US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6808

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006808 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, TU, IZ 
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: MOVING AHEAD WITH TRILATERAL PKK 
TALKS 
 
REF: A. STATE 201785 
 
     B. BAGHDAD 1827 AND PREVIOUS 
     C. ANKARA 6675 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman for reasons 1.4 (b), (d), and 
 (g). 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see para. four. 
 
2. (C) Ref a instructed Embassies Baghdad and Ankara to 
approach the IIG and GOT, respectively, to initiate 
trilateral (U.S., Turkey, Iraq) talks on a joint approach to 
dealing with the PKK/Kongra-Gel's continuing presence in 
Iraq.  We understand from ref b reporting that MFA Under 
Secretary Biyati will represent the IIG at these talks.  He 
 
SIPDIS 
indicated during his visit here that he was prepared to move 
ahead for talks on the PKK. 
 
3. (C) During the DCM's Dec. 7 courtesy call on incoming MFA 
Director General for the Middle East Oguz Celikkol, Celikkol 
said that he believes these talks will take place in Ankara, 
but no date has been specified.  He urged that the USG 
provide "high-level participation from Washington" for these 
talks. 
 
4. (C) Action request for Washington and Baghdad: The absence 
of movement on the PKK continues to roil Turkey's perception 
of developments in Iraq and its relationship with the U.S. 
It would be timely, now that the trucking security forum is 
established, to move forward towards the first PKK 
trilateral.  The Turks will see this as at least some 
indication that we stand by our earlier commitment.  Earlier 
bilaterals on this subject were chaired at the EUR DAS and 
S/CT level.  The equivalent representation from Washington as 
well as senior Embassy Baghdad and MNF-I representation would 
demonstrate our political will on this issue.  End action 
request. 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
EDELMAN