US embassy cable - 02ANKARA8639

S E C R E T ANKARA 008639 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2012 
TAGS: OREP, ASEC, AFIN, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRAQ:  TURKS GIVE CONDITIONAL "GREEN 
LIGHT" TO CODEL BIDEN'S REQUEST 
 
REF: A) ANKARA 8638 B) STATE 241093 C) ANKARA 7563 
 
 
(U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. 
Reasons:  1.5 (B and D). 
 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  See para 4. 
 
 
2. (S) MFA DG for Middle Eastern Affairs Burcuoglu notified 
DCM November 26 that the GOT had approved Codel Biden's 
request to travel to northern Iraq via Turkey December 4-5 
(refs a-b).  However, given the Ramadan holiday (December 4 
at 1300 through December 7), Burcuoglu said that appropriate 
GOT officials would not be available to meet with the Codel 
December 6 upon its return from northern Iraq.  Burcuoglu 
stressed the importance the GOT attaches to meeting with 
visiting USG officials and Codels, and expressed hope the 
Codel could adjust its schedule to arrive in Ankara in time 
to meet with GOT officials December 4 in the morning (before 
the start of the holiday.)  Despite the busy schedule that 
day (UK FM Straw, Greek FM Papendreau, other USD 
distinguished visitors), Burcuoglu said they would arrange 
appropriate meetings. 
 
 
3. (S) Burcuoglu reminded the DCM of the preconditions 
attached to the GOT's approval for Staffdel Talwar to travel 
to northern Iraq via Turkey in October -- one-time deal and 
no publicity (ref b) -- and said these conditions still 
applied.  Recognizing that it would be difficult to avoid 
publicity given the Codel's visibility, Burcuoglu expressed 
hope that the visit could be handled in such as a way as to 
avoid negative reactions in the Turkish press and additional 
requests to travel to northern Iraq via Turkey by other US 
and European VIPs or interested individuals. 
 
 
4. (S) Action request:  Embassy requests that the Department 
advise Codel Biden of the "conditions" that the MFA attached 
to its approval for the visit (i.e. one-time deal and no 
publicity).  Embassy also asks that the Department inform the 
Codel that GOT officials would only be available December 4 
in the morning.  We believe it is important for the Senators 
to hold these meetings.  If the Codel concurs, the Embassy 
will officially request appointments with appropriate GOT 
officials. 
PEARSON