PKK TERRORISM - SYRIAN CONNECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 02993

E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PTER PREL SW SY
SUBJECT: PKK TERRORISM - SYRIAN CONNECTION


1. CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.


2. ROLF GAUFFIN, SWEDEN'S AMBASSADOR IN DAMASCUS,
TOLD DCM RECENTLY THAT AN ARAB NATIVE WITH A CLAIM
TO SWEDISH PERMANENT RESIDENCY HAD WALKED INTO THE
SWEDISH EMBASSY IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS TO SEEK REPATRI-
ATION. THE PERSON SAID HE HAD BEEN IN TRAINING AT THE
PKK CAMP IN THE BIQA BUT HAD BECOME DISAFFECTED AND
WANTED TO RETURN TO SWEDEN. GAUFFIN IS ARRANGING FOR
HIS DEPARTURE.


3. GAUFFIN SAID HE WAS APPREHENSIVE OF THE SYRIAN
REACTION TO HIS HANDLING SUCH A CASE, ESPECIALLY WITH
THE PKK CONNECTION. HE, THEREFORE, ALERTED THE
POLITICAL SECURITY DIVISION TO ASSURE THEY KNEW THE
WHOLE STORY. THE PSD REPLY LED GAUFFIN TO BELIEVE
THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF HIS "WALK-IN" AND HAD NO
INTENTION OF INTERFERING. THIS EPISODE ALSO CONFIRMED
FOR GAUFFIN THAT THE SYRIANS DO KEEP TABS ON COMINGS
AND GOINGS IN THE BIQA.


4. IN VIEW OF HIS RECENT EXPOSURE TO THE PKK AND
SYRIAN COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, THE DEPARTMENT MIGHT BE
INTERESTED IN CONTACTING THE GOS TO SEE IF A DEBRIEF-
ING WITH THE EX PKK TRAINEE MIGHT BE ARRANGED.

DJEREJIAN