TURKEY: UNEASY CALM SHATTERED ON THE THIRD DAY OF FUNERAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 000064 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: UNEASY CALM SHATTERED ON THE THIRD DAY OF FUNERAL CEREMONIES IN DIYARBAKIR REF: ADANA 60 ADANA 00000064 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A temporary, uneasy calm was shattered at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time on March 30 when renewed violence erupted between funeral mourners and security forces in Diyarbakir (reftel). Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir had earlier called on both sides to cease the violence. Large numbers of police and paramilitary jandarma remain in the city, and Turkish military units with armored vehicles and tanks are reported poised on the outskirts of the city. The death toll and number of wounded continue to grow. We are concerned that group rage, fuelled by high-profile funeral ceremonies, could become a pretext for further violence. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On March 30, tensions were still running high in Diyarbakir. Even though demonstrations and clashes between rioters and security forces had ceased since late in the evening of March 29, renewed clashes broke out during late afternoon funeral ceremonies for three people killed over the past three days. As of late afternoon of March 30, at least five people have been killed since the violence began on March 28. Media report that young children are among those killed by police gunfire. The number of wounded stands at over 250, many with gunshot wounds. Over 300 people, mostly unemployed young men, have been detained by security authorities. Schools and businesses remain closed, many shops and banks have been vandalized; cars and ATMs have been burned. A contact told us that jewelry and cell phone shops had been looted. The media reported that students at Diyarbakir's Dicle University, where the student body is predominantly pro-PKK, have boycotted classes. Another contact told us that the windows in the Security Directorate, the State Waterworks, and other government buildings around town had been broken. ¶3. (SBU) As of late afternoon on March 30, armored police vehicles continue to patrol the streets. The media said that a large military-style convoy from a nearby jandarma garrison entered the city yesterday, but our contacts told us that Turkish regular Army units, including tanks and armored vehicles, remain on the outskirts of the city, but have not yet entered. ¶4. (SBU) Mayor Osman Baydemir told us that he traveled to various points throughout the city on March 29 and met with the protestors. He called on the protestors and the security forces to cease the clashes and return to calm. He also called on the government to take concrete steps to resolve the Kurdish issue. Baydemir told us that in one instance, while traveling around town to meet protestors, his motorcade was attacked with stones and clubs by anti-terror police, in the presence of the head of the anti-terror unit. Baydemir's own bodyguard was injured in the clash. The mayor told us that he did not make this event public in order not to heighten tensions. A contact in Diyarbakir told us that during Baydemir's pleas to protestors, members of one group asked why he did not publicly participate in activities held around Turkey on February 15, the anniversary of Ocalan's capture in Kenya and return to Turkey (reftel B) ¶5. (SBU) Another contact told us that the police initially handled the demonstrators in a professional manner, but after the burial ceremonies of the slain PKK members, the crowd became more hostile and the police retaliated by using increasing levels of violence to stop them, including firing on the crowds. Yet another contact told us that, in his view, both the protestors and the security forces were to blame for the violence, with both sides escalating the level of violence. ¶6. (U) Meanwhile, demonstrations also took place in Sanliurfa, and a second day of demonstrations took place in Batman. Protestors in Sanliurfa threw stones, broke windows and attempted to block roads by turning over trash barrels; police responded with water cannon and tear gas. We have not seen any reports of injuries or detentions. In Batman, a group of 100 people protested the killing of the 14 PKK guerillas in Mus. The crowd shouted pro-Ocalan slogans. Another group of people gathered and began to march in front of a government administrative building in central Batman, which is located about one hour east of Diyarbakir. Protestors threw stones at businesses and shops along their route. Later, a group attacked two buildings with Molotov cocktails, setting both buildings on fire. The group then attacked the ultranationalist National Action Party headquarters, removed all furnishings in the building and burned them on the street. The group broke up when police intervened. ADANA 00000064 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Comment: It appears that the high level of emotion and violent tension in Diyarbakir began with the widespread perception that government forces used chemical weapons against the 14 PKK guerrillas recently killed in Mus province. This tension has now morphed to grief and outrage over the deaths and injuries suffered by Diyarbakir residents at the hands of security forces over the past three days. Given this mood, continued violence appears possible. It also is unclear whether local politicians, who appear to be acting generally constructively, have adequate influence over crowds to calm the situation. End comment. REID