IRAQI MFA AGREEABLE TO TRILATERAL PKK MEETING, BUT

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001757 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI MFA AGREEABLE TO TRILATERAL PKK MEETING, BUT COOL TO TURKISH PKK "DELIVERABLES" REF: STATE 69667 (U) Classified by Deputy Political Counselor Charles O. Blaha, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Deputy polcouns delivered reftel Turkish desired deliverables to Iraqi MFA Under Secretary Labeed Abbawi May ¶27. Abbawi said the GOI is willing to meet in trilateral format with the GOT and USG on PKK issues. However, Abbawi rejected any military action by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to close PKK camps as not feasible, and any other action to close them as unrealistic. Abbawi said surrendering PKK leaders to Turkey "would raise hell in Kurdistan." He did not react to proposals that the GOI more formally proclaim the PKK a terrorist organization. ¶2. (S) Abbawi expressed that the GOI is willing to continue to work on closing Makhmour refugee camp, but Turkey must agree to amnesty for returning camp residents. ¶3. (S) Abbawi appeared well-briefed on current events in Turkey. He asserted that Turkey is "restless" about the PKK because of the current election campaign and tension between the AKP and secularists. Abbawi said Turkey needs to solve the PKK problem "politically." A cross-border operation, he predicted, would scatter the PKK but not eliminate it, and would build sympathy for the PKK in the KRG. CROCKER