US embassy cable - 93STATE220237

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 220237 
 
 
E.O. 12356:  DECL:  OADR 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, TU, AM 
SUBJECT:  PKK SUPPORT FROM ARMENIAN SOURCES 
 
REF: ADANA 369 
 
1.  CONFIDENTIAL- ENTIRE TEXT 
 
2.  DEPARTMENT HAS SEEN REPORTS OF PRIVATE ARMENIAN 
SUPPORT FOR THE PKK. 
 
3.  THIS IS CAUSE OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT.  AS THE 
PKK IS A KNOWN TERRORIST GROUP, ANY TYPE OF ARMENIAN 
SUPPORT FOR THE PKK WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT INTERNATIONAL 
OPINION OF ARMENIA AND ARMENIAN CAUSES.  ARMENIAN CONTACTS 
WITH THE PKK WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES FOR GOA 
RELATIONS WITH TURKEY.  IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE 
TURKISH PUBLIC WILL FAIL TO MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN 
PRIVATE ARMENIAN EFFORTS TO HELP THE PKK AND OFFICIAL GOA 
BACKING OF THE PKK. 
 
4.  DEPARTMENT WOULD APPRECIATE AN EMBASSY REPORT ON 
POSSIBLE PKK-ARMENIAN LINKS, AND ASKS EMBASSY YEREVAN TO 
CONTINUE MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND TO KEEP US 
INFORMED.  WE WANT TO WEIGH IN FIRMLY WITH YEREVAN IF 
THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF TRAINING, SANCTUARY OR EVIDENCE 
OF AID FOR THE PKK MATERIALIZING IN ARMENIA.  WE WILL OF 
COURSE, HOLD OFF MENTIONING THIS TO THE TURKS UNTIL WE 
HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE ARMENIANS. 
 
5.  ON A SEPARATE TOPIC, DEPARTMENT WOULD APPRECIATE 
EMBASSY'S INSIGHTS ON PRESIDENT TER-PETROSYAN'S ATTENDANCE 
OF ASALA MAMBER MONTE MELKONIAN'S FUNERAL.  WHAT ARE THE 
IMPLICATIONS OF TER-PETROSYAN'S PRESENCE?  IS ASALA 
REGARDED AS A LEGITIMATE ENTITY IN ARMENIA?  PRESIDENT 
TER-PETROSYAN'S PRESENCE AT THE FUNERAL OF A KNOWN ASALA 
TERRORIST IS LIKELY TO INFLAME TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION AND 
COULD SERVE AS ANOTHER EXCUSE TO POSTPONE NORMALIZATION OF 
TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS.  WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY LIGHT 
EMBASSY CAN SHED ON TER-PETROSYAN'S MOTIVATION IN 
ATTENDING THE FUNERAL, THE GOA VIEW OF DIASPORA ARMENIANS 
WITH TERRORIST CONNECTIONS, AND GOA ACTIONS, IF ANY, TO 
REASSURE THE TURKS ON THIS MATTER. 
 
CHRISTOPHER