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