USF-I COUNTER PKK ACTION PLAN

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000481 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2020 TAGS: IZ MARR PREL PTER TU SUBJECT: USF-I COUNTER PKK ACTION PLAN REF: A. ANKARA 267 B. ANKARA 268 C. EMAIL FEB 19 AMB JEFFREY TO AMB HILL Classified By: Acting PMA W.S. Reid for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: USF-I is drafting a joint action plan to recommend initiatives for the GOT and GOI to consider in combating the PKK following a visit to Ankara by USF-I Commanding General Ray Odierno on February 3. Turkish Ambassador to Iraq, Murat Ozcelik, on February 17 presented two action plans to both USF-I and KRG officials that the GOT hopes will be incorporated into the final USF-I draft plan. The main objective of the Turkish plan is the termination of the PKK presence in Northern Iraq as soon as possible. Post will report the final USF-I draft plan upon its completion septel. END SUMMARY. USF-I DRAFT ACTION PLAN -------------- ¶2. (S) Following a visit to Ankara by USF-I Commanding General Ray Odierno on February 3 (refs A and B),USF-I is drafting a joint action plan to improve counter-terrorism pressure on the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) operating out of Northern Iraq. During his meetings with high-level GOT officials, Odierno agreed that USF-I would draft a joint action plan that would immediately begin to address ways to stop the financial and logistics flow to the PKK as well as other more whole of government initiatives. Some of the desired effects of the USF-I draft plan include neutralizing PKK support networks, increasing collaboration between the GOT/GOI/KRG and preventing any unilateral military action by the GOT in Northern Iraq. Elements proposed by the Turkish Action Plans (outlined in following paragraphs) will be incorporated into the USF-I joint plan. The USF-I plan, currently being drafted, will be reported septel. Upon completion, the draft plan will be presented at the next Trilateral Working Group meeting to all participating members (GOI representatives, KRG representative and Turkish representatives). TURKISH ACTION PLANS -------------- ¶3. (S) On February 17, Turkish Ambassador Murat Ozcelik presented MG Steven Hummer (USF-I, J3 Operations) with two Turkish Actions Plans to counter the PKK. The first, "Action Plan of the Republic of Turkey" outlined objectives and measures to be taken immediately following the March 7 parliamentary elections. The objective of the plan is "Termination of the armed presence of the Kongra-Gel (PKK) terrorist organization in Northern Iraq as soon as possible." The main operational goals to meet the objective include: 1) "the elimination of operational capabilities and facilities of the terrorist organization," 2) "blocking the flow of logistical support," 3) "the termination of its liaison and communication facilities," and 4) "taking necessary measures with a view to preventing the liaison of the terrorist organization with its connections especially in Europe, regarding operational capabilities and communication with the international community/press." ¶4. (S) The plan outlines 11 measures through which the GOT hopes to achieve the objectives outlined above. The first measure calls for "messages strongly emphasizing that the Government of the Republic of Turkey acts resolutely together with the US Administration, Iraqi Central Government (GOI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and that the Qand the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and that the presence of any terrorist organization on Iraqi soils will not be tolerated should be disseminated the USA, the GOI and the KRG, to the terrorist organization and the wider public opinion." The other measures include 1) making use of all US and KRG human and signal intelligence sources, 2) applying psychological and physical pressure, 3) stricter controls at Erbil airport, 4) arresting those individuals currently in Iraq who have arrest warrants issued against them, 5) "real-time tracking" of PKK leadership movements, 6) implementing a propaganda campaign by the KRG to convince non-hardliners to "come down from the mountains," 7) confiscating all ammunition and weapons of the organization, 8) cutting off ties between the PKK and Makhmour Refugee Camp and returning those residents who wish to do so to Turkey, 9) cooperation with Syria, Iran and other governments whose citizens are a part of the PKK and 10) incorporating these measures into the joint US/Turkey action plan. (NOTE: Full texts of both plans have been sent to the Department and Embassy Ankara. END NOTE.) ¶5. (S) The second plan, entitled "Joint Action Plan", outlines "measures expected to be taken by the KRG after March 7, 2010." The Joint Action Plan includes nine measures to be taken by the KRG (which overlap with the first nine measures outlined in the Action Plan in para 3). Per a conversation with Ambassador Jeffrey in Ankara (ref C), Ozcelik stated that he presented this plan to KRG Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari at the end of last week. There has been no indications that either of these plans have been discussed with or presented by the GOT to the Iraqi central government. FORD