US embassy cable - 04ANKARA3901

S E C R E T ANKARA 003901 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT. FOR NEA/NGA AND EUR/SE; BAGHDAD ALSO FOR MNF-I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2029 
TAGS: PTER, MARR, MOPS, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: IRAQ: TURKS ALLEGE US CONTACTS WITH PKK - REQUEST 
GUIDANCE TO RESPOND TO CLAIMS 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. ROBERT S. DEUTSCH, REASONS 1.4 B 
AND D. 
 
1. (U) Urgent Action Request at Para 3. 
 
2. (S/NF) On July 8, Turkish military officials passed 
Embassy via the Intelligence Fusion Cell a note (text to be 
provided septel via IIR from DAO Ankara) alleging that US 
officials held conversations with PKK leaders on June 17, 
offered to place an area of northern Iraq under the PKK's 
control, and asked to include PKK members in border guard 
units in the region.  The note also says that according to 
PKK-front Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party (KDSP) members, 
US officials knew that the KDSP was a PKK front, visited its 
offices, was in constant contact with the PKK and was capable 
of arresting senior PKK members, but did not intend to do so. 
 The note further alleges that up to 300 PKK members had been 
taken to Mosul by US soldiers for training.  And finally, it 
states that US officials invited the KDSP to July's National 
Conference in Baghdad. 
 
3. (S/NF) The charges made are extremely serious and could be 
explosive in Turkey if publicized.  ACTION REQUEST:  Embassy 
urgently requests guidance to respond to the contents of 
septel note. 
 
4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
DEUTSCH