ACTION REQUEST: MOVING AHEAD WITH TRILATERAL PKK

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006808 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2014 TAGS: PTER PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: MOVING AHEAD WITH TRILATERAL PKK TALKS REF: A. STATE 201785 ¶B. BAGHDAD 1827 AND PREVIOUS ¶C. ANKARA 6675 Classified By: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman for reasons 1.4 (b),(d),and (g). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para. four. ¶2. (C) Ref a instructed Embassies Baghdad and Ankara to approach the IIG and GOT, respectively, to initiate trilateral (U.S., Turkey, Iraq) talks on a joint approach to dealing with the PKK/Kongra-Gel's continuing presence in Iraq. We understand from ref b reporting that MFA Under Secretary Biyati will represent the IIG at these talks. He SIPDIS indicated during his visit here that he was prepared to move ahead for talks on the PKK. ¶3. (C) During the DCM's Dec. 7 courtesy call on incoming MFA Director General for the Middle East Oguz Celikkol, Celikkol said that he believes these talks will take place in Ankara, but no date has been specified. He urged that the USG provide "high-level participation from Washington" for these talks. ¶4. (C) Action request for Washington and Baghdad: The absence of movement on the PKK continues to roil Turkey's perception of developments in Iraq and its relationship with the U.S. It would be timely, now that the trucking security forum is established, to move forward towards the first PKK trilateral. The Turks will see this as at least some indication that we stand by our earlier commitment. Earlier bilaterals on this subject were chaired at the EUR DAS and S/CT level. The equivalent representation from Washington as well as senior Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I representation would demonstrate our political will on this issue. End action request. ¶5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. EDELMAN