Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2546
2007-10-16 09:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKS CLEAR THAT PARLIAMENTARY MOTION FOR CROSS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002546
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC TU US AM IZ
SUBJECT: TURKS CLEAR THAT PARLIAMENTARY MOTION FOR CROSS
BORDER OPERATION AIMED AGAINST PKK
REF: ANKARA 2538 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002546
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC TU US AM IZ
SUBJECT: TURKS CLEAR THAT PARLIAMENTARY MOTION FOR CROSS
BORDER OPERATION AIMED AGAINST PKK
REF: ANKARA 2538 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) On October 15, Turkish PM Erdogan's cabinet approved
and forwarded to parliament a draft motion to authorize
conducting cross border operations (CBO) against PKK
terrorists in northern Iraq. Parliament is scheduled to
debate and vote on the motion October 17. If, as expected,
parliament approves the motion, the government will then have
authority for a period of one year to send troops at any time
to counter the PKK threat.
2. (SBU) In announcing the cabinet's decision, Deputy PM and
government spokesman Cemil Cicek underscored that having the
authority does not mean the GOT will feel compelled to use
it. If, however, military action becomes necessary,
according to Cicek, the sole target would be the PKK. He
reiterated this several times, making clear that Turkey has
no designs "on any country's resources," and emphasizing
Turkish support for Iraq's territorial integrity. According
to media reports, MFA plans to launch a diplomatic campaign
to convince the international community that any Turkish
military action in Iraq would focus strictly on fighting the
terrorist threat.
3. (SBU) To further underscore the message, the GOT invited
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi to Ankara for a one-day
visit October 16. During meetings with President Gul and PM
Erdogan, Turkish leaders reportedly plan to explain why they
sent the motion to parliament and urge again that the GOI
take action against the PKK.
4. (SBU) Turkish media provided broad coverage of an October
14 Al-Jazeera interview with Kurdish Regional Government
(KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, in which Barzani
emphasized that the KRG wants to establish strong relations
with Turkey and condemned recent PKK attacks that killed 13
Turkish troops. Barzani added that the PKK is not just a
problem for Turkey, but "has caused problems for us in the
past." Since past military action had failed to eliminate
the PKK threat, he urged Turkish authorities to pursue a
political solution. Barzani emphasized that Iraqi Kurds do
not interfere in Turkey's internal affairs and that the KRG
would not willingly allow Iraqi territory to be used for
assaults on any neighboring state.
5. (C) There was increased helicopter activity on the evening
of October 15 in Silopi, but nothing that would indicate
support for any major cross border operation. Operations at
Habur Gate are reportedly running normally.
6. (SBU) There have been no AGR-related demonstrations at any
USG facilities since those reported last week, although we
anticipate further protests. The Turkish National Police
continue to provide additional support. Post's EAC met
October 16 at 1000 (to be reported septel) to address AGR
issues and determine an appropriate security posture.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ASEC TU US AM IZ
SUBJECT: TURKS CLEAR THAT PARLIAMENTARY MOTION FOR CROSS
BORDER OPERATION AIMED AGAINST PKK
REF: ANKARA 2538 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (SBU) On October 15, Turkish PM Erdogan's cabinet approved
and forwarded to parliament a draft motion to authorize
conducting cross border operations (CBO) against PKK
terrorists in northern Iraq. Parliament is scheduled to
debate and vote on the motion October 17. If, as expected,
parliament approves the motion, the government will then have
authority for a period of one year to send troops at any time
to counter the PKK threat.
2. (SBU) In announcing the cabinet's decision, Deputy PM and
government spokesman Cemil Cicek underscored that having the
authority does not mean the GOT will feel compelled to use
it. If, however, military action becomes necessary,
according to Cicek, the sole target would be the PKK. He
reiterated this several times, making clear that Turkey has
no designs "on any country's resources," and emphasizing
Turkish support for Iraq's territorial integrity. According
to media reports, MFA plans to launch a diplomatic campaign
to convince the international community that any Turkish
military action in Iraq would focus strictly on fighting the
terrorist threat.
3. (SBU) To further underscore the message, the GOT invited
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi to Ankara for a one-day
visit October 16. During meetings with President Gul and PM
Erdogan, Turkish leaders reportedly plan to explain why they
sent the motion to parliament and urge again that the GOI
take action against the PKK.
4. (SBU) Turkish media provided broad coverage of an October
14 Al-Jazeera interview with Kurdish Regional Government
(KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, in which Barzani
emphasized that the KRG wants to establish strong relations
with Turkey and condemned recent PKK attacks that killed 13
Turkish troops. Barzani added that the PKK is not just a
problem for Turkey, but "has caused problems for us in the
past." Since past military action had failed to eliminate
the PKK threat, he urged Turkish authorities to pursue a
political solution. Barzani emphasized that Iraqi Kurds do
not interfere in Turkey's internal affairs and that the KRG
would not willingly allow Iraqi territory to be used for
assaults on any neighboring state.
5. (C) There was increased helicopter activity on the evening
of October 15 in Silopi, but nothing that would indicate
support for any major cross border operation. Operations at
Habur Gate are reportedly running normally.
6. (SBU) There have been no AGR-related demonstrations at any
USG facilities since those reported last week, although we
anticipate further protests. The Turkish National Police
continue to provide additional support. Post's EAC met
October 16 at 1000 (to be reported septel) to address AGR
issues and determine an appropriate security posture.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON