Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA618
2003-01-24 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

CONTINUING TURKISH CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED USG-PKK

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINS TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000618 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS TU
SUBJECT: CONTINUING TURKISH CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED USG-PKK
TIES

REF: ANKARA 549


(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.5 (b,d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000618

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS TU
SUBJECT: CONTINUING TURKISH CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED USG-PKK
TIES

REF: ANKARA 549


(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.5 (b,d).



1. (U) Action request--para 5.



2. (U) Jan. 24 MFA DDG for anti-terrorism Asya called us in
to discuss Turkish concerns that the USG has links with, and
is supporting, PKK/KADEK.



3. (C) Handing over copies of Embassy's and Department
spokesman's denials of any USG-PKK link and recalling
Ambassador's Jan. 23 statement on NTV (reftel),we reiterated
our call for an official Turkish denial of this story, which
claims to be supported by information from official sources.



4. (C) Asya undertook to pass our request up the chain. He
then said that what is bothering the Turkish General Staff
(Asya also strongly intimated that this TGS concern is
driving the current press campaign) are reported contacts
with PKK reps by former U.S. Ambassador Peter Galbraith in
the context of pro-Kurdish work by a Norwegian NGO. Asya
said that, at TGS request the MFA had looked into the matter
and concluded that, given Galbraith's status as a retired
ambassador he has no official connection with the USG.
However, Asya said, the TGS remains convinced that Galbraith
has an official USG connection.



5. (C) Action request: that the Department call in Turkish
Ambassador Logoglu at an appropriate senior level and,
confirming that -- as we understand -- Galbraith has no
official (including contract) connection with any agency of
the USG, reiterate (1) USG concern at the press campaign of
assertions of USG-PKK collaboration against Turkish interests
based on reported TGS and intelligence service reports; and
(2) that Turks issue a strong official denial of the story.
PEARSON