AMBASSADOR, INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS PKK, IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005584

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2008
TAGS: PGOV PREL CASC PHUM IZ TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR, INTERIOR MINISTER DISCUSS PKK, IRAQI
POLICE TRAINING


REF: ANKARA 4499


Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman; reasons 1.5 b and d.



1. (C) Summary: In a September 2 introductory meeting with
the Ambassador, Interior Minister Aksu called on the U.S. to
take action against the PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq and
offered training for Iraqi police. The Ambassador said the
USG and GOT will soon discuss an approach to the PKK/KADEK
problem. The Ambassador thanked Aksu for his cooperation
with the Embassy on security, and emphasized the importance
of protecting cruise ships in Turkish ports. He urged
continued GOT progress on combating human trafficking and
resolving child abduction cases, and offered Embassy support.
End Summary.


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Aksu: US Must take Action Against PKK
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2. (C) Noting that the PKK/KADEK is on the USG list of
terrorist organizations, Aksu said the GOT expects the U.S.
to take "the necessary actions" against the 4,500-5,000
PKK/KADEK fighters in northern Iraq. The GOT has adopted a
Reintegration Law to encourage militants to surrender
(reftel),but top PKK/KADEK leaders, who are excluded from
the benefits of the law, are undermining the effort. The
organization's leaders have attacked Turkish military and
police units, and have prevented militants from learning
about the law. It is now the responsibility of the U.S., he
argued, to take action. The Ambassador noted that President
Bush has stated unequivocally the need to eliminate the
threat of terror emanating from Iraq, and that includes
PKK/KADEK. The U.S. military has its hands full in Iraq
right now and has not developed a plan for dealing with the
PKK/KADEK. The USG will be contacting GOT officials in the
coming weeks to discuss how to approach the problem. One
element might be an information campaign to make sure
militants are aware of the Reintegration Law. At the same
time, the U.S. will continue to press European countries to
recognize KADEK as a terrorist organization -- the PKK with a
different name -- and outlaw its fundraising efforts.


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GOT Offers Iraqi Police Training
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3. (C) Aksu said he has seen media reports that the U.S. has
contacted a number of countries to ask whether they could
provide training for Iraqi police. Turkey, which has not
been contacted, is ready and able to provide such training.
The GOT operates police training centers in 26 provinces and
has trained officers from 28 countries. UN officials have
praised Turkish police courses, he said. The Ambassador
undertook to convey the GOT's interest in providing training
to Washington and Baghdad.


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Security for Embassy, Cruise Ships
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4. (C) The Ambassador thanked Aksu for his leadership in
ensuring close cooperation between the Embassy and Interior
Ministry on security, both for the Embassy community and
official visitors. Security is a very important issue for
the Embassy, especially given the tensions related to the war
in Iraq and its aftermath. Embassy security would be
enhanced if police conducted random car searches on Paris
Caddesi, which borders the Embassy. There would be some
inconvenience to drivers, but random searches would provide a
deterrent to anyone considering a car bomb attack. We are
also concerned about indications that terrorists are focusing
on "soft targets." Noting that Princess Cruise Lines has
resumed calls to Turkish ports, he said these cruise ships,
carrying American tourists, could be targeted. The Embassy
is eager to work with the GOT to prevent an attack. Aksu
replied that Turkish security forces will continue to take
all necessary measures to protect the Embassy and tourists.
He said he gave instructions to the Coast Guard and Jandarma
before the return of the cruise ships to enhance security.
He will instruct the Ankara Security Director to meet with
Embassy security officials to discuss these issues.


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Anti-Trafficking Efforts
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5. (U) The Ambassador said he is aware of the recent GOT
efforts to combat trafficking in persons (TIP). The
challenge for the next year will be to fully implement the
new measures. We recommend that the GOT enhance its anti-TIP
efforts by: launching a public relations campaign to raise
awareness of TIP; creating shelters for TIP victims;
establishing a repatriation program for victims; and
providing data on arrests and prosecutions under anti-TIP
legislation. Aksu responded that trafficking is an important
issue for the GOT, receiving close attention. Law
enforcement efforts to combat the crime are having an effect,
reflected in a steady decline in the number of illegal
workers arrested over the last several years.


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Child Abduction
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6. (U) The Ambassador thanked Aksu for his assistance in
locating missing children and parents in a number of child
abduction cases involving Amcits. We look forward to
continued cooperation with Aksu on resolving these tragic
cases. We would be grateful if Interior Ministry officials
could update the Embassy on the efforts to locate the missing
child in the Sensoy child abduction case. Aksu said he would
instruct the Ankara Security Director and the national
Security Directorate General to designate points of contact
for the Embassy on abduction cases. (Note: Police officials
informed the Consular Section September 3 that they had
"narrowed" the search for the missing child in the Sensoy
case. End Note).



7. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.






EDELMAN