Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA63
2009-01-14 17:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN NATO ALLIANCE GROUND
how-toBarbara J Miles 01/15/2009 10:04:34 AM From DB/Inbox: Barbara J Miles Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 00063 CX: ACTION: AMB INFO: POL PMA DCM DISSEMINATION: AMB /1 CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: PMA:AGODFREY DRAFTED: PMA:RLEE CLEARED: NONE VZCZCAYI468 OO RUEHC RUEHZG RUEKJCS RUEKJCS RUEUITH RUEHAK DE RUEHAK #0063/01 0141703 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141703Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8461 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// IMMEDIATE RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000063
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE AND EUR/RPM DAVY,
OSD FOR ISA-NATO SINKS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO MARR
SUBJECT: TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN NATO ALLIANCE GROUND
SURVEILLANCE (AGS) PROGRAM
REF: SECSTATE 3482
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A.F. Godfrey
Will Not Break Silence...
-------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000063
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE AND EUR/RPM DAVY,
OSD FOR ISA-NATO SINKS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO MARR
SUBJECT: TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN NATO ALLIANCE GROUND
SURVEILLANCE (AGS) PROGRAM
REF: SECSTATE 3482
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A.F. Godfrey
Will Not Break Silence...
--------------
1. (C) In response to reftel demarche, MFA NATO
Infrastructure and Logistics Department Head Deniz Cakar told
us that although Turkey has decided not to break silence on
the basing decision for the NATO AGS program, it was not
happy with the process leading up to the NAC decision sheet.
She made clear that if another nation breaks silence first,
Turkey will join the break and submit its views. She
stressed that the key reason Turkey decided not to break
silence is because of its close ties with the US and a desire
to show solidarity in a program that is clearly important for
the US. She complained that Turkey felt it was not
adequately consulted as NATO was deliberating the relative
merits of each of the Main Operating Base (MOB) candidates
and alleged that the US appeared more interested in
consulting and coordinating with Germany and Italy rather
than Turkey on this issue. She said Turkey had expressed its
concerns and views on a number of occasions with the relevant
NATO Assistant Secretary General, but felt that Ankara's
views were not given serious consideration.
... But May Still Withdraw from AGS
--------------
2. (C) Cakar said Turkey could still very well withdraw from
the program. Selection of Corlu as the program's MOB was
"the main reason" for Turkish participation, and with that
rationale gone, the only reason it is not breaking silence is
out of solidarity with the US. She said it was unclear
whether there will be added value for Turkey by participating
in this program and that the MFA and TGS will have to further
assess the details of the program to determine whether it is
worthwhile for Turkey to participate.
3. (C) We noted that Turkish participation in the program
will bring valuable benefits to Turkish industry as well as
consideration by SHAPE for a possible future support role for
Corlu. While expressing appreciation for Turkey's desire to
show solidarity with the US, we stressed that giving NATO AGS
is important for NATO's key missions, including in
Afghanistan. Cakar downplayed the potential benefits to
Turkey by participating in the program, and stressed again
that the political decision was to maintain silence in
support of the US.
4. (C) Mentioning some of the alternatives Turkey is
considering, Cakar said Turkey may decide not to contribute
to the initial acquisition costs, or Turkey may opt out of
paying for maintenance, although it will likely contribute
toward operating costs on a cost-share basis. She noted
Turkey is seeking its own ISR assets and, depending on when
those come on-line, Turkey might opt to provide "in-kind"
contributions to the program, similar to the UK approach,
instead of paying into NATO cost shares.
5. (C) She noted that one consideration that might be helpful
from the Turkish military's perspective (although this is not
a decisive factor) is to offer a billet at the AGS MOB to a
Turkish officer that is higher than Turkey's cost share would
normally warrant. She did not specify at what level Turkey
believes it should have a billet, but would only say that the
Turkish military is not interested in a "minor role."
6. (C) Comment: While Turkey has agreed to maintain silence
on the NAC decision on basing for the AGS program, it is far
from certain that Turkey will remain in the program. Turkey
clearly felt stung by what it perceives as a NATO (and US)
bias in favor of Italy and Germany early on in the process of
determining the MOB location. If Turkey chooses to remain in
the program, it will likely try to place conditions on the
PMOU it signs. While Turkey realizes it is not normal
procedure to provide a relatively senior billet to a nation
that is not contributing a significant share of the costs of
a NATO program, this may be necessary to help ensure Turkey
remains on board. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE AND EUR/RPM DAVY,
OSD FOR ISA-NATO SINKS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO MARR
SUBJECT: TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN NATO ALLIANCE GROUND
SURVEILLANCE (AGS) PROGRAM
REF: SECSTATE 3482
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A.F. Godfrey
Will Not Break Silence...
--------------
1. (C) In response to reftel demarche, MFA NATO
Infrastructure and Logistics Department Head Deniz Cakar told
us that although Turkey has decided not to break silence on
the basing decision for the NATO AGS program, it was not
happy with the process leading up to the NAC decision sheet.
She made clear that if another nation breaks silence first,
Turkey will join the break and submit its views. She
stressed that the key reason Turkey decided not to break
silence is because of its close ties with the US and a desire
to show solidarity in a program that is clearly important for
the US. She complained that Turkey felt it was not
adequately consulted as NATO was deliberating the relative
merits of each of the Main Operating Base (MOB) candidates
and alleged that the US appeared more interested in
consulting and coordinating with Germany and Italy rather
than Turkey on this issue. She said Turkey had expressed its
concerns and views on a number of occasions with the relevant
NATO Assistant Secretary General, but felt that Ankara's
views were not given serious consideration.
... But May Still Withdraw from AGS
--------------
2. (C) Cakar said Turkey could still very well withdraw from
the program. Selection of Corlu as the program's MOB was
"the main reason" for Turkish participation, and with that
rationale gone, the only reason it is not breaking silence is
out of solidarity with the US. She said it was unclear
whether there will be added value for Turkey by participating
in this program and that the MFA and TGS will have to further
assess the details of the program to determine whether it is
worthwhile for Turkey to participate.
3. (C) We noted that Turkish participation in the program
will bring valuable benefits to Turkish industry as well as
consideration by SHAPE for a possible future support role for
Corlu. While expressing appreciation for Turkey's desire to
show solidarity with the US, we stressed that giving NATO AGS
is important for NATO's key missions, including in
Afghanistan. Cakar downplayed the potential benefits to
Turkey by participating in the program, and stressed again
that the political decision was to maintain silence in
support of the US.
4. (C) Mentioning some of the alternatives Turkey is
considering, Cakar said Turkey may decide not to contribute
to the initial acquisition costs, or Turkey may opt out of
paying for maintenance, although it will likely contribute
toward operating costs on a cost-share basis. She noted
Turkey is seeking its own ISR assets and, depending on when
those come on-line, Turkey might opt to provide "in-kind"
contributions to the program, similar to the UK approach,
instead of paying into NATO cost shares.
5. (C) She noted that one consideration that might be helpful
from the Turkish military's perspective (although this is not
a decisive factor) is to offer a billet at the AGS MOB to a
Turkish officer that is higher than Turkey's cost share would
normally warrant. She did not specify at what level Turkey
believes it should have a billet, but would only say that the
Turkish military is not interested in a "minor role."
6. (C) Comment: While Turkey has agreed to maintain silence
on the NAC decision on basing for the AGS program, it is far
from certain that Turkey will remain in the program. Turkey
clearly felt stung by what it perceives as a NATO (and US)
bias in favor of Italy and Germany early on in the process of
determining the MOB location. If Turkey chooses to remain in
the program, it will likely try to place conditions on the
PMOU it signs. While Turkey realizes it is not normal
procedure to provide a relatively senior billet to a nation
that is not contributing a significant share of the costs of
a NATO program, this may be necessary to help ensure Turkey
remains on board. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey