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