Jeffrey S Collins  11/05/2007 10:02:39 AM  From  DB/Inbox:  Jeffrey S 
Collins

Cable 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L        ANKARA 02708

SIPDIS
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    ACTION: AMB
    INFO:   LEGAT GSO DEA DAO FCS FAS ECON CONS DCM POL PMA
            PA

DISSEMINATION: AMB /1
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: ECON:DEPPLER
DRAFTED: ECON:DEPPLER
CLEARED: PMA:CSIEBENTRITT, POL:ANRENZULLI

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RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 1679
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002708 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ANKARA PASS ADANA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017 
TAGS: KFPC ECON ETRD ETTC PREL EAIR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY APPROVES ECONOMIC MEASURES AGAINST NORTHERN 
IRAQ, DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION 
 
REF: ANKARA 2680 
 
Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR DALE EPPLER FOR REAONS 1.4 B AND D 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  The Turkish Council of Ministers approved a 
set of economic measures directed against the PKK and 
Northern Iraq on October 31, but did not announce what 
measures they had approved.  The GOT said November 2 that it 
has not yet implemented any of the approved economic 
measures.  Turkish Civil Aviation authorities and MFA insist 
that Turkey's airspace remains open for flights to Northern 
Iraq, despite several press reports to the contrary, but note 
that some flights have been cancelled due to licensing and 
safety issues.  Electricity exports continue, and truck 
traffic through Habur Gate remains at normal levels.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Following the Council of Ministers meeting on October 
31, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek announced that 
"military, political, diplomatic and economic measures are 
being taken simultaneously.  The targets of these measures 
are the terrorist organization and those groups which are 
supporting, aiding and abetting it."  He added that "neither 
people living on the other side of the border, nor our people 
who are earning their livings thanks to that border, should 
suffer hardship as a result of these precautions.  The 
measures we are taking, including the economic ones, will be 
in line with this sensitivity."  But he gave no specifics on 
what measures the ministers considered or approved, or on 
when they might be implemented. 
 
Civil Aviation 
----------------- 
 
¶3. (C) The Civil Aviation Directorate denied a November 2 
press report that it had notified the European Civil Aviation 
Agency that Turkey's airspace may not always be open in the 
future for flights to Northern Iraq due to heavy traffic and 
other technical reasons.  Similarly, MFA DDG for Aviation 
Basat Ozturk told us that there currently are no measures or 
orders in place restricting flights of any carriers to 
Northern Iraq.  Flights are continuing.  He said that Turkish 
firm Tarhan Towers has stopped flying temporarily while its 
new application is being reviewed.  In addition, two flights 
by foreign carriers recently cancelled because aircraft 
safety certificates were outdated, i.e., for technical/safety 
reasons.  Turkey has not yet implemented any of the economic 
sanctions discussed by the cabinet, he emphasized. 
 
Habur Gate 
-------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) As of 0900 on November 2, Habur Gate remains open 
and fully operational.  We have not received any information 
indicating that Habur is being restricted or that inspections 
are slowing traffic more than normal.  Truck traffic is 
normal, with about 800 trucks crossing in each direction each 
day. 
 
Electricity 
------------ 
 
5.(SBU) Kartet company Director Nuray Atacik told us that 
Kartet's power plant outside of Silopi, which supplies all of 
Turkey's electricity exports to Iraq, is operating normally, 
with Iraqi fuel oil still coming north to run the plant, and 
electricity still flowing south.  She noted that the plant 
could not operate if Habur Gate was closed, because the plant 
operates on a special fuel oil unavailable in Turkey in the 
quantities they need. 
 
Trade Restrictions 
---------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Turkish-Iraqi Business Council Director Ercument 
Aksoy said that he has not been informed of any proposed or 
pending controls on trade with Northern Iraq.  He doubts the 
accuracy of press reports indicating the GOT plans to cut off 
cement exports, because the major consumers of Turkish cement 
in Northern Iraq are Turkish construction companies.  Aksoy 
expects the GOT will begin to implement economic measures 
only after Prime Minister Erdogan meets with President Bush 
on November 5. 
 
 
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ 
 
WILSON