United States | Wire to Turkey

[Odinson]

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

TO: Turhan Tayan, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye ( Jay )

FROM: Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America

Minister Tayan,

I am reaching out to you at the direction of the White House. I am aware, as I know that you are too, that the United States and Türkiye have taken numerous steps to not only standardize relations between our countries, but form a strong friendship between our governments. I am reaching out to you in the hopes that we can take another step. The Air Force has a vested interest in permanently stationing an Air Mobility Squadron of refueling aircraft at Incirlik Air Base. Is this something that your Ministry, and your government, would be willing to consider? In return for permitting the Air Force to operate these units out of Incirlik, the Air Force would also be willing to establish a joint long-range radar facility Türkiye for the detection of ballistic missiles and aircraft.

I look forward to hearing back from you.​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
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[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Defense < Odinson > [Sender]: Minister of National Defense, Türkiye < TTTayanMSB@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary Gate, Thank you for your email. I've been informed of the number of efforts undertaken by our respective governments to intensify our partnership and to form a strong friendship between our two countries. We previously discussed something similar to this latest proposal in my email exchange earlier this year. My Government is definitely interested in a joint long-range radar facility and would find the use of Incirlik by the U.S. to be acceptable. We would be happy to discuss this in person or through your preferred communication system. As I echoed in my previous email, please know that I, and many within our government, view the United States as Türkiye’s natural friend. Whether it be American or Turkish servicemembers, as long as I serve as Minister, I will do my utmost to ensure that our cooperation reflects the spirit of brotherhood that has long bound our nations before the crises that preceded our government. With the assurances of my highest consideration, Turhan Tayan Minister of National Defense Republic of Türkiye

 

[Odinson]

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

TO: Turhan Tayan, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye ( Jay )

FROM: Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America

Minister Tayan,

The United States is interested in establishing a long-range radar base at Incirlik as well as establishing a permanent presence of the United States Air Force there. This would not only help your government monitor potential foreign threats to your nation, but also significantly increase the military and political relationships between the United States and Türkiye. If this is something that your government would be willing to accept, then I would be more than happy to bring a memorandum of understanding to the President for his consideration. I am sure that you understand that the United States significantly values its relationship with Türkiye, and that we see exceptional advantages for both countries when it comes to military cooperation.​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
​

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[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Defense < Odinson > [Sender]: Minister of National Defense, Türkiye < TTTayanMSB@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary Gate, Thank you for your email. The opportunity to intensify our bilateral security cooperation is a top priority of my office. My Government would support a premanent U.S. presence in Incirlik Air Base. Currently the Turkish Air Defense Command operates out of the facility maintaining Türkiye's early-warning and anti-missile capabilities. I am pleased to reiterate that my Government views favorably the prospect of a permanent United States presence at Incirlik Air Base, as well as the establishment of a joint long-range radar facility. We believe such cooperation would strengthen both Türkiye's defensive capabilities and the broader strategic partnership between our countries. To that end, if it would be of interest to your Government, I would be pleased to authorize General Akın Öztürk, Commander of the Turkish Air Defense Command, to travel to Washington at a mutually convenient time to meet with his American counterparts and discuss the technical aspects of the proposed arrangements. As always, please know that Türkiye highly values its friendship with the United States and remains committed to expanding our cooperation in ways that serve the interests and security of both nations. With the assurances of my highest consideration, Turhan Tayan Minister of National Defense Republic of Türkiye

 

[Odinson]

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

TO: Turhan Tayan, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye ( Jay )

FROM: Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America

Minister Tayan,

That is excellent to hear. While General Öztürk would certainly be welcomed here, I think it may be more fitting to send representatives from the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the State Department to Türkiye. After all, this facility would be on your turf. If that is acceptable, then these are the following individuals that we will send as part of an American delegation authorized by the State Department and the Department of Defense to negotiate an agreement between the United States government and Türkiye:

Brooke West, Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
Alex Collins, Deputy Secretary of The Air Force for International Affairs
Lieutenant Colonel John Archer, Commander of the U.S. Air Force 3rd Space Wing​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense​

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