TURKEY: ERDOGAN TALKS PKK IN THE UK

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002647 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER TU UK IZ EUN SUBJECT: TURKEY: ERDOGAN TALKS PKK IN THE UK Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 b, d ¶1. (C) Turkish PM Erdogan met with UK PM Gordon Brown, opposition leader David Cameron, MPs from both Houses of Parliament, British investors, and Oxford University students during his October 22-23 trip to London. UK Ambassador to Turkey Nick Baird told us PM Erdogan spoke at length with PM Brown on the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and reviewed the GOT's ongoing diplomatic efforts with the U.S., Iraq, and the Europeans. Brown urged him to employ restraint and provide President Bush and Secretary Rice with the few days they had requested before launching a cross border operation (CBO) into Iraq. With each passing day, Erdogan lamented, the pressure to demonstrate to the Turkish people that diplomacy can render results significantly increases. ¶2. (SBU) In addition to the PKK, Erdogan and Brown discussed Turkey's EU bid. Brown pledged to support and maintain the momentum of Turkey's EU accession talks through a series of cooperative measures defined in the 2007/2008 Strategic Partnership document both prime ministers signed at the end of the meeting. In addition to EU issues, the bilateral plan outlines general proposals to help end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, deepen the defense relationship, promote regional stability and global security, increase bilateral trade and investment, and enhance educational and cultural ties. ¶3. (C) On the margins, UK contacts report the Turkish delegation expressed great anxiety over television footage of the eight Turkish soldiers held hostage by the PKK. Ambassador Baird assured the Turks that the UK will pressure Kurdish Regional Government President Barzani and the GOI to take strong steps against the terrorist organization. In addition, the UK will seek to strengthen European endeavors to crack down on PKK fundraising efforts and front groups and to facilitate the extradition of PKK members. Overall, UK contacts report Erdogan appeared calm but determined, handling tough questions with "more measure than normal." Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON