TURKEY TAKES TO THE STREETS - PUBLIC FURY AT PKK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002620 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY TAKES TO THE STREETS - PUBLIC FURY AT PKK ATTACKS REF: ANKARA 2618 Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, for reasons 1.4 (b ,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. A volatile social situation is rapidly emerging here in the wake of Sunday's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attacks near the Iraqi border, the third in as many weeks. Spontaneous protests are mushrooming into large unscheduled demonstrations, and public displays of anger and national solidarity are ubiquitous. This is qualitatively different from what we have seen before. The outrage is directed at the PKK terrorists, the United States -- which many firmly believe is actively supporting the PKK -- and, increasingly, at the government and military in a call to action. Coercing a cross-border operation is but one possibility. END SUMMARY. Turkey Takes to the Streets -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The PKK attack over the weekend in Hakkari province, the third major ambush in as many weeks, has brought Turks across the country onto the streets. Turkey is now entering its third day of public demonstrations. Protests have taken place in Aydin, Nazilli, Karabuk, Kastamonu, Manisa, Kayseri, Hatay, Aksaray, Adiyaman, Yozgat, Alanya, Eskisehir, Izmir, and Istanbul. The press report that Istanbul's Kadikoy neighborhood protest drew up to 3,000; Taksim up to 12,000. Trabzon saw up to 20,000; Karabuk 15,000; Usak 10,000; Nigde up to 10,000; Hatay over 10,000; and Inegol around 10,000. In Ankara, around 25,000 students marched to Ataturk's mausoleum, chanting slogans denouncing terrorism. (Note: These are numbers reported by press, which seem high; a TNP contact noted that the 25,000 figure for Ankara was definitely high.) Universities have also held large demonstrations and issued statements denouncing terrorism: Baskent and Gazi in Ankara; Selcuk University in Konya; Adiyaman; Ordu; Inonu; Amasya; and Uludag in Bursa. Popular singers Adja Pekkan, Nilufer, and Sezen Aksu canceled their charity concert for the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV). RSO reports that after a protest was dispersed here in Ankara, smaller groups continued to gather and disperse. The Turkish National Police expect the same today. Protests have largely been anti-PKK and pro-military so far. ¶3. (SBU) Cars have been honking since Sunday's attack. Some have been semi-organized protests, with large Turkish flags decorating the hoods, and circling particularly the presidential palace and Turkish General Staff (TGS). But many of the honking-protests are spontaneous: one car will start, others will join, and after a few minutes, there is a lull before the cycle begins again. One such convoy that passed by the Embassy October 22 broadcast the Turkish national anthem. These protests have happened throughout the day and continued until late at night in many parts of the city, including (but not solely) in the area of the Embassy and some Embassy housing. Near the Embassy, some drivers have thrown firecrackers out their windows. A flag campaign is also underway, with Turkish flags, big and small, being hung from balconies. ¶4. (SBU) Vandalism has been reported in different parts of the country. In Bursa, the office of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) -- widely considered PKK's political mouthpiece -- was vandalized after the funeral of one of the fallen soldiers (called "martyrs" here). In Erzurum, vandals attacks some businesses belonging to Kurds. Social Unrest Could Quickly Turn Bloody -------------- ¶5. (C) AKP Vice Chairman Saban Disli told us he has been struck by the volatility of a public gone wild-eyed with anger. He observed that the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) is worried about the delicate balance of the current situation. It would take little to tip that balance the wrong way. He observed that the public has forgotten everything else -- democratization, the economy, ANKARA 00002620 002 OF 003 the constitution. Funerals of the dead soldiers are underway and are a potential flashpoint. Liberal commentator in Islamist daily Yeni Safak, Ali Bayramoglu, wrote that he could sense the smell of lynching in the air -- this sense, he wrote, was more dangerous than the stench of terrorism and death coming from the Southeast. U.S. Specifically Blamed -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Television commentators and retired generals immediately condemned the US for the deaths; print media is also today picking up that thread. At best, commentators complain that the US is failing to pressure the PKK to lay down arms and give up terrorism; at worst, commentators allege the US is providing intelligence to the terrorists on Turkish troop locations. In between the two is a widely-held belief, including among members of parliament, that the US is providing arms to the PKK. Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Baykal implicitly accused the US of conducting a covert war in Turkey through the PKK. Turkey Youth Union and Ataturkist Thought groups in universities issued a joint statement saying that the AKP has been waiting for US assistance, although it is known that the US provides weapons for the PKK. In Mersin, the Ataturkist Thought Association (the instigator of the spring "Republic Rallies") urged people to boycott US goods. ¶7. (C) Cancellations of US-sponsored cultural events are registering anger. Two cities that had pleaded for US programming have suddenly backed out of planned events. The Turkish-American Association (TAA) in Izmir canceled an a capella performance, as well as its own Turkish Independence Day (October 29) event. An organizer of the Adana Arts Festival, which had eagerly sought a US group for a gala event in December, abruptly advised that "the hall is not available." An International Visitors (IV) program involving 5 Turks and 5 Iraqis coming to the US to discuss water management fell apart when the Turks withdrew on departure day. A local think tank has canceled a speaker on US elections. Public Affairs continues to schedule programming, but expects further cancellations. A Military Solution -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The public and NGOs are pushing forcefully for a cross-border operation (CBO). TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu argued that under the current circumstances, one should not consider the negative impact of a CBO on private business. No matter what the cost to the economy, he asked, can one calculate the value of national unity and integrity? Chamber of Agriculture (TZOB) Chairman Semsi Bayraktar stated that the whole nation gives full support to a possible CBO; the Turkish nation has exhausted its patience and is in fury. Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) President Sinan Aygin urged a "one minute of darkness" vigil for 12 days in memory of Sunday's 12 martyrs. He also urged hanging flags on all buildings as a symbol of national unity and integrity. ¶9. (SBU) In an unprecedented development, people are flooding military recruitment offices with petitions to register. Hurriyet daily reports that 4500 people, including 350 women, have sought to enroll. ¶10. (C) COMMENT. This is a volatile mix. The mood here is qualitatively different than what we have seen before. The Turkish people are like dry kindling, ready to ignite. The current outrage is boosted by anger over the Armenian genocide resolution (H.Res. 106 - AGR) -- in Turkish eyes, both AGR and the string of PKK attacks are proof of US perfidy and contempt toward Turkey. Our perceived "support" for the PKK, they believe, is costing Turkish lives. The Turkish government has been trying hard to shape public opinion, urging calm and restraint, while assuring the public that Turkey is ready to do whatever is necessary by itself "if expected developments do not occur in a few days' time" (Prime Minister Erdogan on October 22, speaking at Oxford University). The public at large is not listening. Prime ANKARA 00002620 003 OF 003 Ministry Deputy Chief of Staff Yunus Emre Karaosmanoglu told us that the government is being bombarded with phone calls and faxes, as are members of parliament. The scope and force of the counter-terrorist operations in the Southeast may provide some cover to the government, but recent events have unleashed a flood of public response for more. The danger is in both the pressure for a cross-border operation, and in the eventual risk of public violence if protests escalate. END COMMENT. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON