US embassy cable - 04ANKARA4529

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004529 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ALSO FOR MNF-I AND MNF-I NORTH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MOPS, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: TURKS SEEK URGENT COOPERATION ON SECURITY MEASURES 
FOR TURKISH TRUCKERS IN IRAQ 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 4340 
     B. ISTANBUL 1249 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see para. four. 
 
2. (C) MFA Deputy Under Secretary for Bilateral Political 
Affairs Baki Ilkin called in DCM Aug. 11 to discuss the 
security situation for Turkish truckers in Iraq.  The GOT has 
been dealing with the murder and kidnapping of a number of 
Turkish workers--primarily truckers--in Iraq in recent weeks, 
most spectacularly the murder on the Internet of Murat Yuce 
on Aug. 2 (ref a).  Ilkin said that the GOT is facing a 
dilemma: it wants the flow of goods into Iraq to continue, 
but also must demonstrate to the major Turkish trucking 
associations and to ordinary Turkish truckers and the general 
public that it is taking genuine steps to improve the 
truckers' security.  Ilkin repeated the GOT's commitment to 
keep goods flowing to its southern neighbor, both for 
Turkey's economic interests and to supply goods needed to 
promote stability in Iraq. 
 
3. (C) Ilkin presented DCM with a non-paper (text in para. 
five) of preliminary Turkish thinking on possible steps to 
improve security for truckers.  He said that this issue has 
been moved to the top of the GOT agenda for the Aug. 16-17 
visit of Iraqi President al-Yawar, and clearly required 
trilateral cooperation.  He recommended that points of 
contact be established in both Ankara (U.S. Embassy and MFA) 
and Baghdad (IIG, Turkish and U.S. Embassies) to establish a 
dialogue on trucker security and to discuss both the ideas in 
the Turkish paper and any other ideas we might be able to 
bring to the table.  Ilkin emphasized the need for "us to 
work together seriously, effectively, and quickly," and 
repeated that the GOT was "in a very difficult position" on 
this issue.  Ilkin offered MFA Deputy DG for Bilateral 
Economic Affairs Sakir Fakili as MFA's Ankara POC, and asked 
that we be prepared to meet with him as early as Aug. 13 so 
that the Turks would be able to offer a preliminary report to 
Iraqi President al-Yawar's delegation during his Aug. 16-17 
visit to Ankara.  DCM responded that it is in all of our 
interests for Turkish drivers and businesspeople to be able 
to work in Iraq, and that we will work with Washington and 
Embassy Baghdad to see what steps are possible.  (Comment: We 
note that the GOT has thus far taken the correct path on this 
issue: it has been careful not to be drawn into the public 
(especially the press's) hand-wringing about the plight of 
Turkish truckers in Iraq, and several ministers have pointed 
to the importance of continuing to trade with Iraq.  End 
comment.) 
 
4. (C) Action request: We would like to be able to give a 
preliminary response to the Turks' paper by Aug. 13 and 
request guidance by COB Aug. 12.  We recognize that some of 
the Turkish ideas may not be realistic, but some may be 
feasible.  Request also that Washington and Embassy Baghdad 
consider the Turks' idea that we establish POC's for a 
dialogue in Baghdad, or Mosul if that is more appropriate. 
We request reactions that we may share to this proposal as 
well.  Additionally, we ask the Department to respond to ref 
a action request to inform us of what procedures MNF-I 
employs in protecting convoys of trucks crossing the Habur 
Gate carrying coalition and humanitarian supplies. 
 
5. (SBU) Begin text of non-paper: 
 
Turkey serves as a major supply route to Iraq, particularly 
for reconstruction efforts as well as humanitarian assistance 
and procurement for Coalition Forces.  The Turkish Government 
is fully convinced that economic recovery of Iraq is 
essential for peace and stability in the region and Turkey 
does its utmost in this regard.  The Turkish Government is of 
the view that there is no option other that the success of 
the ongoing efforts. 
 
The recent incidents in Iraq, however, have put the security 
of the Turkish drivers and their lorries at grave risk, also 
jeopardizing the supply line.  The Turkish Government will 
take up all these issues with President Ghazi al-Yawer and 
his delegation when they visit Ankara next week.  Yet, in the 
light of the prevailing situation in Iraq, the Turkish 
Government needs the full assistance and cooperation of the 
US authorities for the following: 
 
-Assistance for providing safe accommodations for truck 
drivers; 
 
-Reinforcement of escort and security services provided by US 
forces to Turkish drivers and trucks; 
-Provision of US assistance for the "RODER" and "UND" 
(Embassy Note: Turkey's two major trucking associations. 
End note.) experts for their field studies in Iraq which will 
be conducted with the purpose of searching for safe 
warehouse, transfer center and truck park facilities; 
 
-In this context, utilization and expansion of the World Food 
Program warehouse and the truck park at Mosul in accordance 
with the requirements of the Turkish transportation companies; 
 
-Lifting the escort discrimination applied to Turkish trucks 
with loads other than primary US requirements (kerosene, 
etc.) and providing appropriate reconnaissance and escort to 
all; 
 
-Developing a network of mobile telecommunications facility 
designed to assist the truck drivers in times of need and 
danger; 
 
-Convening of periodical meetings between the relevant 
parties on the aforementioned issues (namely security and 
escort, refurbishment and establishment of truck transfer 
centers); 
 
-Arrangement of meetings between US officials and 
representatives of the Turkish private sector companies 
operating in Iraq; 
 
-Establishment and consolidation of an insurance policy 
scheme for transporters (proper documentation of damages or 
losses, lowering or premiums); 
 
The Turkish Government would highly appreciate an early 
response for the aforementioned arrangements. 
 
10 August 2004 
 
END TEXT 
 
6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN