TURKEY: CARGO HUB OPERATIONS EXTENDED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001840 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2019 TAGS: MARR PREL TU IR AF SUBJECT: TURKEY: CARGO HUB OPERATIONS EXTENDED Classified By: Acting Political-Military Counselor Kami Witmer, Reasons 1.4 (b)(d) ¶1. (SBU) On December 25 the GOT notified post via dip note 2009/ALGY/570349 of the Council of Ministers' positive decision to extend pre-existing agreements for cargo hub and retrograde operations in Turkey. This extension allows U.S. forces to continue operations at Incirlik Air Base and is valid through December 31, 2010. The actual text of the Council of Ministers decree was not shared; it is classified (as in previous years). Text of the diplomatic note follows in para two. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Text of Diplomatic Note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to the latter's note No: 09-02911 dated 23 November 2009, has the honour to inform the Embassy of the following: The Council of Ministers adopted on 4 December 2009, the Decree No: 2009/15676 extending the validity of the Decree No: 14449 until 31 December 2010, taking into consideration the importance that the Turkish Government attributes to the independence, territorial integrity, stability and security of Iraq and of its commitment for support to the reconstruction of that country, as well as for the efforts aiming at providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. The rules and principles to be applied to the U.S. forces for the logistic support activities carried out through Turkish sea ports and air ports, including the 10th Tanker Base Command/Incirlik will continue to be implemented. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Ankara, 25 December 2009 End Text. ¶3. (C) Post continues to seek a meeting with MFA and the Turkish General Staff (TGS) to discuss amendments to existing agreements in order to enhance future retrograde operations. JEFFREY "Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"