Cablegate: Third Country Transfer: Additional Information

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

031128Z Jun 05

UNCLAS ANKARA 003127

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EU/SE AND PM/RSAT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR IT TU
SUBJECT: THIRD COUNTRY TRANSFER: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REGARDING GOT REQUEST TO TRAIN ITALIAN AIR FORCE PILOTS

REF: A. 04 ANKARA 6911

B. 04 ANKARA 7063

1. This is an action request. See Paragraph 5.

2. The Embassy received on May 27 a diplomatic note
responding to a USG request for detailed syllabus information
on Turkey's proposed Italian F-16 pilot training program for
consideration in evaluating Turkey's corresponding Third
Country Transfer request.

3. Begin text of MFA note no. ALGY/2005-96:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America and with reference to the Latter's Note no. 265
dated 25 February 2005, regarding F-16 training for Italian
pilots, has the honor to present herewith the study prepared
by the Turkish General Staff in response to the request of
the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force/International
Affairs-Weapons.

The Ministry would kindly request the assistance of the
relevant US authorities to expedite the permission procedures
for the training of Italian pilots with F-16's.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the United States of America the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Ankara, 26 May, 2005

End Text.

4. Enclosed with the diplomatic note is a detailed syllabus
of the training including flight, simulator and academic
program descriptions, and expendables/range requirements
summaries. Post will fax the syllabus information to the
Office of the Secretary of Defense/International Affairs
Turkey Desk and to State PM/RSAT.

5. Action request: The proposed training was scheduled to
begin in May 2005 but was postponed pending USG approval of
the Third Country Transfer request. Post requests a status
update of the request and, assuming no further information is
required, urges that the request be expeditiously processed.
EDELMAN

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