US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD4219

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004219 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2015 
TAGS: PREF, PGOV, MOPS, IZ, TU, KCRS, Reconstruction 
SUBJECT: TURKISH ASSISTANCE TO TAL AFAR AND KIRKUK 
 
REF: ANKARA 6100 
 
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION DAVID M. SATTERFIELD FOR REASONS 
 1.4 (b) AND (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary.  If the Turks want to offer humanitarian 
assistance, and Iraq wants to take it, we have no objection. 
However, there is no urgent need for Turkish aid.  This aid 
proposal is certainly politically charged and should be 
negotiated bilaterally between the GOT and the ITG with 
minimal USG involvement.  Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I are 
ready, willing, and able to facilitate the logistical 
arrangements of any aid package the Iraqis agree to accept. 
Proposed talking points for use with the GOT in para six. 
Contact information for Baghdad POC in para seven.  End 
Summary. 
 
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(C) Turkish Aid is a Bilateral Turkish-Iraqi Matter 
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2. (C) The Turkish Government has expressed an interest in 
providing humanitarian assistance for Tal Afar and Kirkuk and 
in participating in the reconstruction of Tal Afar (reftel). 
Last month's delivery of several truckloads of Turkish 
humanitarian assistance to Tal Afar ended with recriminations 
and allegations of theft in the Turkish press.  Turkish 
activity in Kirkuk and northern Iraq has been a sore point 
with the Kurds.  With the referendum and the elections on the 
horizon, many Kurds are likely to view Turkey's offer as 
Turkish meddling in Kirkuk affairs.  Delivering the Turkish 
aid, especially to Kirkuk, will be easier if there is an 
Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) seal of approval. 
Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I should, and will, facilitate 
logistics of any assistance that Turkey and Iraq negotiate -- 
but the USG should not be involved directly in those 
bilateral discussions. 
 
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(SBU) Assistance Not Urgently Needed 
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3. (SBU) The USAID officer responsible for Office of Foreign 
Disaster Assistance (OFDA) efforts in Tal Afar visited the 
town a week ago.  He reported that the humanitarian 
assistance crisis is in its final stages.  Most people have 
returned home.  Additional resources could go into warehouses 
there, but there is no apparent pressing need for additional 
humanitarian assistance. 
 
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(SBU) Tal Afar Reconstruction: Hospital 
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4. (SBU) During his trip to Tal Afar a week ago, USAID 
officer called on the Director of the Tal Afar Hospital. 
When asked directly if the hospital needed humanitarian 
assistance, the Director said no.  He explained that the 
hospital had enough supplies, although they could use a few 
small, relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment such as 
pulse oxymeters (used by anesthesiologists).  The hospital 
has some minor structural damage; an OFDA NGO partner is 
scheduled to make the repairs. 
 
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(SBU) Tal Afar Reconstruction:  Water Project 
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5. (SBU) MNF-I plans approximately 13 water projects for Tal 
Afar, ranging from a simple water tank installation at the 
Mayor's office to major feed pipeline repairs.  The Coalition 
Forces (CF) Commander on the ground coordinates these 
projects with the ITG at either the local (Mayor's office) or 
provincial (Provincial Reconstruction and Development 
Committee) level; the local and provincial governments then 
pass them up to the national government.  The bottom line is 
that it is up to the ITG to decide whether to work with 
Turkey on specific projects that the GOT wants to fund or 
execute.  If/when the Iraqis agree to Turkish participation 
in one or more water projects for Tal Afar, CF - if requested 
- can assist the ITG in identifying the best project to which 
the GOT can contribute.  The Turkish Red Crescent provided 
humanitarian assistance last month to Tal Afar as the result 
of an arrangement negotiated directly between the two 
sovereign governments.  CF, with the full knowledge of the 
ITG, then facilitate 
d safe passage for those convoys. 
 
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(SBU) Proposed TPs for Use With Turkish Interlocutors 
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6. (SBU) Embassy Baghdad suggests the following talking 
points for use with Turkish interlocutors: 
 
-- We understand that there is no pressing need for 
additional humanitarian assistance to Tal Afar or Kirkuk 
during Ramadan. 
-- We understand that the Tal Afar hospital has no pressing 
need for assistance, although they would welcome some small, 
relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment such as pulse 
oxymeters. 
 
-- The offer of humanitarian assistance and help with 
reconstruction of Tal Afar are bilateral matters that your 
government should work out directly with the ITG. 
 
-- It is up to the ITG to decide whether to work with Turkey 
on specific projects that the GOT wants to fund or execute. 
If/when the Iraqis agree to Turkish participation in one or 
more projects for Tal Afar, Coalition Forces - if requested - 
can assist the ITG in identifying the best project to which 
the GOT can contribute. 
-- Aydin Selcen, the Turkish DCM in Baghdad, worked out 
details with the Iraqi PM's office on the most recent 
humanitarian assistance delivery from Turkey.  We would 
suggest that your government approach the ITG again through 
that channel. 
 
-- If/when your government works out a bilateral arrangement 
with the Iraqis to provide humanitarian assistance and 
participate in reconstruction of Tal Afar, Embassy Baghdad 
will facilitate logistical arrangements with MNF-I. 
 
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POC in Baghdad 
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7.  POC in Iraq on this issue is Refugee Coordinator Camille 
Hill, email: hillcd2@state.gov, cell phone (U.S. area code): 
914-822-5680. 
Khalilzad