TURKISH PARLIAMENT APPROVES SENDING FRIGATE TO THE

UNCLAS ANKARA 000239

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS KCRM PREL PGOV EWWT PBTS PHSA PTER TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH PARLIAMENT APPROVES SENDING FRIGATE TO THE
GULF OF ADEN

REF: A. 08 ANKARA 2184

B. 08 STATE 133199


1. The Turkish Parliament approved February 10 a motion
authorizing the government to send naval forces to the Gulf
of Aden to protect commercial vessels from pirates. The
Turkish Naval Forces frigate Giresun (ex USS Flatley, an
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate) will reportedly depart
February 17 to join Joint Task Force 151. The petition
specified that the frigate is expected to operate in the Gulf
of Aden, including Somali territorial waters, for one year.


2. The petition, submitted by the Prime Minister, noted that
three Turkish ships had been captured and 37 Turkish sailors
taken hostage, and called the current environment a threat to
Turkish commercial interests and to Turkish citizens. (Note:
None of these vessels remain in captivity; press reports
suggest that their owners paid ransom for their release. End
note.) The frigate will join Task Force 151 to participate in
operations against pirates as authorized in UNSCR 1851.
According to the petition, its duties will be to conduct
surveillance, boarding of ships, escort duties for commercial
vessels, aid of vessels under attack by pirates, and capture,
interrogate, and detain pirates as required. The petition
also states that Turkish Naval Forces will not be tasked to
serve on Somali territory nor participate in any ground
operations against the pirates.


3. All parties in Parliament voted for the petition except
the Democratic Society Party (DTP).

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey

Jeffrey