Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10COPENHAGEN49
2010-01-28 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:  

(C) NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ASKS FOR CONTINUED USG

Tags:  PREL PTER PINR TU DA 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCP #0049/01 0281323
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 281323Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5454
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0238
C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000049 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE, S/CT, EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2020
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR TU DA
SUBJECT: (C) NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ASKS FOR CONTINUED USG
SUPPORT ON ROJ-TV

REF: 09 COPENHAGEN 446

Classified By: Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000049

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE, S/CT, EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2020
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR TU DA
SUBJECT: (C) NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR ASKS FOR CONTINUED USG
SUPPORT ON ROJ-TV

REF: 09 COPENHAGEN 446

Classified By: Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Turkey's new Ambassador to Denmark Ahmet
Dibek requested continued USG assistance in getting Denmark
to engage on Turkish concerns about Roj-TV. He also spoke of
Turkish - Danish cooperation to facilitate integration of
Turkish immigrants to Denmark, and how these issues relate to
the democratization process in Turkey. Brief biographical
information on the Ambasssador is provided. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Turkey's new Ambassador to Denmark, Ahmet Berki
Dibek, paid an office call on Ambassador Fulton January 26.
Stressing Turkey's friendship with the US throughout the
meeting, he thanked the USG for its assistance in urging
Denmark to work with Turkey regarding its claims that Roj-TV,
which transmits from Denmark, is connected to the terrorist
PKK and incites terrorism in Turkey (reftel). Ambassador
Fulton replied that she was familiar with the issue and had
discussed it with US and Danish officials, including the
Prime Minister's Office last week. She said that as an
attorney, she understands Denmark's position that it needs
evidence to be able to evaluate whether Danish law has been
violated, and that there is sufficient evidence to succeed in
a Danish court, before proceeding to bring charges. She said
the position of the USG is to encourage the Danish
prosecuting attorneys to meet at the appropriate level with
people in Turkey to gather and receive evidence, and to
remind Denmark that this is an important issue to all three
countries, but without trying to direct Danish action.
Ambassador Dibek was appreciative of the US interest and
asked for continued assistance. He said Turked has provided
all the evidence, including DVDs of the broadcasts, and that
there is no more evidence to provide. He reported that Mr.
Sezgin, General Director for Security within the Turkish MFA,
and his deputy Mr. Aydin, were in town to meet with Danish
authorities; they had met the previous day with MFA Permanent
Secretary Claus Grube, and were meeting January 26 with the
Danish Intelligence and Security Service PET. He hoped the

Danes would now accelerate their process. He reported that
Danish MFA had indicated PET needs to weigh in because the
Danish courts would not give due weight to US or EU
determinations that the PKK is a terrorist organization.
Ambassador Fulton asked him to update her at the conclusion
of the visit of Messrs. Sezgin and Aydin.


3. (C) Ambassador Dibek stated that the largest immigrant
population in Denmark is Turkish (some 60,000 strong). He
said his government works closely with the Danish authorities
to help the Turkish immigrants integrate and become good
Danes. On January 25, Ambassador Dibek had attended the
opening of a new Turkish Islamic center. He said there are
26 imams in Denmark who were trained in Turkey's secular
system, hand-picked and sponsored by the Turkish Government
to live here in order to serve the spiritual needs of the
Turkish immigrant community and assist with their
integration. Ambassador Dibek acknowledged that there are
some problems with gangs in the immigrant community. He said
it is a priority to help young Turkish immigrants stay out of
gangs, and noted that a well-respected former Turkish police
officer is working with Danish police to help them find ways
to help the Turkish community avoid gangs. Ambassador Fulton
expressed interest in meeting with some of the immigrants and
visiting some of their centers to learns how they are working
with youth in particular.


4. (C) Ambassador Dibek referenced the arrests of some 250
persons in Turkey the previous week for perceived ties to Al
Qaeda. He acknowledged that while dozens would likely be
indicted, others would likely be released. He commented that
democratization is difficult while simultaneously fighting
terrorism. He affirmed the desire for close cooperation on
counterterrorism issues and said that Turkey had exchanged
information with the Danes the previous day and had invited
PET to Turkey.


5. (C) Ambassador Dibek said there are "three legs" that
are needed for successful democratization: (1) the terrorist
attacks have to be stopped; (2) there must be improved
individual rights for all persons; (3) the money needs to be
cut off that funds terrorist groups. He noted that
international terrorist groups have interconnections and
raise money abroad for attacks in home countries like Turkey.
He opined that European countries do not seem to understand
this interconnectedness, nor how to stop money laundering and
other terrorist funding schemes. He assessed that the PKK
fund-raising is not as strong as it used to be in Denmark:
where the PKK used to extort money from about 600 persons,
that number may now be down to 20 - 30. He referred to the

1,400 small businesses owned in Denmark by Turkish immigrants
as the targest for PKK extortion, but noted that the Danish
authorities have been helpful in bringing this under control.



6. (C) He added that cooperation between Turkey and Iraq on
PKK issues has improved since Masood Barzani has been
President of Iraqi Kurdistan. He also noted that Turkey has
survived the economic crisis, and its economy is growing.

7. (U) BIO: Prior to his current assignment, Ambassador
Ahmet Berki Dibek (born in Denizli on May 8, 1951) served as
Director General for Bilateral Political Affairs and Maritime
and Aviation Affairs (since October 2007). Earlier
assignments of note include Ambassador to Ireland (2003-2007)
and postings to Washington (1987-91),Chicago (1982-85),and
Havana (1980-82). He is married and a graduate of Ankara
University in political science.
FULTON