VZCZCXYZ0041
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHAK #6076/01 2931443
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201443Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9560
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKDAI/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//JSJ3// PRIORITY
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY
RUEUITH/TLO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
UNCLAS ANKARA 006076
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MAS PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: FY07 SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL TO REFURBISH
TURKISH UAVS
REF: STATE 134152
1. (SBU) Turkey's two-plus decade long battle against the PKK
(Kurdistan Workers Party) terrorist organization intensified
significantly in 2006 following a steady increase in attacks
since the PKK ended a five-year cease-fire in 2004. Over 600
Turkish civilians and soldiers and foreigners lost their
lives in PKK-related attacks during the first half of this
year alone, adding to the more than 37,000 who have died
since attacks began in the 1980's. As visuals of grieving
families at the funerals of Turkish soldiers began to
dominate the news coverage, public outrage increased along
with the rhetoric of government and military officials about
the country's right to defend itself against attacks, many of
which are emanating from northern Iraq.
2. (SBU) The US has pledged to combat terrorism in all forms
wherever it exists. In a demonstration of our commitmet to
work with Turkey to end the PKK attacks oming from northern
Iraq, Gen (ret) Joseph Ralston was appointed as the US
Special Envoy to Counter the PKK. Ralston is leading US
efforts to bring Turkey and Iraq together to prevent the PKK
from using northern Iraq as a terrorist base. The Section
1206 program would provide a tool for the USG in general, and
Gen. Ralston in particular, to support Turkey's fight against
the thousands of PKK terrorists that have entered Turkey and
to monitor the country's border with Iraq to prevent further
incursions. Turkey has three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
in its inventory in various states of disrepair. If
refurbished and maintained, these UAVs could provide eyes for
the military to monitor border areas in southeastern Turkey
from a safe distance where there is a high PKK presence. The
information provided by the UAVs could help to prevent many
deaths by allowing the Turkish military to proceed with
greater vigilance in areas where the PKK could be preparing
attacks or planting IEDs.
3. (SBU) Following is an $8.5M proposal for an upgrade,
maintenance and training program for the three Turkish
US-origin UAVs. This program has the full backing of the
mission country team. The U.S. European Command has approved
this proposal for submission to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for
consideration.
4. (SBU) Begin Program Justification:
A. Program Name: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), ECJ4
(U) Goal: Assist Turkey's efforts to monitor its eastern and
southeastern borders as well as the disruption of PKK
terrorist activities through detection of various critical
resources by UAVs. US defense industry, specifically US
General Atomics, would participate.
(U) SCG Objectives: C5 - Work with partner to improve the
collective ability to interdict the movement of WMD, their
delivery systems, and related materials. D2 - Build the
capacity of allies and partners to disrupt and attack
terrorist networks.
(U) Target Country: Turkey
(U) Total Cost: $8.5M
B. Program Classification: UAV system and national objective
is UNCLASS, however, the PKK issue is SENSITIVE.
C. Target Country/Countries: Turkey
D. Description of the Situation: Turkey, the second largest
military in NATO after the US, is a staunch ally in GWOT. In
addition to commanding ISAF three times, including its
current joint command of ISAF-Central with France and Italy -
and the planned November 2006 establishment of its first PRT
in Afghanistan -- Turkey provides training to Iraqi security
forces and diplomats bilaterally and contributes personnel to
NTM-I. It has committed naval assets and 900 troops to
UNIFIL in Lebanon. At the same time, the government is
battling a difficult war against the PKK at home. Since
lifting its unilateral ceasefire in May 2004, the PKK and its
affiliates have significantly stepped up attacks against
Turkish security forces in the southeast and targeted
civilians in tourist areas along the Aegean and Mediterranean
coasts. According to the GOT, over 500 civilians have been
killed in 2006 alone, a ten-fold increase since 2002, along
with 91 security forces. Scores more have been wounded. The
Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) - affiliated with the PKK - has
warned tourists to stay away from Turkey. Tourism, which had
seen significant growth over the past few years and was
expected to set a new record this year, was down more than 5%
from 2005, due in part to the increased bombings.
From President Bush on down, the US has pledged to work with
Turkey to combat this terrorist threat. The US has
designated the PKK as a terrorist organization and obtained
EU agreement to do the same. We are working with European
governments to stop the financial and logistical support for
the PKK. We are sharing intelligence on PKK activities in
northern Iraq. But the attacks emanating from northern Iraq
against Turkey's security forces and, increasingly, against
its civilian population, continue to rise. On September 12,
2006, a bomb exploded in a park in the southeastern city of
Diyarbakir, killing 10, including 7 children, and wounding
17. Attacks on police stations and security forces are a
regular occurrence. Televised images of the funerals of
Turkish soldiers play out in the living rooms of Turkish
homes on a daily basis, increasing the public outrage and
government frustration on its inability to stop the
bloodshed, and at the US for not following through on what it
perceives as a pledge to take decisive action.
During visits to Turkey in 2005 and 2006, Secretary Rice
renewed the USG's commitment to assist Turkey to eliminate
the PKK terrorist threat to the country. On August 28, the
US appointed General (ret) Joseph Ralston as the US Special
Envoy to Counter PKK Terrorism, demonstrating our commitment
to eliminate the PKK terrorist threat to Turkey emanating
from northern Iraq. In his initial visit to Turkey to
discuss the issue, General Ralston pledged that every tool
will be considered; nothing is off the table.
One of the most critical tools to protect Turkish security
forces and to prevent the infiltration of PKK terrorists from
crossing into Turkey from Iraq is information. Turkey's UAVs
provide a critical source of near real-time information that
can help to prevent the deaths of Turkish security forces and
civilians alike.
E. Theory of Victory: Assist Turkey in its efforts to
monitor its eastern and southeastern borders as well as the
disruption of PKK terrorist activities through detection of
various critical resources through the use of UAVs.
F. Program Justification:
Does this program involve foreign national armed forces or
National Guard units? Yes, Turkish Land Forces.
Is this a new program start or the continuation of a program
already underway? New
Is this program already being funded or partially funded? No
Are there other authorities and funds that can be used to
support this program? No
Is the program a one-time investment or is 1206 funding
requested as a bridge for a multi-year effort to eventually
be funded through foreign military financing (FMF)? One time
investment at this point until overwhelming success provides
justification for continued investment in FY08.
If it is a bridge to FMF, when will that FMF become
available? Unknown.
Has this program been proposed before? No
Do you plan to employ Section 1207 authority in support of
this proposal? No
Does this program comply with Congressional limitations on US
security and foreign assistance? Yes
Does this program require a planning and execution order? No
How do you assess the risk that forces we are training may
use their new capabilities for purposes inimical to US
interests? The UAVs will be used by TLFC within Turkey air
space to detect PKK forces crossing over into Turkey from
Iraq and PKK forces already in Turkey. UAVs are not
offensive weapons.
What actions will be taken to mitigate this risk? Third
party agreement will be part of the LOA.
G. Program Plan: List specific activities proposed.
Provide a maintenance, upgrade and training package to three
aging Unmanned Aerial Vehicles currently in the TLFC
inventory. TLFC acquired the US General Atomics UAVs in the
early 90s and did not maintain the UAVs or training for pilot
certification. TLFC uses the UAV to improve their ability to
interdict the movement of WMD, their delivery systems, and
related materials. Build the capacity of TLFC to disrupt and
attack terrorist PKK networks as PKK cross over the Turkish
border from Iraq.
Measures of effectiveness: Success in limiting the damage
caused to TLFC personnel, border towns, and collateral damage
to Turkish civilians.
If training is involved, who will conduct the training? Both
defense contractors and US military.
What equipment will be procured? UAV maintenance and
training update.
Can all contracts by obligated by SEP 2006, SEP 2007? Yes,
by SEP 2007.
H. Program Time frame
Proposed start and end dates: Oct 06 - Sep 07
Point at which this program will transition from 1206 funding
to funding through normal budget cycle: Unknown at this time.
I. Estimated Cost: $8.5M
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON