TURKEY: ANKARA EXPLOSION: POLICE CONCLUDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001249 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017 TAGS: PTER ASEC CMGT PGOV TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: ANKARA EXPLOSION: POLICE CONCLUDE TERRORISM; NO GROUP CLAIMS OF RESPONSIBILITY REF: ANKARA 0112 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) 1.(U) At 1850 on May 22, an explosion in Ankara's Ulus district killed 6 and injured approximately 80 people, according to the Turkish National Police's (TNP) latest figures. No Americans were killed or injured. TNP reports that 1 Pakistani citizen died (Pakistani Embassy has not confirmed) and approximately 6-10 were injured. The Pakistanis were apparently in Ankara in connection with the International Defense Manufacturers Fair (IDEF). All injured were held in hospitals overnight for monitoring. The area where the explosion occurred is always heavily congested with buses, other vehicles and pedestrians. 2.(C) TNP has so far arrested 7 people and has told RSO they have concluded that this was a terrorist incident. TNP has not yet made a public announcement. No group has yet claimed responsibility. The preliminary forensic investigation suggests use of A-4 plastic explosives. Police also found no divot or hole in the ground near the explosion. 3.(SBU) PM Erdogan visited the site two hours after the blast. Addressing the press, he condemned terrorism and vowed to work with security forces to get to the bottom of the explosion. Absent more complete investigative information, declined to speculate on who or what group might have perpetrated the explosions. Turkish General Staff Chief General Buyukanit, after surveying the scene, stated the Turks should look at who is feeding terrorism in Turkey, noted this could have been a terrorist act and warned that more could come. 4.(SBU) At 2000 the same evening, a major IDEF reception, including government ministers and Turkish General Staff (TGS) brass, was held at the near-by Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The event, well-attended, went forward amidst tight security. 5.(SBU) Across Turkey and especially in the capital, tensions were already running high, with the country two months out from early parliamentary elections triggered by a civilian-military crisis. All eyes have been on Ankara's politicians and generals over the past four weeks. 6.(C) Comment: No organization has yet claimed responsibility. However, numerous reports in recent weeks have indicated the PKK intended to end its unilateral ceasefire with a series of attacks in major cities. The PKK or its wing, TAK, has set off bombs in tourist resorts and Istanbul in the past. While there has not been violence of this magnitude in Turkey's capital since the political chaos of the 1970's, the location may have been selected to attract maximum attention. The use of A-4 explosives may also point to PKK involvement, though no government spokesperson has attributed the bombing to PKK and all in responsibility are responding with caution. End comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON