EUCOM/CENTCOM OFFER TURKS HELP WITH PKK; ASK FOR

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005346 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2030 TAGS: PTER MARR PREL TU IZ PKK SUBJECT: EUCOM/CENTCOM OFFER TURKS HELP WITH PKK; ASK FOR PATIENCE Classified By: Charge Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/rel UK and AUS) Summary: At talks with EUCOM Commander Gen James Jones and CENTCOM Deputy Commander Lt.Gen. Lance Smith on Sept. 8-9, TGS Chief GEN Hilmi Ozkok indicated that Turkish cross border operations targeting the PKK in northern Iraq were not imminent, but that Turkish patience was "almost" exhausted and Turkey wanted a solution before reaching that point. He asked for the US to take some small steps that could be touted to the Turkish public, such as arresting PKK leaders, stopping PKK and its front organizations' political activities "that incite Turkish public opinion," or pressuring the Iraqi Kurds to crack down on the PKK in their regions. Our generals urged continued patience, emphasizing the overarching need to get Iraq right, and encouraged greater efforts by TGS to improve public opinion in Turkey. They offered specific assistance to help the Turks fight the PKK in Turkey, while the Charge pointed to US initiatives to tackle PKK media and financing streams in Europe. While the MFA participant in the talks believed the Turkish military and public were disappointed because a dramatic new initiative against the PKK in Iraq was not announced, the visit by leaders of the two combatant commands demonstrated the USG's commitment to Turkey and in helping it with the PKK terrorist threat. Embassy Ankara appreciates the time and energy put into preparations for the visit by EUCOM and CENTCOM. End summary. ¶2. (S/rel UK and AUS) EUCOM Commander Gen James Jones and CENTCOM Deputy Commander Lt.Gen. Lance Smith, together with members of the staff of the two commands, visited Ankara Sept. 8-9. Gen Jones signed an MOU on US support to the Turkish military's NATO Center of Excellence - Defense Against Terrorism on Sept. 8. Both generals, their senior staff and the Charge participated in a TGS-hosted dinner Sept. 8 and a meeting with the TGS leadership the morning of Sept. 9. Staff presented briefings afterwards. Before the meeting and briefings, Generals Jones and Smith had a private breakfast with TGS Chief GEN Hilmi Ozkok, Deputy Chief GEN Isik Kosaner, and TGS/J3 LTG Bekir Kalyoncu. Gen Jones had a brief press encounter following the talks. -------------- Senior Staff Meeting, Sept. 9 -------------- ¶3. (S/rel UK and AUS) Ozkok began the Sept. 9 restricted meeting with senior staff by explaining how TGS sees the PKK threat it faces, noting that this terrorist organization is highly hierarchical, with politician and military wings that it uses in a coordinated fashion with the goal of creating a separate Kurdish state out of Turkey's southeast region and perhaps territory of neighboring states. The organization's attacks have increased the cost of investment in Turkey's poor SE region, just as its recent targeting of tourist areas is intended to damage that important sector to the Turkish economy. The PKK has increased its terrorist activities on the eve of Turkey's EU accession negotiations with the aim of derailing those talks. "It is important to act (against the PKK) before our patience is exhausted; we are almost there," he warned. ¶4. (S/rel UK and AUS) Ozkok expressed appreciation for what the US has done to help Turkey with this problem, but after a couple of years of talk, no action to stop PKK activities in Iraq had yet been taken, he claimed. Turkey has contributed significantly in the Global War On Terrorism, such as its contributions to and cooperation with ISAF and OEF in Afghanistan, Operation Active Endeavor in the Med, etc. To be successful in GWOT, we "shouldn't differentiate among terrorists," he said. Even on intelligence sharing (comment: our most robust area of cooperation),Turkey would like information passed more quickly. ¶5. (S/rel UK and AUS) In northern Iraq, the PKK enjoys freedom of movement, trains its fighters, receives support from "local Kurdish groups" (read: KDP and PUK),maintains it logistics, learns new tactics (particularly in the area of IEDs),conducts political activities (primarily through the KDSP which is a registered party in Iraq),operates TV and radio outlets, and acquires equipment and explosives, according to Ozkok. UNSCR 1373 and 1546 require international cooperation to fight terrorism, but while Turkey is taking measures to secure its border with Iraq, the Iraqi side needs to be secured. If not by the US, then the ITG should act. If not, TGS might need to take the initiative as public pressure to act is growing. Art. 51 of the UN Charter provides for the right of hot pursuit, but "we want a solution before reaching that point," he declared. "We want to reverse the situation with your help." Specifically, Ozkok suggested the following "steps:" -- Pressure the Kurds, especially the KDP, to cut off their contact, encouragement and support of the PKK and to struggle against the terrorists. -- Take steps to stop the PKK's political activities that inflame public opinion in Turkey (e.g., close front offices, prevent their fronts from participating in the Iraqi political process). -- Apprehend and hand over PKK leaders. -- Cut the PKK freedom of movement and logistics lines. -- Prevent criminal activity that funds the PKK. -- Close Makhmour refugee camp. -- Get the word out to the US media that the PKK does not represent Kurds, but is a terrorist organization that uses IEDs that kill indiscriminately ("are a crime against humanity"). -- Provide real-time intelligence. -- Facilitate coordination between border units on both sides of the border (but the Iraqi side should not be only Kurdish units) -- Consider training Iraqi Border Patrol personnel in Turkey "What you do is up to you," he concluded. ¶6. (S/rel UK and AUS) The Charge opened for the US side by reviewing the US record of cooperation on the PKK and emphasizing the importance for both countries of success in Iraq. As part of our effort to succeed in Iraq, it was important to engage the ITG on this and other issues so the Iraqi government could develop into a real counterpart for the long-term. Gen Jones affirmed that EUCOM was anxious to continue progress on rebuilding bilateral mil-mil ties through honest exchanges. He acknowledged that both sides needed to work at improving public opinion, citing recent polling data showing many people in Turkey do not see the US as a friend. He encouraged TGS to put out more timely information on what Turkey and the US are doing together to help turn around public attitudes. ¶7. (S/rel UK and AUS) Lt.Gen. Smith thanked Ozkok for his presentation. He noted that the focus of Coalition and Iraqi forces was on Zarqawi and the AIF, but allowed that the situation in the north could not be ignored. To that end, he had been in Baghdad the previous week talking to MNF-I and MNC-I leadership and indicated that General Abizaid had previously spoken with Kurdish leaders about the need to take control of the border. A successful constitution process would be key, he stated, in keeping Iraq united. After election of a government with a four-year term, many issues could be addressed more aggressively. For that reason, Turkey-Iraq relations were important, and the US was prepared to facilitate contacts with the right interlocutors. He counseled patience as Iraqi institutions build their capacity to address the relevant issues. Controlling the borders, for example, was really an issue of capacity. (The Charge recalled that the President had asked PM Erdogan for Turkey's help in getting the Syrians to do more to control its border with Iraq.) The focus was currently on the Syrian border and creating a professional border force was a time consuming process, General Smith continued, but it was coming along. He expressed appreciation for Turkey's support for the process and again asked for patience. ¶8. (S/rel UK and AUS) Ozkok agreed that Turkey needed to work with Iraq, but he expressed frustration at with the Iraqis' attitude and apparent ineffectiveness. The Charge noted that the USG has consistently told the Iraqis that they have no better neighbor or partner than democratic Turkey with its free market economy. Ozkok appreciated the point, observing that that also made Turkey a valuable partner of the US in the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENAI). -------------- EUCOM, CENTCOM, TGS Briefings -------------- ¶9. (S/rel UK and AUS) Opening remarks at the session with staff by Ozkok, the Charge, Gen Jones and Lt.Gen. Smith echoed their remarks in the more restricted senior staff meeting (above). ¶10. (S/rel UK and AUS) Briefing for EUCOM, J5 Maj. Gen. Scott Gration emphasized the strong overall cooperation in security policy between Turkey and United States, and noted EUCOM's desire to assist in efforts against the PKK in the command's AOR. Specifically, EUCOM is prepared to offer "surge" (more of it and in almost real-time) intelligence support on PKK activities/locations in Turkey, based on Turkish requests related to specific operations. Additionally, EUCOM is prepared to offer its assets for aerial surveillance on the Turkish side of the border. ¶11. (S/rel UK and AUS) CENTCOM Deputy J5 BG Mark Kimmitt briefed on MNF-I's fragmentary order (FRAGO) to detain PKK terrorists if they are captured in the course of normal operations, and the placement of three PKK high-value individuals (HVIs) on MNF-I's watch list. CENTCOM is willing to expand this HVI list. Additionally, last month F16s carried out two intelligence surveillance reconnaissance missions over PKK camps in northern Iraq; CENTCOM is prepared to continue these missions and hand over intelligence gleaned from them to Turkey. Finally, the command offered to facilitate Turkey-Iraq military contacts, and to explore with both sides the possibility of joint Turkish-Iraqi border patrols. Lt.Gen. Smith emphasized that in terms of the PKK the problem was not our intent, but our capacity. ¶12. (S/rel UK and AUS) TGS's briefer repeated Turkey's analysis of the PKK's camps in Qandil Mountain and along the Turkish border. The briefing emphasized--though with no corroboration--links between the PKK and the main Iraqi Kurdish political parties (KDP and PUK). The Turks also claimed that the PKK cooperates with AIF, such as Al Qaeda Iraq (Zarqawi) and Ansar al-Sunnah. ¶13. (S/rel UK and AUS) Ozkok remarked that if the U.S. were to press Iraqi Kurdish leaders to curtail the PKK's activities, "this will help us significantly." He quickly added that he hoped the U.S. would do more against the PKK in Iraq when we are able to do so. He asserted that there is no question that U.S. intentions are positive, and concluded that the result of the meeting was "our common understanding that the time is approaching to do more." -------------- Comment: Kicking the Can Down the Road -------------- ¶14. (S/rel UK and AUS) Press coverage has, to date, been factual (thanks in large part to Gen Jones' brief meeting with the press following the talks) and muted (due to a continuing effort by the GOT to dampen public expectations for immediate US action). MFA Security Affairs Director General Hayati Guven, who participating in the briefings, told polmilcouns and polmiloff afterward that he expected TGS (and the public) was disappointed that the US had not offered any specific step against the PKK in northern Iraq. He, like his military colleagues, expressed appreciation for intel and other cooperation, but argued that something was necessary that could be publicly touted in order to turn around public opinion against the US for lack of action against the PKK in Iraq. ¶15. (S/rel UK and AUS) Comment: Most Turkish participants in the talks appreciated the visit of the CENTCOM and EUCOM delegations as a demonstration of the USG's commitment to Turkey, even if they were disappointed that no measures to disrupt the PKK in Iraq were agreed. EUCOM and CENTCOM's offers of assistance, whether or not they are ultimately accepted, further demonstrate that the USG is prepared to do what it can within its means and capabilities. We expect this view will be reflected in media commentary as the military backgrounds the press. We appreciate the tremendous effort that went into making this visit happen at both CENTCOM and EUCOM. MCELDOWNEY