US embassy cable - 04ANKARA5117

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005117 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, PTER, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: TAL AFAR BATTLE: GOT VOICES CONCERNS REGARDING 
ETHNIC BALANCE AND TURKISH POPULAR OPINION 
 
REF: ANKARA 5100 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Ambassador spoke with MFA Undersecretary-designate Ali 
Tuygan afternoon of Sept 10 to provide him with 
more detail on the situation in Tal Afar based on LNO 
reporting.  Amb. stressed that the Turkish message on the 
need for discriminate use of force and protection of 
civilians had registered with Washington and that Task 
Force Olympia was attempting to do just that in its efforts 
to eliminate a large group of insurgents operating in 
Tal Afar.  U/S Tuygan expressed appreciation for the 
information provided.  He said that the Turkish concern was 
that Tal Afar had been a relatively peaceful place and that 
the Turkmen had attempted to stay out of the conflicts that 
raged in other parts of Iraq.  He could not say with 
assurance where the insurgents had come from but he was 
certain that they had imposed themselves on the local 
population.  MFA was concerned that if there was a 
prolonged use of indiscriminate force with lots of collateral 
damage and injuries to the civilian population 
this would have the effect of increasing support for the 
insurgents.  Ambassador assured Tuygan that eyewitness 
reports from the U.S. LNO suggested great care was being 
taken to limit damage and prevent civilian casualties.  So 
far, TFO believed all KIA were insurgent fighters but was 
seeking confirmation via the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). 
 
2. (C) Tuygan picked up on this point and said the 
composition of the ISF was important.  Ambassador confirmed 
that many in the Iraqi National Guard units that were 
involved were former peshmerga but they were operating with 
MNF TFO and reported to Baghdad.  Tuygan said that the 
Turkish concern was that they might try to take advantage of 
the situation to change the demographic balance of Tal Afar 
as Kurds were attempting to do in Kirkuk.  Ambassador 
stressed that the TFO operation was targeting insurgents, 
some of whom were Turkmen, but not targeting Turkmen citizens 
or forces.  There was no effort underway to change the 
demographic balance in Tal Afar.  Tuygan stressed the 
sensitivity of interethnic relations in Tal Afar and said the 
appearance of such an effort "could ignite internal strife." 
It would also, he said, create a difficult situation for 
Turkey.  The GOT would be accused in the press of providing 
logistical support for U.S. and Kurdish efforts to eliminate 
the Turkmen population.  "If things got out of hand" Turkey 
would be forced to react.  "We have absolutely no intention 
of sending in our own forces but we might have to take steps 
that would impact our cooperation in Iraq." 
 
3. (C) Ambassador reiterated that operations were ongoing and 
there would no doubt be rumors and exaggerated reports.  He 
urged Tuygan to be in touch directly if reports reached MFA 
that gave the GOT cause for concern.  It was important to 
ascertain the facts on the ground before reacting.  Tuygan 
agreed and promised to be in touch. 
 
4. (C) COMMENT:  Tuygan was extremely appreciative of the 
information he received and was much calmer today than he was 
yesterday evening.  That being said the continued sensitivity 
of the subject is reflected by the statements of concern 
released today by both MFA and TGS.  END COMMENT. 
 
5. (U) BAGHDAD MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. 
 
EDELMAN