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

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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