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