US embassy cable - 04ANKARA5997

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005997 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2009 
TAGS: MOPS, ECON, PREL, PTER, IZ, TU 
SUBJECT: SECURITY MEASURES FOR TRUCKERS IN NORTHERN IRAQ 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 5379 
 
     B. SECSTATE 195610 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch.  Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see para. 9. 
 
2.  (C)  Summary.  Turkey's MFA says truck traffic with Iraq 
is at relatively normal levels and that the GOT is taking 
pragmatic, incremental steps to improve security for Turkish 
truckers, understanding that there will not be total security 
until there is an improvement in underlying conditions in 
Iraq.  To this end, the GOT has established a center at the 
Habur Gate for providing security information to Turkish 
truckers and welcomes the U.S. idea of beginning regular 
security meetings between MNF-I, Iraqi and Turkish officers. 
The immediate task is to operationalize this process per ref 
B by identifying MNF-I and IIG personnel for regular meetings 
at Habur, Mosul, or another location agreeable to all sides. 
End Summary. 
 
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Traffic Normal/Coordination Center Established 
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3.  (C)  Turkish MFA DDG for economic affairs Sakir Fakili 
updated ECON/C October 20 on GOT actions to improve security 
for Turkish truckers in Iraq.  He said truck traffic was 
continuing at relatively normal levels despite what he called 
"ongoing strains."  At the MFA's suggestion, the GOT has 
established an "Information and Coordination Center" at the 
Habur gate.  The center's job is to collect and maintain a 
database of information about conditions in Iraq and convey 
that information to Turkish drivers.  In addition, the 
Ministry has issued a "travel advisory" recommending that 
Turkish citizens not travel to Iraq unless necessary.  (This 
advisory also highlights the importance of Turkish-Iraqi 
economic ties and notes that most of the humanitarian aid to 
Iraq goes through Turkey.  It advises truck drivers to be in 
contact with the new center at Habur.) 
 
4.  (C)  Another initiative MFA is following up on is a 
suggestion by the Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce 
(TOBB) to facilitate the issuance of temporary Iraqi license 
plates to Turkish trucks.  He noted that TOBB Chairman Rifat 
Hisarciklioglu had made this proposal (which he said is 
provided for under existing land transport agreements) in 
meetings in Baghdad in February 2004, including with CPA. 
Fakili thought the subject could be discussed at the next 
meeting of the Iraq-Turkey Joint Economic Commission, which 
will meet as soon as November. 
 
 
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Non-Paper on Operational Security for Convoys 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C)  In response to the points provided in ref B on the 
security MNF-I and the USG are providing for trucks bringing 
in humanitarian aid and coalition supplies, Fakili produced a 
non-paper containing specific observations about protection 
for convoys.  These suggestions are based on feedback the MFA 
has received from Turkish truckers and are mainly operational 
in nature.  We are transmitting the text of the non-paper 
septel. 
 
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Regular Meetings with MNF-I Welcome 
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6.  (C)  Fakili said that the ref B idea of regular meetings 
between MNF-I military commanders, Iraqi officials, and 
Turkish officials to share real-time information and 
on-the-ground threat assessments had been discussed within 
the Turkish government.  All Turkish authorities, including 
the Turkish General Staff (TGS), welcomed the idea.  Fakili 
said the GOT was prepared to offer meeting facilities at the 
Turkish border center at Habur.  Turkish participants would 
likely include two TGS reps and an MFA official.  He asked 
for U.S. help in identifying and including the appropriate 
Iraqi counterparts. 
 
7.  (C)  Fakili suggested that the meetings, at least 
initially, could be held weekly.  He hoped they the first 
meeting could be held in the first week of November.  He 
offered the Turkish MFA representative at Habur, Sefa Yucer, 
as a GOT point of contact for arranging the meetings. 
 
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Turkish Security Companies in Iraq 
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8.  (C)  Fakili said the MFA is working with private Turkish 
security companies, including a U.S.-Turkish firm called 
"Blackhawk," that could provide security to Turkish truckers 
in Iraq.  He said it was the responsibility of the companies 
to obtain Iraqi government permission to work and carry 
weapons in Iraq, but repeated an earlier request for a USG 
opinion on the viability of this option (which would involve 
armed Turkish citizens traveling in Iraq).  He added that the 
Turkish security companies were exploring setting up joint 
ventures with Iraqi companies to offset Iraqi concerns about 
foreign companies providing security in Iraq. 
 
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Comment and Action Request 
-------------------------- 
9.  (C)  Turkeys' goal is to reduce risk for Turkish drivers 
without going to the extreme of closing off what has become 
profitable business for the Turkish private sector, 
particularly drivers from the impoverished southeast.  At the 
same time, Turkish officials like Fakili have taken a 
pragmatic, non-alarmist attitude, understanding the multiple 
demands on U.S., coalition, and Iraqi forces and officials. 
Implementing the relatively low-cost actions in ref B -- most 
importantly beginning regular security meetings -- and 
responding to the inquiry on potential operations by Turkish 
security firms in Iraq would help the GOT continue to manage 
this delicate issue pragmatically.  Thus we seek addressees, 
assistance to operationalize ref B by identifying 
interlocutors from MNF-I and the IIG at Habur (preferable to 
the Turks), or another suitable location to begin regular 
meetings on trucker security issues. 
EDELMAN