US embassy cable - 05ANKARA1667

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001667 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN, OFAC AND A/S ZARATE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2010 
TAGS: PTER, KTFN, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: TERRORISM DISCUSSION WITH MFA 
 
 
Classified By: DCM ROBERT C. DEUTSCH FOR REASONS 
1. 4(B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) Summary: In a wide-ranging discussion of terrorism and 
terror finance issues, recently-appointed DG of Security 
Affairs Guven expressed appreciation of past USG cooperation 
against terrorism and looked forward to more of the same.  He 
expressed frustration with EU countries' weak and ineffective 
cooperation against the PKK, took the point not to release 
Uzbek terrorist Ibragimov, and hoped that the new Iraqi 
government would be on the lookout for PKK leaders.  On 
terrorism finance he worried about the possibility that 
Turkish courts would find in favor of UN-designated 
terrorists whose assets have been frozen in Turkey.  End 
Summary. 
 
2. (C)  Ambassador Hayati Guven, the new Director General for 
Security Affairs, and two of his staff met with DCM, econoff 
and poloff, in a wide-ranging discussion of terrorism-related 
issues.  Guven,s Directorate, formerly known as Intelligence 
and Research, has responsibility for terrorism, including 
terrorism finance, as well as narcotics, and allegations of 
genocide against Armenians. 
 
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Uzbek Terrorist: 
-------------------- 
 
3. (C ) Regarding Uzbek terrorist Oybeck Ibragimov,  DCM 
emphasized importance of not releasing him, noting that in 
the past released members of this group had gone back to 
terrorist activities.  Guven kept referring to the problems 
the GOT has had with the European Court of Human Rights which 
has objected in the past to the GOT turning people over to 
Uzbekistan.  To Guven,s surprise, his subordinate Celal 
Dogan had attended meetings with MOJ officials at which they 
implied the Uzbek might be released.  Guven seemed concerned 
but insisted he thought it very unlikely Ibragimov would be 
released.   DCM stressed our hope that he not simply be 
released and our willingness to assist if necessary.  We are 
continuing our engagement to try to prevent release. 
 
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PKK in Europe: 
------------------- 
 
4. (C)  Guven expressed appreciation for US efforts to help 
Turkey with the PKK.  On Roj TV in Denmark, Guven and Celal 
said the focus of their efforts in trying to convince the 
Danes that the station should be closed has been on the 
content of the broadcasts being an incitement to violence 
(basically the PKK message).  The DCM suggested they might 
also consider making the case based on ownership and 
financing sources that the station is linked to terrorist 
groups.  He also suggested the Turkish Embassy may wish to 
discuss the issue with the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen. 
 
5. (C) More broadly, Guven described the problems the GOT has 
with Western European countries.  In a case in Norway, the 
Ministry of Justice is hesitating about extraditing Nouriyeh 
Karbir to Turkey, despite a high court ruling in Turkey,s 
favor.  Germany has released Remzi Kartal, despite his being 
wanted in Turkey.  Fehriye Erdal, the Turkish woman who 
assassinated Ozdemir Sabanci in Istanbul is in Belgium and 
has not been turned over to Turkey. 
 
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PKK in Iraq: 
--------------- 
 
6. (C) Guven informed that list of PKK officials has been 
sent to Baghdad and the GOT expects the new Iraqi gov,t, 
once formed, to take this list into consideration.  Guven 
claimed Osman Ocalan had been sighted in Baghdad. 
 
------------------- 
Terror Finance: 
------------------- 
 
7. (C) Guven noted that the impending changes to Turkish law 
would explicitly define the financing of terrorism as a 
crime.  He made a general complaint that the UN did not 
provide sufficient background information on 1267 
designations, saying his Minister always asks for more 
information when proposing a decree to the Council of 
Ministers that would freeze any assets in Turkey. 
 
8. (C) Guven mentioned the legal cases (Al-Kadi and 
Nasreddin) in Turkey that could go against the Government for 
freezing these names, assets without evidence sufficient to 
stand up in court. 
 
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Narcotics: 
------------ 
 
9. (C) Econoff mentioned the Paris Pact (countries combating 
flow of drugs from Afghanistan) and asked whether Turkey 
would host a meeting later this year, as expected. Guven was 
open to it, but did not seem to be familiar with the issue. 
 
10. (C) Guven also talked about the importance of Turkey 
being reelected to the UNODC Board in Vienna.  He ted that 
Spain had now put forward its candidacy, the third from an EU 
country.  He said this had the potential to jeopardize 
Turkey,s candidacy, despite Turkey being much more directly 
affected by narcotics flows, especially from Aghanistan. 
 
Baghdad Minimize Considered. 
EDELMAN