TURKS CLEAR THAT PARLIAMENTARY MOTION FOR CROSS

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