AMBASSADOR CALLS ON TURKISH INTERIOR MINISTER AKSU

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007560 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y -- MOD DOC CLASS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2015 TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PTER TU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON TURKISH INTERIOR MINISTER AKSU (U) Classified by Ambassador Ross Wilson, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador's first call on Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu December 22 focused on joint efforts against the PKK, particularly in Europe. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of assembling legal evidence against the PKK that European prosecutors could use to build court cases. The Ambassador asked Aksu to encourage police to give priority to cases of children abducted from the U.S. and to improving bilateral anti-terrorism coordination. End Summary. Interior Ministry Issues Top the Agenda -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador thanked Aksu for Turkish National Police (TNP) assistance in protecting U.S. officials and facilities in Turkey. He noted that FBI Director Mueller and D/CIA Goss recently had productive discussions in Turkey about expanding our cooperation on law enforcement and international terrorism, including the PKK. These discussions helped the U.S. understand Turkey's viewpoint and ways in which we can improve our joint anti-terror efforts. Aksu: PKK Is Our Top Priority -------------- ¶3. (C) Aksu said his priorities are combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime and money laundering. The PKK is Turkey's top priority and Aksu noted that the country's long experience against terrorists gave it special expertise and helped it quickly solve the November 2003 Istanbul bombings. ¶4. (C) Aksu called the U.S. an old friend, said relations were good and hoped security cooperation could be developed further. Turkey is fighting the PKK and other terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda, but the PKK is disturbing. The PKK targets TNP and jandarma (also part of the Interior Ministry) with remote-control devices, land mines, rockets and sniper fire. It has begun urban protests that turn into attacks on police. Qandil mountain in northern Iraq is a big stronghold, and Turkey expects an active U.S. policy to prevent future bloodshed. Effectiveness the Key Criterion -------------- ¶5. (S) The Ambassador identified counter-terrorism as a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy. D/CIA Goss focused on terrorism during his visit, especially the PKK. Our work is proceeding on several fronts. We have delved extensively into the PKK problem, developed our own information on PKK abilities and behavior, and exchange it regularly with TNP, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (TNIO) and Turkey's military. In Iraq, we are working to create a strong, unified and democratic state capable of controlling its borders and activities within the country. We are working on the problem of financial and other support for the PKK that comes from Europe, including by helping develop stronger legal cases against PKK personnel and organizations in Europe. We want to ensure that European prosecutors got solid legal evidence that can be used in court against PKK figures and groups. An interagency team visited Turkey the previous week for this purpose, and further work is planned. The whole point of our effort, the Ambassador concluded, is to be effective in dealing with a twenty-year old problem, and he downplayed prospects for kinetic action in northern Iraq, which would be difficult and not likely successful. ¶6. (C) Aksu welcomed U.S. anti-PKK efforts in Europe. The PKK has branched out from terrorism to drug smuggling and now to organized crime, including human trafficking. Aksu said that Turkey had apprehended 600,000 illegal migrants and over 6000 human traffickers in recent years. Abducted Children -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador thanked Aksu for police assistance to date in cases of children abducted to Turkey from the U.S. without both parents' consent. These cases often become political issues in the U.S. The Ambassador asked Aksu to encourage the TNP to make this a priority. Aksu replied that he would issue instructions to the TNP to be more "meticulous" and make greater efforts in this area. WILSON