TURKEY: MPS ACROSS POLITICAL SPECTRUM EXPRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002674 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY: MPS ACROSS POLITICAL SPECTRUM EXPRESS CONCERN OVER OUTRAGE TOWARD US REF: ANKARA 2660 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Political Counselor Janice Wiener, Reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Turkish MPs across the political spectrum have stressed to us that expectations for action are high. The context is public fury against the U.S. following recent PKK terrorist attacks in southeast Turkey. The MPs, ranging from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) members to representatives from opposition Republican People,s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Action Party (MHP),underscored Turkey's rage toward the U.S. due to widely-held perceptions that the U.S. is doing nothing to support Turkey's struggle against the PKK. The request for "a few days" to work on the PKK problem created expectations that the U.S. will quickly take concrete steps to end the PKK presence in Iraq. While the MPs acknowledged that a cross-border operation (CBO) is unlikely to end PKK violence or be in Turkey,s interest, they warned that the GOT will have little choice but to respond to the public demand for a military operation if diplomatic efforts fail to produce results. They also feared the intense outcry against PKK terrorism may lead to Turk-on-Kurd violence. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In recent meetings, MPs from AKP and opposition CHP and MHP from across Turkey professed to be "friends of the U.S.", but emphasized the volatile anti-American sentiments emanating from "the street." Fueling the anger, they said, is perceived U.S. inaction and the widely-held view that the U.S. is arming and protecting the PKK, seeking to divide Turkey, and refusing to pressure Iraqi Kurds to do more to fight the PKK. AKP,s Suat Kilic, from the Black Sea coast, flatly stated that the U.S. clearly cares more about Iraqi Kurds than its alliance with Turkey. Even if the U.S. is not directly supporting the PKK, it is clearly supporting the KDP,s Barzani, who in turn is arming the PKK. Several MPs noted that reports of the PKK using U.S.-origin arms in attacks against Turkish forces only reinforces Turkish suspicions of U.S. complicity in PKK attacks. ¶3. (C) The parliamentarians emphasized that Turkey's anger does not stem from any innate Turkish animosity towards the U.S. Rather, it reflects bitter disappointment over U.S. inaction against the PKK, despite Turkey,s long-standing alliance with the U.S., Turkey,s contributions in Afghanistan, the Balkans and the Korean War. The U.S. crossed continents to retaliate for 9/11; Turkey expects the U.S. to understand Turkey,s need to respond to ongoing PKK violence next door, which has killed over 30,000 people since ¶1984. Instead, the U.S. has prevented Turkey from taking legitimate measures to defend itself. In light of Turkey,s steadfast historical loyalty, American inaction toward the PKK is incomprehensible and viewed as an act of betrayal. ¶4. (C) These anti-American sentiments could turn around on a dime, the MPs told us, if only the U.S. could take some concrete measures against the PKK. This could include closing PKK offices in Iraq, eliminating PKK camps in northern Iraq supporting terrorist operations, limiting the freedom of movement of PKK fighters, and capturing and extraditing PKK leaders to Turkey. Ensar Ogut, a CHP deputy from Ardahan, a province on Turkey,s border with Georgia, noted the recent USG request "for a few days" to address the PKK issue. This request had captured Turks, attention and was creating an expectation of quick, tangible action against the PKK. From Ogut's perspective, a joint U.S. operation with Turkey would be ideal, but simply "getting out of the way" would suffice. ¶5. (C) While all the MPs privately acknowledged that a CBO would not put an end to PKK violence, and could in fact provoke more attacks, they stressed that no politician will be able to prevent a CBO if current diplomatic efforts fail to bring about concrete action. Metin Yilmaz, AKP deputy from Bolu, north of Ankara, referred to the oft-used phrase, "the knife is at the bone," to illustrate both Turkey,s ANKARA 00002674 002 OF 002 restraint to date in not undertaking military measures, and the pain caused by the PKK attacks that demands a forceful response. ¶6. (C) The MPs also emphasized that, absent concrete action, words alone will not reverse the deep, anti-U.S. skepticism in Turkey. Metin Ergun, MHP deputy from Mugla, on Turkey,s Mediterranean coast, said the public is tired of "empty promises" from the U.S. ¶7. (C) Many MPs also voiced concern that the public outcry against PKK violence risks spilling over into Turk-on-Kurd violence. Although critical of (failed) GOT steps to censor TV coverage of the funerals for soldiers killed in recent PKK attacks, MHP,s Turkes conceded that it may be a prudent step to keep the rage from boiling over into violence. Ergun said while some radical groups may exploit the anger and use it to stir up violence against Kurds, he is hopeful the current anger will not lead to widespread inter-ethnic violence. Even in the worst years of PKK attacks during the 1990s, Turks and Kurds continued to live at peace with each other. He expressed confidence that this will continue to be the case now. ¶8. (C) Comment: It is difficult to understate the emotion on this topic. Although all MPs couched their comments as an effort to share with us the view "on the street," many were visibly agitated, some shaking with anger. They clearly were conveying their own personal messages, as well as reflecting their constituents, strongly held views. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON