US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6369

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006369 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2029 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, IZ, TU 
SUBJECT: GOT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO JANUARY ELECTIONS IN 
IRAQ 
 
REF: BAGHDAD 1707 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) MFA Middle East Deputy Director General Safak Gokturk 
told PolMilCouns that Iraq's State Minister for Provincial 
Affairs Wael Abdul Latif and Deputy Foreign Minister Bayati 
delivered an oral message on operations in Fallujah to Prime 
Minister Erdogan at 2:00 pm Nov. 10.  Speaking shortly after 
the meeting, Gokturk said the message was "as expected," as 
the Iraqis explained that the IIG had explored every avenue 
to find a peaceful way to resolve the situation in Fallujah. 
Military action was the last resort and was necessary to 
fulfill the demands of the people of the city for law and 
order.  Gokturk said Erdogan took note of the message, saying 
that it was Ankara's expectation that all care would be taken 
to avoid civilian casualties.  He also emphasized the 
importance of holding elections on time in January with the 
participation of all Iraqis. 
 
2. (C) Iraqi Ambassador Omran told PolMilOff Nov. 10 that the 
IIG delegation explained to the PM why the IIG decided to go 
ahead with the Fallujah operation, and also told Erdogan that 
coalition and Iraqi forces have captured over 200 foreign 
fighters there, among them Syrians and Moroccans.  He added 
that Erdogan also brought up two routine Turkish/Iraqi 
bilateral issues: the second border gate and security for 
Turkish truckers.  Omran told us that the IIG delegation 
agreed that Turkey and Iraq should continue to work together 
on these issues. 
EDELMAN