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