BARZANI AND TALABANI DISCUSS PKK, TURKISH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004625 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: BARZANI AND TALABANI DISCUSS PKK, TURKISH RELATIONS WITH AMBASSADOR REF: BAGHDAD 4595 Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: In recent meetings the Ambassador raised Turkish concerns about a possible resurgence in PKK activity with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani (KDP) and Iraq President Jalal Talabani(PUK). In separate meetings both Barzani and Talabani commented that the Turkish government is exaggerating claims for internal political reasons. Barzani denied KDP cooperation with PKK. He emphasized that trilateral discussions need to begin and that US Special Envoy for PKK Issues, General Ralston, should define concrete, sequential steps that need to be taken to resolve the issue. In a separate meeting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offered the same assessment. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- GOT BELIEVES PKK HAS RESUMED ACTIVITIES; BARZANI DISAGREES -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S) During recent meetings with KRG President Masoud Barzani, the Ambassador raised current Turkish concerns about PKK resurgence. These concerns include rumors that the PKK will end its ceasefire and that there have been attacks against Turkish soldiers in recent weeks. Furthermore, there have been allegations that Barzani's KDP has been helping the PKK. ¶3. (S) Barzani responded to these concerns by saying that he doubted the PKK would make a unilateral decision to resume hostilities, but said that the KDP would "weigh-in" to ensure the PKK maintain the ceasefire. He called the allegation that the KDP has cooperated with the PKK "completely untrue," and cited instances when the KDP has helped Turkish authorities against the PKK. Barzani speculated that Turkish military officials are exaggerating the situation in an effort to exert "leverage" over the Turkish Prime Minister and maintain a high defense budget. Barzani noted that the PKK appears to have "pockets" of supporters within Turkey and questioned why Turkish defense forces have hesitated in confronting them inside Turkey. -------------- -- THE WAY FORWARD: RESUME TRILATERAL DISCUSSSIONS -------------- -- ¶4. (S) Barzani echoed Foreign Minister Zebari's comments (reftel) that trilateral talks on PKK need to move forward. He went further, noting that the US Special Envoy for PKK �00A;Issues, General Ralston, needs to develop a plan outlining specific, sequential steps that can lead to a diplomatic resolution of this issue. This plan should include, Barzani said, steps to begin trilateral discussions and to address the Makhmour camp. He also stated that amnesty for PKK members would remain a central issue. ¶5. (S) Barzani reiterated his willingness to participate in discussions, but noted that Turkey's objection to the delegation appointed by Maliki to address PKK issues has impeded resolution. The GOT objected, Barzani said, because Maliki designated Kurdish Interior Minister, Karim Sinjari, as deputy of the GOI delegation. (NOTE: When the trilateral concept was first raised in August, the GOT reported it would not accept a Kurdish lead negotiator from the GOI. Senior GOI officials, including Maliki, questioned the logic of this demand, saying this issue can only be resolved with KRG officials in the lead. Maliki ultimately acquiesced, appointing Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili to lead the delegation. To date, no trilateral talks have occurred. END NOTE). The Turkish government asks the Kurds for help, Barzani said, and then they stall discussions for something like this. -------------- -------------- BARZANI DOUBTS GOT COULD SUCCEED WITH GROUND ATTACKS -------------- -------------- ¶6. (S) When asked about Turkish responses if they suspect the PKK has resumed attacks, Barzani replied that the GOT has threatened to send troops into the KRG. Barzani dismissed these threats as unserious, saying the GOT knows they would be "bloodied" if the engaged in a ground war. It is more likely, Barzani stated, that the GOT would opt for air strikes instead. Barzani emphatically stated that Kurdish forces would not get involved if the GOT engaged the PKK, however, they would "defend themselves" if the GOT attacked non-PKK targets. BAGHDAD 00004625 002 OF 002 -------------- --- PRESIDENT TALABANI REITERATES BARZANI'S COMMENTS -------------- --- ¶7. (S) In a separate conversation on December 16 with Iraqi President Talabani, the Ambassador again raised Turkish concerns. Talabani responded that the GOT's version of PKK activity was inflated for internal political reasons, stating that he does not believe the attacks against Turkish soldiers have occurred. He said that KRG President Masoud Barzani had intervened to stop the PKK from using KDP broadcast media to distribute propaganda. He also denied that the PKK will abrogate the ceasefire agreement, but agreed to exert pressure to ensure it holds. Talabani urged the USG to push forward trilateral discussions and reiterated that they are willing to send a joint PUK-KDP delegation to Ankara to address the PKK issue. Talabani requested that the USG encourage Ankara to accept the delegation so that this issue can be resolved as soon as possible. KHALILZAD