TURKEY: PRE-NOTIFICATION OF U.S. DESIGNATION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000179 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/ESC/TFS ERTEL AND EUR/PGI REASOR, TREASURY FOR OIA YEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2019 TAGS: KTFN EFIN ECON PTER PINR TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKEY: PRE-NOTIFICATION OF U.S. DESIGNATION OF PJAK REF: SECSTATE 9154 Classified By: Econ Counselor Dale Eppler for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) We informed MFA Security Affairs Deputy Director General Inan Ozyildiz and Security Affairs Office Director Metin Ergin February 3 of the USG's intent to designate PJAK as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (reftel). Ozyildiz said the Government of Turkey supports this designation, which will be "an asset" in the fight against terror. He added that it is "obvious that PJAK cooperates with the PKK" and the GOT would like to see a broad-based understanding and condemnation of both groups by European countries. Currently, there are "huge disparities" in how different European countries deal with the PKK and PJAK. Ozyildiz called the designation "another brick in the wall" that will help cut funds and fight PJAK attacks in Iraq and Iran. Positive Developments in Iraq Security -------------- ¶2. (C) Ozyildiz said Turkish relations with Kurdish Regional Government officials continue to improve and he is seeing increased willingness by Massoud Barzani to crack down on PKK operations and funding. Ozyildiz sees the security situation throughout Iraq improving, although there is still much work to be done. In the near future, the GOT will open a Consulate General in Basra, a Turkish university will open a branch in Erbil, and the GOT is planning to expand its presence with a trade office in Baghdad. Turkish ministers are speaking with their Iraqi counterparts about joint projects. There is a dearth of safe and reliable business hotels in Iraq, but Ozyildiz has heard a Turkish firm is planning to construct one in Erbil. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey Jeffrey