US embassy cable - 05ANKARA6865

S E C R E T ANKARA 006865 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, PREL, IZ, PKK 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST:  KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION 
PARTY 
 
REF: A. STATE 205566 (NOTAL) 
     B. BAGHDAD 4626 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JANICE G. WEINER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, 
D) 
 
1.  (S) Poloff delivered ref a demarche to MFA Iraq 
Department Head Avni Botsali on November 10.  Botsali said 
the MFA had already issued instructions to its Baghdad 
embassy to engage the IECI on the issue of PKK front parties 
and planned to do so as well with the Iraqi embassy in 
Ankara.  In terms of providing evidence on the Kurdistan 
Democratic Solution Party (PCDK) and other potential PKK 
fronts, Botsali promised to get back to us.  He later 
referred us to the MFA Directorate General for Security 
Affairs. 
 
2.  (S) Poloff followed up November 21 with MFA Security 
Affairs Deputy DG Avni Bicakli, who told us an interagency 
group was still developing information on the PCDK.  Noting 
we had heard the GOT was concerned about two parties 
registered for the December 15 elections in Iraq, Poloff 
asked if the GOT had identified the second party.  Bicakli 
immediately spoke by telephone with a contact in the Turkish 
National Intelligence Service (TNIO), who confirmed that the 
TNIO had been following a certain "Democratic Union Party" 
(acronym PYD) but it appears this party has not/not 
registered for the elections.  Hence, the GOT remains focused 
on the PCDK. 
 
3.  (S) Reiterating ref a points, Poloff told Bicakli it is 
crucial that the GOT quickly furnish evidence linking the 
PCDK to the PKK directly to the IECI in Baghdad; we would try 
to assist where possible.  Bicakli understood, expressed 
appreciation for U.S. efforts on this, and promised to remain 
in touch. 
MCELDOWNEY