TURKS EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER WASHINGTON POST STORY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003418

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015
TAGS: PREL PINS MOPS IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKS EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER WASHINGTON POST STORY


Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 3.


2. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for the Middle East Safak
Gokturk raised with PolMilCouns on June 15 a story in the
Washington Post that day reportedly based on a cable from REO
Kirkuk on Kurdish authorities "extra-judicial detentions" and
secret transfers of Arab and Turkmen detainees to Irbil and

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Suleymania. Gokturk, under instructions from the Prime
Ministry, noted that Ankara took such reports "very seriously
at the highest levels." Turkey had been hearing sketchy,
similar reports. According to some of these, families are
too intimidated to even inquire about detainees for fear of
the same fate befalling them. He requested that the Kurds be
reminded that such activity is unacceptable and should stop.
He said he had been trying to reach the Iraqi Ambassador to
deliver the same message, but he was busy with a visiting
delegation and would not be able to receive the message until
June 16.


3. (C) Action Request: Gokturk confided that the Prime
Ministry had asked MFA "what are you doing" about the
allegations in the article, and all MFA really could do was
raise it with the USG and the ITG. We have separately
requested press guidance to respond to numerous inquiries we
are receiving from the press. Now, we also request guidance
to respond to the GOT demarche.


4. (U) Iraq posts minimize considered.
EDELMAN