TURKEY TAKES ITS PKK PROBLEM TO THE UNITED NATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001043 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER AORC TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY TAKES ITS PKK PROBLEM TO THE UNITED NATIONS REF: ANKARA 822 Classified By: POLCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On instructions from MFA Undersecretary (D-equivalent) Apakan, Head of Section for Iraq Aydin Selcen provided to us May 2 a copy of a letter dated April 27 from the Turkish UN Perm Rep, Baki Ilkin, to UNSYG Moon. The letter (full text in para. 4) reiterates Turkey's commitment to help Iraq, but then goes on to recount Turkey's desire for the GOI to take action against the PKK. The letter recounts that the GOT delivered a diplomatic note April 9 to Iraq on this matter (see reftel),and cites Turkey's rights under international law -- including certain UN instruments -- to demand satisfaction. ¶2. (C) Selcen emphasized that Turkey is not requesting the SYG to take action; the letter was intended merely "for his information." Selcen added that Turkey's UN Mission also provided copies of the letter to the U.S. and UK Missions in New York. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: It is unclear precisely why Turkey chose to take this matter to the UNSYG. Perhaps the GOT was hoping that Moon, new in office, would show some interest in the problem. It is also possible that Turkey is laying the groundwork for international justification for a future cross-border operation against the PKK. END COMMENT. ¶4. (C) Text of letter to UNSYG Moon (as received) BEGIN TEXT New York, 27 April 2007 Dear Mr. Secretary-General Turkey considers Iraq as a friendly neighbouring country. It is a priority for Turkish foreign policy to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and national unity within its internationally recognized borders. Iraq must remain a nation at peace with its own people and cooperating with its neighbours. This is vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity. We are highly concerned about the current situation in Iraq. As ever, Turkey stands ready to contribute to Iraq's unity and stability. We do not spare any efforts in that direction. We are confident that Iraqis will be able to find consensus-based solutions. Today an invigorated UN role in facilitating Iraq's national dialogue and reconciliation efforts is also required more than ever. One particular bilateral problem with Iraq is the longstanding presence of the PKK/Kongragel terrorist organization in the north of Iraq instigating violence inside Turkey. This terrorist organization is listed as such by many countries including the US as well as the EU. The cross border attacks perpetrated by this terrorist group cause loss of life and material damage in Turkey almost on a daily basis. In this vein, we have time and again reminded the Iraqi government to take the necessary measures to eliminate PKK presence in Iraq and its terrorist activities in and from its territory. So far none of the suggested concrete measures have been implemented by the Iraqi government. Not even the freedom of movement of these terrorists in the north of Iraq has been curbed. Furthermore, the leading members of PKK appear on local TV channels and this terrorist organization enjoys all kinds of logistic support with total impunity. Turkey delivered a Note Verbale to Iraq on the 9th of April, 2007, in line with its legitimate rights emanating from international legal instruments, asking it to prevent infiltration of terrorists across its borders into Turkey, to arrest the leading members of the PKK and hand them over to ANKARA 00001043 002 OF 002 Turkey. Among the above-mentioned legal instruments, allow me to refer primarily to the Turkey-Iraq Friendship and Good Neighbourliness Treaty of 29 March 1946 and to all relevant UNSC resolutions on combating terrorism including in particular UNSC Res 1373 and Article 17 of the UNSC Res No ¶1546. We wish to inform Your Excellency of these points as Turkey expects the Iraqi government to take action on its legitimate concerns. We hope that the Iraqi government will cooperate with us in putting an end to the presence of the PKK terrorist organization on its territory in line with its international and bilateral obligations. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Baki Ilkin Ambassador Permanent Representative END TEXT Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON