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.

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GOT BELIEVES PKK HAS RESUMED ACTIVITIES; BARZANI DISAGREES
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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.

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THE WAY FORWARD: RESUME TRILATERAL DISCUSSSIONS
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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
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.

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BARZANI DOUBTS GOT COULD SUCCEED WITH GROUND ATTACKS
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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


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PRESIDENT TALABANI REITERATES BARZANI'S COMMENTS
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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