(S) DESIGNATING TAK AS A PKK ALIAS

S E C R E T ANKARA 002119

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2017
TAGS: PTER KTFN TU
SUBJECT: (S) DESIGNATING TAK AS A PKK ALIAS

REF: S/CT MEMO TO EUR/SE

Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (S) Ref solicited post views on the designation of the
Turkish terrorist group, TAK. As extensive IC reporting
indicates, TAK has been established by the PKK to create the
appearance of separateness. This allows TAK to attack
tourist areas in western Turkey while PKK disavows
responsibility and seeks to maintain plausible deniability.
The Turkish MFA have told us repeatedly they hold strongly to
this view, and are particularly sensitive that the idea that
TAK is somehow separate from PKK not be given any
credibility. Therefore, a USG designation of TAK as a
separate group risks Turkish frustration that we are lending
credence to the idea they are separate. Post therefore
strongly supports the designation of TAK as an alias of PKK.
All relevant sections and agencies at post understand that
the information available suggests TAK is PKK.


2. (S) Given this state of affairs, U.S. designation as an
alias is appropriate to make it illegal for TAK to raise
funds or gain other forms of support in the U.S. A U.S.
designation would also reinforce the EU's recent designation
of TAK. Given that TAK has targeted tourist areas and killed
European tourists, USG designation of TAK as an alias of PKK
might help energize European governments on the PKK threat.


3. (S) To assist us in developing a complete file, including
unclassified information demonstrating that TAK is really

SIPDIS
PKK, the Turkish MFA obtained from the Interior Ministry a
package of summaries of court cases in which evidence
regarding suspects in TAK-claimed attacks demonstrate that
TAK is PKK. On July 31, we pouched this package to EUR/SE
for use by L, S/CT and EUR/SE in deciding on the most
appropriate way to proceed. Unfortunately, these documents
are in Turkish. Our staff are drafting brief summaries of
each case. Those summaries will be pouched separately after
they are completed. The Department can then use these
summaries to make MLAT requests for the full documents and/or
have the entire text of the particular case translated.


4. (C) If, after a thorough review of the available
information, USG designation experts believe that proving TAK
is an alias of PKK will not meet the evidentiary standard
under U.S. law, a second-best, but still desirable option
would be to pursue designation by the U.S. Treasury of the
TAK as an organization "owned and controlled by" the PKK.
Although this approach risks Turkish officials perceiving
such a designation as implying separate status, we could
emphasize the "owned and controlled" language and still
prevent the TAK from being able to raise funds in the U.S.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
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MCELDOWNEY