US embassy cable - 04ANKARA3254

S E C R E T ANKARA 003254 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
BAGHDAD FOR GOMPERT AND T. KELLY, ALSO PLEASE PASS TO CPA 
NORTH AND MNF-I; 
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2029 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, MARR, MOPS, IZ 
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: KURDS, TURKS AND THE PMF - URGENT 
NEED TO BRIEF TURKS ON REINTEGRATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR 
PMF'S IRAQIS AND KDP ON STATUS OF PMF DISCUSSION WITH TURKS 
 
REF: A. BAGHDAD 656 
     B. ANKARA 2876 
     C. ANKARA 2142 
     D. ANKARA 1541 
     E. ANKARA 676 
     F. ANKARA 519 
     G. 03 ANKARA 7526 
 
 
(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch.  Reasons 1.5 B and D. 
 
 
1. This is an action request - see para 4. 
 
 
2. (S/REL UK) This message seeks to clarify for readers of 
Ref A the players involved in the Turkish-led, but Iraqi 
staffed Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) and the state of play 
with the Turks in ending the PMF's tenure.  The PMF, 
established by the US, UK and Turkey in 1996 to monitor the 
cease-fire between the KDP and the PUK, is comprised of 
approximately 300 Iraqi Turkmen, 85 Iraqi Assyrians and a 
cadre of 25 Turkish officers and NCOs.  Thus, it is not a 
Turkish force, but an Iraqi one led by Turks and established 
by a coalition including the US.  There is broad agreement, 
including among Turks, that the PMF has outlived its purpose 
and should be disbanded.  Turkey has agreed to announce the 
end of the PMF provided the US finds suitable employment in 
Iraq for the PMF's 385 Iraqis (see Refs B and C).  CPA and 
MNF-I have been working on this and have been in touch with 
the Turkish government on the matter, although the Turks 
still await a detailed briefing on options and procedures for 
decommissioned Iraqi PMF soldiers.  The KDP and the Kurdistan 
National Assembly have been calling for an end to the PMF 
since fall of 2003.  They have, up until now, been consistent 
in their position that this call applied to the PMF only - 
and not to the Turkish forces present in Iraq to monitor the 
PKK.  Turkish forces monitoring the PKK are present in the 
north based on pre-OIF agreements between Turkey and the KDP 
and PUK respectively (see Refs D-G). 
 
 
3. (S/REL UK) If we can find suitable positions for the Iraqi 
PMF soldiers, we expect Turkey would rapidly agree to 
announce the termination of the PMF, though its actual 
dissolution will be linked to the timing of the opportunities 
on offer.  In light of this situation, it would be extremely 
unfortunate if the KDP moved against the PMF shortly after 
June 30, provoking conflict with the Turks, while we work for 
an orderly termination of the PMF that appears very close. 
It would also be unfortunate if we proved unable to make the 
offers necessary to elicit the promised Turkish statement 
before June 30. 
 
 
4. (S/REL UK) ACTION REQUESTS: 1) We strongly recommend that 
CPA brief the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad on an urgent basis 
concerning opportunities on offer for decommissioned Iraqi 
PMF soldiers and solicit a commitment to make a statement 
before June 30 that the PMF is being shut down. 2)  We also 
strongly recommend CPA-North or Task Force Olympia Commander 
brief KDP and PUK leadership on the state of play with the 
Turks and the expectation that the PMF will soon be closed, 
but with timing linked to our ability to place the PMF's 
Iraqis in suitable positions. 
 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN