US embassy cable - 05ANKARA920

S E C R E T ANKARA 000920 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: TURKS REQUEST EMERGENCY HELO FLIGHTS AUTHORIZATION 
FROM IIG 
 
REF: ANKARA 499 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (S) MFA Middle East/South Asia Director General Oguz 
Celikkol informed the DCM on February 16 that the Turkish 
Embassy in Baghdad had formally requested from the Iraqi 
Interim Government authorization to fly helicopters into 
northern Iraq for emergency extractions and personnel 
rotations.  The request was transmitted by diplomatic note 
and followed up in meetings with the Iraqi MFA DG for 
Neighboring Countries Al-Abassi as well as Director of 
Protocol Tabikh.  Tabikh reportedly undertook to work with 
MOD to develop a coordinated response.  Celikkol also said 
that his embassy in Baghdad had been in touch with ours. 
 
2. (S) Comment: The December 17 loss of five Turkish 
policemen in an attack in Mosul underscored for the Turkish 
General Staff (TGS) and the GOT the vulnerability of their 
personnel in Iraq.  Turkey's effort to coordinate a rapid 
extraction capability is preferable to unilateral Turkish 
action and provides an opportunity for us to help define the 
parameters of such missions.  As reported reftel, we 
understand MNF-I is prepared to engage the Turks on this 
subject once Iraqi authorities agree to the concept.  Now 
that the Turks have made the request to the Iraqis, we hope 
the USG might find opportunities to encourage a speedy 
decision.  End comment. 
 
3. (U) Baghdad and REOs minimize considered. 
EDELMAN