US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2143

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002143 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT. FOR EUR/SE AND NEA/NGA; BAGHDAD ALSO FOR CJTF-7 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2024 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: TURKEY THREATENS RETALIATION IF KDP CONTINUES TO 
"HARASS" TURKOMEN 
 
 
(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch.  Reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
 
1. (C) In a meeting on another subject, MFA DG for Mideast 
Affairs Burcuoglu complained to DCM about indiscriminate KDP 
detention of Turks/Turkomen in Iraq.  Burcuoglu gave the DCM 
a list of the Turkomen who are, to the best of GOT's 
knowledge, currently being held in Iraq.  One, Mr. Murat Ziya 
is listed as a Turkish citizen detained in Irbil since March 
20th 2004 "under the pretext of carrying photographs and 
CDs."  The other four are listed as Turkomen studying in 
Turkey.  They are Sabah Muhyettin Nurettin, Amir Cemal Kemal, 
Firnas Necmettin Hanci, and Mehmet Kenan.  The MFA nonpaper 
notes they are "Detainees since February 29th, 2004 under the 
pretext of carrying publications such as 'Turkmen Bohcasi,' 
'Kardeslik Dergisi' as well as books and computers."  (Note: 
the two publications can be informally translated as "Turkmen 
Bundle/Wrapper" and "Brotherhood Magazine." End note.) 
Burcuoglu noted that Turkey was weighing in on the students 
behalf because they were being held by Kurds in northern 
Iraq, with no one to protect or represent them.  He doubted 
their detentions were even reported to authorities in 
Baghdad, whom he implied were less biased than the Kurds. 
 
 
2. (C) The DCM noted that Ziya claimed he was not a Turkish 
citizen and, if he was, the Turkish embassy should renew its 
request for consular access.  Burcuoglu insisted Ziya was a 
Turkish citizen and strongly objected to the fact that GOT 
complaints in Baghdad had been referred to KDP Minister of 
Interior Sinjari in Irbil.  Burcuoglu noted that it was 
extremely difficult to make contact to Irbil via telephone 
and unsafe to travel there.  He noted the GOT had not been 
allowed to open any consulates in the north and therefore was 
only present in Baghdad.  In general Burcuoglu accused the 
KDP authorities in northern Iraq of "harassing" Turkomen and 
even Turkish diplomats traveling to Baghdad.  He said there 
was freedom of expression in Baghdad but the KDP was 
discriminating against Turks and Turkomen in northern Iraq. 
In the meantime the KDP was allowing the PKK/KADEK/Kongra Gel 
terrorists to operate freely in its jurisdiction while 
arresting Turkomen for having books and CDs that contained 
anti-Kurdish material.  The KDP continued to allow 
anti-Turkish material to circulate without reaction. 
 
 
3. (C) Burcuoglu said the GOT had reached the limits of its 
tolerance on this discrimination.  The government was getting 
complaints from families and from parliament and was prepared 
to retaliate if the situation was not rectified.  Burcuoglu 
blustered as to how the Turks might "retaliate in kind" 
against KDP supporters transiting Turkey. 
 
 
4. (C) DCM encouraged the GOT to discuss this problem with 
the KDP.  Burcuoglu questioned how that would work 
considering the Habur talks "were broken," and the Baghdad 
complaints were referred to Irbil.  For CPA, please advise on 
an appropriate response. 
 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN