PKK SUPPORT FROM ARMENIAN SOURCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 220237 E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR TAGS: PTER PREL TU AM SUBJECT: PKK SUPPORT FROM ARMENIAN SOURCES REF: ADANA 369 ¶1. CONFIDENTIAL- ENTIRE TEXT ¶2. DEPARTMENT HAS SEEN REPORTS OF PRIVATE ARMENIAN SUPPORT FOR THE PKK. ¶3. THIS IS CAUSE OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT. AS THE PKK IS A KNOWN TERRORIST GROUP, ANY TYPE OF ARMENIAN SUPPORT FOR THE PKK WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT INTERNATIONAL OPINION OF ARMENIA AND ARMENIAN CAUSES. ARMENIAN CONTACTS WITH THE PKK WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES FOR GOA RELATIONS WITH TURKEY. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE TURKISH PUBLIC WILL FAIL TO MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN PRIVATE ARMENIAN EFFORTS TO HELP THE PKK AND OFFICIAL GOA BACKING OF THE PKK. ¶4. DEPARTMENT WOULD APPRECIATE AN EMBASSY REPORT ON POSSIBLE PKK-ARMENIAN LINKS, AND ASKS EMBASSY YEREVAN TO CONTINUE MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND TO KEEP US INFORMED. WE WANT TO WEIGH IN FIRMLY WITH YEREVAN IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF TRAINING, SANCTUARY OR EVIDENCE OF AID FOR THE PKK MATERIALIZING IN ARMENIA. WE WILL OF COURSE, HOLD OFF MENTIONING THIS TO THE TURKS UNTIL WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE ARMENIANS. ¶5. ON A SEPARATE TOPIC, DEPARTMENT WOULD APPRECIATE EMBASSY'S INSIGHTS ON PRESIDENT TER-PETROSYAN'S ATTENDANCE OF ASALA MAMBER MONTE MELKONIAN'S FUNERAL. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF TER-PETROSYAN'S PRESENCE? IS ASALA REGARDED AS A LEGITIMATE ENTITY IN ARMENIA? PRESIDENT TER-PETROSYAN'S PRESENCE AT THE FUNERAL OF A KNOWN ASALA TERRORIST IS LIKELY TO INFLAME TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION AND COULD SERVE AS ANOTHER EXCUSE TO POSTPONE NORMALIZATION OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY LIGHT EMBASSY CAN SHED ON TER-PETROSYAN'S MOTIVATION IN ATTENDING THE FUNERAL, THE GOA VIEW OF DIASPORA ARMENIANS WITH TERRORIST CONNECTIONS, AND GOA ACTIONS, IF ANY, TO REASSURE THE TURKS ON THIS MATTER. CHRISTOPHER