EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS IN ANKARA OPEN TO ENHANCED

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001152 SIPDIS TREASURY FOR OFAC, FINCEN AND TFFC E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016 TAGS: PTER KTFN FR GM UK TU PKK SUBJECT: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS IN ANKARA OPEN TO ENHANCED COOPERATION AGAINST PKK REF: STATE 35685 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: At a briefing by a visiting JAC analyst, French, British and German diplomats in Ankara were receptive to enhanced cooperation against PKK networks in their countries. Both the British and French DCM's believed their host government's attitude towards Kurdish issues was evolving, though there were still historical sympathies for Kurds and difficulty distinguishing between Kurds and PKK. The German said the real problem in Germany was with the German courts. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Outreach to British, French and German Diplomats in Ankara -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) A visiting analyst from EUCOM's Joint Analysis Center briefed the French and British DCM's and German PolCouns on PKK in western Europe March 3. The DCM described U.S. efforts to work with the GOT and western European governments to intensify cooperation against PKK networks in Europe, and to try to move from intelligence-derived knowledge of PKK criminal activities in western Europe to develop leads for law enforcement actions. The DCM stressed the importance of stopping the PKK's criminal activities in western Europe both because these activities support terrorism and because crimes are being committed on European countries' territory. She characterized the goal as one of moving from general, intelligence-derived knowledge of PKK criminal activities to begin a process to develop concrete evidence for law enforcement and judicial action. -------------- Europeans Open to Cooperation -------------- ¶3. (C) British DCM Michael Roberts, who has recently taken a keen interest in working with us on the PKK issue, expressed his support for our efforts. Though encouraging us to press on, he suggested the U.S. be mindful that many western Europeans have historically romanticized Kurds, and have had difficulty distinguishing between "good Kurds" and "bad Kurds." He also said Europeans were likely to view the U.S. effort as a diversionary tactic, designed to divert attention from the problem of PKK in northern Iraq. Roberts believes he is having some success, however, in moving his government in a more helpful direction on this issue. He suggested the USG press the issue with the following officials: David Richmond, Foreign Office; Andy Haymond, Home Office; Brian Minahame, Serious Organized Crime Agency; and William Nye, Home Office Counter-terrorism unit. At the cabinet level, he said Home Secretary Charles Clark was key. ¶4. (C) French DCM Elisabeth Barsacq also seemed open to cooperation. Echoing Roberts' point about romanticization of Kurds, and the difficulty of distinguishing between different Kurdish groups, she said the attitude was evolving in France. Barsacq did not disagree when Roberts recommended the U.S. try to get Interior Minister Sarkozy interested in the PKK issue. German PolCouns Ralph Glanzer said that the German authorities did not take a romantic view of the Kurds and said Germany had considerable experience combatting the PKK. The problem in Germany has been getting the courts to take action and getting adequate evidence from the Turkish authorities. Regarding the JAC briefing, he appreciated the exchange of information and said the focus should be on next steps. -------------- JAC Analyst Briefs GOT -------------- ¶5. (C) Separately, the JAC analyst briefed an interagency group of Turkish officials on PKK activities in western Europe, with a particular focus on criminal activities and fund-raising. The GOT group, assembled by MFA, included representatives from the Turkish National Intelligence Organization(TNIO),Turkish National Police, MASAK (the financial intelligence unit),Ministry of Justice, and Turkish General Staff. The GOT officials, led by MFA DG for Security Affairs Hayati Guven, expressed their appreciation for the exchange of information and said they would forward comments to us later. The JAC analyst held separate meetings with TGS and with TNP and briefed U.S. Mission personnel. ¶6. (C) Though the Turkish officials seemed unwilling to say too much in front of such a large group, on Riza Altun, TNIO officials said they understood he had been recalled to Iraq but doubted he would go. They said he has been replaced by a woman by the name of Canan Kurt Yilmaz. Nevertheless, in the meeting with TGS, the TGS officials reiterated the desirability of action against Altun. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (S) Though European diplomats posted to Ankara obviously have a greater interest in their governments going after PKK networks than their colleagues may have in capitals, it was striking that none took a defensive stance or resented the U.S. position. They all agreed to contact capitals and express support for the initiative. The French and Germans were well aware of the activities of Altun and Cansiz and said they would talk with their intelligence and law enforcement repesentatives in country to engage with their agency headquarters in Paris and Berlin. WILSON