IRAQ: TGS DEPUTY J-3 REPORTS KONGRA-GEL FRONT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001317 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR S/CT, EUR/SE AND NEA/NGA; BAGHDAD ALSO FOR CJTF-7 E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2014 TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS TU IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ: TGS DEPUTY J-3 REPORTS KONGRA-GEL FRONT KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION PARTY PLANNING MARCH 16 RALLY, ASKS U.S. TO PREVENT IT, CLOSE KDSP OFFICES (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch. Reasons 1.4 (a) and (b). ¶1. (C) In a March 1 meeting between the Turkish General Staff (TGS) Deputy J-3, MG Kalyoncu, and Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation Turkey, MG Peterson, MG Kalyoncu made the following points: --The Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party, the political front for the PKK/Kogra-Gel, has opened twenty offices (eight PKK political offices in Kirkuk alone) in Northern Iraq. MG Kalyoncu questioned why the U.S., which has sovereign responsibility for Iraq, would allow a terrorist organization to maintain offices throughout the country. MG Kalyoncu said the political wing of the PKK was on the rise and intended to exploit the situation in Iraq in order to eventually become a major political player in the country. MG Kalyoncu hoped the U.S. would take action to close these offices. --MG Kalyoncu claimed that the Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party intended to hold a rally in Kirkuk on March 16. He asked that the U.S. intervene to prevent the rally. --MG Kalyoncu noted that the TGS D/CHOD General Basbug, will expect an update on U.S. operational planning against PKK/Kongra-Gel elements in northern Iraq during his upcoming counterpart visit to the United States later in March. ¶2. (C) Action request. Post requests that the Department and CPA work with appropriate authorities to prevent the rally planned for March 16 in Kirkuk and consider taking action against political offices known to be supporting PKK terrorist planning/logistics/operations. ¶3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. EDELMAN