BRIEFING THE TURKS ON USG FOLLOW-UP WITH EU

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007791

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2013
TAGS: PREL PTER EFIN ETTC TU
SUBJECT: BRIEFING THE TURKS ON USG FOLLOW-UP WITH EU
REGARDING TERRORIST DESIGNATION OF KADEK/KONGRA GEL


REF: STATE 344619


(U) Classified by Polcouns John Kunstadter; reasons: 1.5
(b,d).



1. (C) On receipt of reftel text we briefed MFA DDG for
counter-terrorism Asya on new USG follow-up with EU capitals
to press for EU designation of PKK morphs KADEK and KONGRA
GEL as terrorist organizations. Thanking us for continuing
USG efforts with the EU, Asya said designation of KADEK is no
longer of interest since it has ceased to exist; the key is
for the EU to designate KONGRA GEL in a timely manner.



2. (C) Noting the USG's shoulder-to-shoulder cooperation
against the PKK for almost 20 years and at the same time the
EU's day-late-dollar-short terrorist designation for the PKK,
we asked whether Asya could explain the continuing criticism
of the U.S. and absence of more vigorous reproaches of the
EU. Initially shrugging his shoulders, Asya eventually
acknowledged with an embarrassed look that anti-U.S.
criticism emanates in part from various disgruntled sections
of the deeper parts of the Turkish State.
EDELMAN