US embassy cable - 05ANKARA4795

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004795 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2025 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, PREL, PTER, TU, PKK 
SUBJECT: JUSTICE MINISTER CICEK VOWS COOPERATION ON TERROR 
FINANCE, CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST PKK 
 
REF: ANKARA 04622 
 
Classified By: (U) CDA Nancy McEldowney; E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 3. 
 
2. (C) During an August 10 meeting with Charge, Turkish 
Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek stressed the desire of the 
GOT to cooperate with the U.S. on counterterrorism issues, 
including counterterrorism financing.  The Minister expects 
the Turkish parliament to pass a new anti-terrorism financing 
law after the parliament reconvenes on October 1.  The Charge 
welcomed the recent decision by Cicek and the Finance 
Minister to propose to the Council of Ministers that the GOT 
accept the USG's offer to form a joint U.S.-Turkish 
counterterrorism financing working group (REFTEL).  The 
Charge also expressed her desire to expand MOJ-DOJ exchanges 
and training programs. 
 
3. (C) Cicek invited U.S. Attorney General Gonzales to visit 
Turkey.  Cicek visited the U.S. about two years ago and met 
with U.S. Attorney General Ashcroft.  Cicek believes that 
high level visits between justice ministers help to 
facilitate cooperation at lower levels within the ministries. 
 (Action request: We request that the Department convey 
Cicek,s invitation to the DOJ and inform us of the response. 
 End action request.) 
 
4. (C) Cicek asserted that the lack of U.S. action against 
the PKK is creating an anti-American atmosphere in Turkey. 
Because of this, Cicek claimed that America's friends in 
Turkey -- a group in which he included himself -- are having 
a difficult time defending the U.S.  He encouraged the USG to 
pressure KDP leader Barzani to take steps against the PKK in 
northern Iraq.  The Charge noted the history of U.S.-GOT 
cooperation against the PKK and highlighted the importance of 
the U.S. and Turkey working together with our European 
friends to close down PKK-connected organizations in Europe. 
 
5. (C) Comment.  Although polite, Cicek was clearly tense 
during the meeting.  He started the meeting by stating that 
"our American friends are making us tired."  As a founding 
member of center-right ANAP in 1983 and a state minister in 
former PM Ozal's governments during the 1980s, Cicek 
considers himself one of the more pro-American ministers in 
AKP.  Although he has complained about the lack of US action 
against the PKK before in meetings with senior U.S. 
officials, his demeanor in this meeting reflected the growing 
tensions on the PKK issue and the universal expectation of 
some USG action against the PKK in northern Iraq.  Cicek 
repeated what has now become the mantra, i.e. "kinetic" 
military action is not essential in the near term, but some 
demonstration of our bona fides is.  End Comment. 
MCELDOWNEY