US embassy cable - 04ANKARA3758

S E C R E T ANKARA 003758 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BAGHDAD FOR JEFFREY AND NEUMANN, ALSO PASS MNF-I; 
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2029 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, MARR, MOPS, IZ 
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ: TURKS ANNOUNCE END OF PMF - TURKISH 
PMF TROOPS WAITING TO SEE HOW WE TREAT PMF TURKMEN BEFORE 
RETURNING TO TURKEY 
 
REF: A. BAGHDAD 738 
 
     B. BAGHDAD 716 
     C. BAGHDAD 656 
     D. ANKARA 3254 
     E. ANKARA 2876 
     F. ANKARA 2142 
     G. ANKARA 1541 
     H. ANKARA 676 
     I. ANKARA 519 
     J. 03 ANKARA 7526 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert S. Deutsch.  Reasons 1.4 b and 
d. 
 
1. (U) This is an action request - see para 3. 
 
2. (S/REL UK) On July 2, the Turkish MFA spokesman announced 
that "the duty of the Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) is 
terminated." (Full statement at para 4.)  Upon seeing press 
reports that the Turks with the PMF were returning to Turkey, 
we contacted MFA Iraq Department Head Serra Kileli for 
confirmation.  She said that the press stories were false and 
that, according to the Turkish General Staff, the approx. 25 
Turkish PMF members were still in Iraq.  Their departure, she 
said, would take some time.  They would stay in Iraq until 
arrangements could be made to transport their personal 
effects and in order to see what MNF-I would do about 
employing the PMF's Iraqi Turkmen. 
 
3. (S/REL UK) ACTION REQUEST: We request MNF-I be instructed 
to immediately contact the PMF and begin the PMF's transition 
and reintegration process as outlined to the Turks Refs A-C. 
Clearly, the Turkish PMF elements are watching to see whether 
we make good on our previous offers regarding PMF placement 
in Iraqi security structures.  Our rapid movement on this 
will ensure a rapid withdrawal of Turkish PMF elements and 
bring the PMF's existence to final closure. 
 
4. (U) Begin text of Turkish MFA statement on end of PMF 
issued July 2: 
 
 As is known, the PMF was established in 1997 at the 
initiative of Turkey, the USA and the UK in order to monitor 
the cease-fire after the conflict between the KDP and the PUK 
in northern Iraq.  Since then, the PMF has undertaken the 
important responsibility of maintaining peace in northern 
Iraq and its activities have been appreciated by the two 
above-mentioned groups in the region.  By upholding this 
responsibility in a positive way, the duty of the PMF is 
terminated.  By its nature, this force is comprised of local 
Iraqi personnel who were trained by a contribution of our 
(Turkey's) armed forces.  It is understood that these trained 
personnel could be employed by the newly established security 
structures in Iraq. 
 
End text of MFA statement. 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
DEUTSCH