TURKEY: USD(P) EDELMAN AND A/S FRIED DISCUSS PKK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002537 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2022 TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY: USD(P) EDELMAN AND A/S FRIED DISCUSS PKK WITH MFA U/S APAKAN AND D/CHOD SAYGUN Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Apakan and Deputy Defense Chief GEN Saygun told USD(P) Edelman and A/S Fried October 13 that Turkey is reaching the end of its patience with PKK terrorism and expects concrete US help. They noted recent unprecedented attacks, including rocket attacks on Turkish outposts from northern Iraq and a radar-guided missile lock-on of a Turkish helicopter. Edelman promised to discuss Turkish concerns with Iraqi authorities and remind them of their international obligations. He urged that both sides act in the spirit of the recently-concluded bilateral counter-terrorism agreement. He asked that Turkey consider whether its interests will be best served by a cross-border operation -- something the PKK is clearly enticing Turkey to do. Edelman promised further cooperation on arms leakage from Iraq, noting that an ongoing US investigation may prevent quick responses to Turkey's requests for information. End Summary. Apakan -- We Need Action on PKK -------------- ¶2. (C) Apakan assured USD(P) Edelman and A/S Fried that Turkey continues to support U.S. goals in Iraq. U.S. failure there would also be a failure for Turkey. Reflecting this, Turkey will host the Iraq Neighbors Ministerial in Istanbul in early November. Apakan expressed appreciation for the recent visit of Defense and State IGs to Ankara to discuss the leakage of US-origin arms for Iraq to the PKK and criminals in Turkey. However, the PKK issue is poisoning Turkey-Iraq relations, and the public sees the US as responsible. Apakan wondered if northern Iraq leadership is aware of the damage the PKK is causing to the prospects of a successful Iraq and a stable region. Kurdish members of the central Iraqi government, under instructions from the KRG, had obstructed negotiations over the Turkey-Iraq counter-terrorism agreement. Apakan reported that Turkish border posts had taken rocket fire from the Iraqi side of the border -- an unprecedented escalation. Apakan stated that Turkish patience is at an end and said Turkey expects meaningful and results-oriented action from the US. ¶3. (C) Noting that he had watched television reporting of PKK attacks in Sirnak province with concern, USD(P) Edelman told Apakan the US is keenly aware of the sensitivity of the PKK issue. He told Apakan he would be traveling onward to Baghdad, where he would discuss this with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. He promised to relay Turkey's strong sentiments and dwindling patience to the Iraqi leadership. Edelman praised the bilateral counter-terrorism agreement and hoped that Turkey and Iraq can act in its spirit even pending ratification (which process Apakan said Turkey had begun). Continued Cooperation on Iraq Arms Leakage -------------- ¶4. (C) Edelman stated that leakage of arms from Iraq to Turkey remains a major USG concern, noting that a criminal investigation is underway in the US and that DOD IG Kicklighter has remained in Iraq for two months to resolve the issue and ensure there is no repetition. Edelman cautioned Apakan that the USG may not be able to respond immediately to all of Turkey's requests for information on seized weapons given the ongoing nature of the US criminal investigation. Edelman and Apakan agreed that US and Turkish authorities would continue to cooperate closely on this issue. Edelman to Saygun -- Don't Be Lured into CBO Trap -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) In a separate meeting, D/CHOD GEN Ergin Saygun complained to Edelman and Fried that Israel had violated Turkish airspace during its recent attack on a target in Syria. Meanwhile, he asserted, the US is looking at intervening in Iran. Yet the US continues to object to a Turkish cross-border operation against PKK terrorists in northern Iraq. Saygun reported that a Turkish helicopter operating on the Turkish side of the border had been "painted" by a missile radar from the Iraqi side of the border. This was an unusual and threatening event. ANKARA 00002537 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Edelman responded that the US has never denied Turkey's right to defend itself. However, the PKK is seeking to lure Turkey into northern Iraq. He urged Turkish officials to carefully consider if Turkey's interests would be served by such a move. Edelman promised to stress to Iraqi authorities that Iraq has international obligations under UN Security Council resolutions to prevent terrorism against its neighbors. Meanwhile, both sides should act in the spirit of the recently signed bilateral counter-terrorism agreement. ¶7. (U) USD(P) Edelman and A/S Fried did not have an opportunity to review this cable. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON