DEMARCHE REQUEST: KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION

S E C R E T ANKARA 006865 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2015 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL IZ PKK SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION PARTY REF: A. STATE 205566 (NOTAL) ¶B. BAGHDAD 4626 (NOTAL) Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JANICE G. WEINER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (S) Poloff delivered ref a demarche to MFA Iraq Department Head Avni Botsali on November 10. Botsali said the MFA had already issued instructions to its Baghdad embassy to engage the IECI on the issue of PKK front parties and planned to do so as well with the Iraqi embassy in Ankara. In terms of providing evidence on the Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party (PCDK) and other potential PKK fronts, Botsali promised to get back to us. He later referred us to the MFA Directorate General for Security Affairs. ¶2. (S) Poloff followed up November 21 with MFA Security Affairs Deputy DG Avni Bicakli, who told us an interagency group was still developing information on the PCDK. Noting we had heard the GOT was concerned about two parties registered for the December 15 elections in Iraq, Poloff asked if the GOT had identified the second party. Bicakli immediately spoke by telephone with a contact in the Turkish National Intelligence Service (TNIO),who confirmed that the TNIO had been following a certain "Democratic Union Party" (acronym PYD) but it appears this party has not/not registered for the elections. Hence, the GOT remains focused on the PCDK. ¶3. (S) Reiterating ref a points, Poloff told Bicakli it is crucial that the GOT quickly furnish evidence linking the PCDK to the PKK directly to the IECI in Baghdad; we would try to assist where possible. Bicakli understood, expressed appreciation for U.S. efforts on this, and promised to remain in touch. MCELDOWNEY