TERRORIST FINANCING:ANKARA:APPROACH TO EU ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004021

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EB/ESC/TFS (EGOFF)
S/CT (TNAVRATIL)
NSC (MRUPPERT)
TREASURY (JZARATE)
OFAC DIRECTOR (RNEWCOMB)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER EFIN ETTC TU
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCING:ANKARA:APPROACH TO EU ON
PKK/KADEK/KONGRA GEL TERRORIST FINANCING ACTIVITIES

REF: SECSTATE 144223

Classified By: A/DCM JAMES MOORE. REASONS: 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) On 8 July, Econ Counselor delivered ref demarche to
MFA Research and Intelligence DDG Hakan Okcal, who is
responsible for both PKK and terrorist financing issues.
Okcal described the USG intervention with EU countries as
furthering the USG/GOT common strategy, and said that it was
"very helpful." Okcal also noted that PKK fundraising efforts
in Europe were "substantial"; that GOT has long been asking
EU countries to prevent PKK fundraising; and that GOT has
increased the pressure on those governments since 9/11.


2. (C) Immediately following the meeting with Okcal, Econ
Counselor met with MFA Americas Desk DDG Suna Ilicak, who
likewise welcomed the USG intervention. Ilicak emphasized,
however, that while GOT greatly appreciated the support
provided by USG against PKK over the years, direct action
against the PKK in northern Iraq was now needed.


3. (C) On 13 July, PolMil Counselor shared ref demarche with
TGS/J5 Strategy Chief MGen Cengiz Arslan. Arslan expressed
appreciation for the effort with the EU, but lamented that it
was not more. He recalled D/CHOD Gen Ilker Basbug,s
comments at his 8 July press conference at which he said that
the Turkish military was satisfied with the USG,s attitude
toward the PKK, but that the U.S. had not met Turkey,s
expectations regarding action against PKK terrorists in Iraq.
While Arslan would have preferred that the US act against
terrorists in Iraq, he acknowledged that the effort with the
EU was useful.
DEUTSCH