography; and -- Technological research. Additional areas of cooperation may also be added if there is agreement by both parties. ¶3. (C) Article V of the Memorandum also outlines the channels of cooperation. According to the agreement, the two nations may: -- Organize bilateral visits of the Ministers of Defense, Chiefs of Staff and other various officials; -- Hold expert-level exchanges; -- Hold contacts between similar institutions; -- Organize discussions, meetings, consultations and Courses; and -- Conduct joint exercises. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey JEFFREY