IRAQ: TURKS ALLEGE US CONTACTS WITH PKK - REQUEST

S E C R E T ANKARA 003901

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT. FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE; BAGHDAD ALSO FOR MNF-I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2029
TAGS: PTER MARR MOPS TU IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ: TURKS ALLEGE US CONTACTS WITH PKK - REQUEST
GUIDANCE TO RESPOND TO CLAIMS

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. ROBERT S. DEUTSCH, REASONS 1.4 B
AND D.


1. (U) Urgent Action Request at Para 3.


2. (S/NF) On July 8, Turkish military officials passed
Embassy via the Intelligence Fusion Cell a note (text to be
provided septel via IIR from DAO Ankara) alleging that US
officials held conversations with PKK leaders on June 17,
offered to place an area of northern Iraq under the PKK's
control, and asked to include PKK members in border guard
units in the region. The note also says that according to
PKK-front Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party (KDSP) members,
US officials knew that the KDSP was a PKK front, visited its
offices, was in constant contact with the PKK and was capable
of arresting senior PKK members, but did not intend to do so.
The note further alleges that up to 300 PKK members had been
taken to Mosul by US soldiers for training. And finally, it
states that US officials invited the KDSP to July's National
Conference in Baghdad.


3. (S/NF) The charges made are extremely serious and could be
explosive in Turkey if publicized. ACTION REQUEST: Embassy
urgently requests guidance to respond to the contents of
septel note.


4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
DEUTSCH