TURKEY/IRAQ: TURKS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004258 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER ETRD TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAQ: TURKS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR PROGRESS ON PKK AND KIRKUK REF: ANKARA 4163 (EXDIS) Classified By: PolMil Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d) ¶1. (C) We discussed the PKK issue July 21 with GOT Deputy Iraq Coordinator Fazli Corman. We emphasized the importance of continuing to work together to combat the PKK and underscored that the USG is engaged on the issue. We asked Corman about Turkey's recent contacts with the GOI on combatting the PKK. He replied that, since Undersecretary Tuygan's conversation with the Iraqi Ambassador on July 17 (reftel),he knew of no other significant contacts. We suggested--given the importance of this issue--that the GOT should continue to engage not only us, but also the Iraqis. ¶2. (C) Corman expressed his growing concern about the Kirkuk situation. He said Turkey appreciates recent U.S. efforts to find a consensus solution that will be acceptable to all sides; however, he is worried by the Iraqi Kurds' "aggressive stance" on the issue and their apparent belief that the city is already part of the KRG. He was disappointed with Iraqi PM Maliki's recent trip to northern Iraq, noting that Maliki's public remarks did not indicate a willingness to confront the Iraqi Kurds on the Kirkuk problem. We responded that we are concerned by the recent spate of terrorist attacks in and around the city, and that we would continue to work on the Kirkuk issue with the Iraqi government. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON