US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6204

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: IRAQ/TURKEY: NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ON THE WAY TO 
BAGHDAD; MODALITIES FOR PKK TRILATERAL TALKS 
 
REF: A. BAGHDAD 1524 
 
     B. STATE 201785 
     C. ANKARA 6170 
     D. STATE 195610 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) We appreciate Baghdad's reporting on FonMin Zibari's 
desire for stronger ties with Turkey (ref a).  The Iraqi 
ambassador to Ankara has emphasized to us Turkey's importance 
to Iraq and its generally constructive role (as opposed to 
Iran and Syria) in working for unified, prosperous, secure 
Iraq at peace with its neighbors.  We note that both sides 
are working on their economic relationship, as evidenced by 
the first postwar meeting of the Turkey-Iraq Joint Economic 
Committee in Ankara this week (ref c).  We also learned Nov. 
2 that Turkey's new Ambassador to Baghdad, Ahmet Unal 
Cevikoz, will arrive there Nov. 15 to commence his duties. 
 
2. (C) There are already two U.S./Iraq/Turkey trilateral 
processes we are trying to get off the ground: trucker 
security (ref d) and PKK/Kongra-Gel (ref b).  Neither group 
has met to date, though we are hopeful that Amb. Cevikoz's 
arrival in Baghdad will help energize both projects, 
particularly on the PKK/Kongra-Gel.  We hope that Zibari's 
comments mean that the IIG is ready to discuss modalities for 
beginning trilateral talks on border security, including the 
PKK/Kongra-Gel, an issue of great importance to the Turks 
(especially in light of increased PKK activity in Turkey 
itself).  We stand ready to make appropriate representations 
to ensure the GOT has realistic expectations for the 
discussions. 
EDELMAN