TURKISH PARLIAMENT EXTENDS AUTHORITY FOR CROSS

UNCLAS ANKARA 001452 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKISH PARLIAMENT EXTENDS AUTHORITY FOR CROSS BORDER OPERATIONS IN IRAQ REF: ANKARA 01391 ¶1. (U) On October 6 the Turkish Parliament approved a one-year extension to perform cross border operations in Iraq. Out of the 475 Ministers of Parliament who voted on the motion, 452 voted in favor. All twenty-one members of DTP, the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party. The one-year time line begins October 17. ¶2. (U) Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that, "The government is determined to implement the Kurdish initiative package in the near future. The extension of the Cross-Border Operation motion will contribute to these efforts. We will maintain our multi-dimensional, diplomatic and military politics in order to eliminate the terror problem. Our aim is to establish a sustainable security environment in which there will be no need for similar motions." Comment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) This approval was widely expected, but does not/not represent any change in policy nor does it signal preparations for the Turkish military to conduct a major cross-border strike. Top-level support in the Turkish General Staff for the whole-of-government "Kurdish initiative" remains strong. JEFFREY "Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"