TURKEY: PKK CLAIMS ATTACK ON KIRKUK-CEYHAN PIPELINE

UNCLAS ADANA 000046 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EPET ECON PTER PINS TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY: PKK CLAIMS ATTACK ON KIRKUK-CEYHAN PIPELINE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A BOTAS official and local security contacts confirm press reports of a November 21 PKK-perpetrated terrorist attack on the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline approximately 50 miles from the Iraqi border. The alleged bomb explosion wrought a three-day inferno that was recently brought under control to allow for pipeline repair work. We have conflicting information on whether oil is flowing. Provincial counterterrorism officials warn of increased attacks in the coming weeks to mark the November 27 anniversary of the PKK's founding. END SUMMARY. -------------- FLOWING OR NOT? -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Turkish mainstream media report on Friday, November 21, shortly after 8:30 p.m., the terrorist organization PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) detonated a bomb in the Taksoy district of Mardin province, some 50 miles from the Iraqi border. Pro-Kurdish Firat News Agency credits the sabotage as the PKK's doing, reporting extensive damage to the pipeline with estimates that weeks will pass before crude oil flows again. BOTAS Petroleum Facilities Director Muzaffer Galay told us the pipeline has started to flow at low levels. The pipeline is really two twined lines and he said one is working and one continues to be off-line. His account differs from a Reuters report that cited an unnamed Energy Ministry official, who said repair of the pipeline started today, but the pipeline was still not functioning. The official said the target was to bring it back online in less than a week. -------------- -------------- PKK WILL STIR UP MORE TROUBLE -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Provincial Counterterrorism Chief for Mardin Ergun Dagistanli told us gendarme units in Taksoy had sealed off the bomb site and were remaining tight-lipped about the incident and ensuing investigation. He confirmed counterterrorism operations were continuing in areas of the province under his jurisdiction, and that he had raised the security-alert level in anticipation of potential attacks marking the 30th anniversary of the PKK's foundation (November 27). Adana's Deputy Counterterrorism Chief Erhan Yildirim predicted local PKK organizers would take advantage of their anniversary by fomenting more street clashes and Molotov cocktail incidents in Adana's Kurdish-populated rural boroughs, and said to watch for terrorist attacks around Mount Amanos in Hatay province. Galay told us BOTAS' initial assessment is that sabotage caused the explosion but said the investigation continues and the final determination could yield different results. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) We agree with the assessments of both Yildirim and freelance Kurdish journalist Yilmaz Akinci -- the PKK is flexing its muscles yet again to show they are lethal and relevant. PKK tactical leader Murat Karayilan has declared on many an occasion the organization's ability to damage Turkey's economy, and while this may hurt Iraq's pocketbook more immediately than Turkey's, it is embarrassing to a government trying to attract investors, enhance its regional energy role, and demonstrate stability. END COMMENT. GREEN