[Australia]: Message to Turkey [SEC=TOP SECRET]

[Owen]

​

FIRST ASSISTANT SECRETARY, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA DIVISION​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET​

5 February 2009

Dear Ambassador Kural, I have been asked by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to request a meeting of you at the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade's head office (R.G. Casey Building), located on the other side of Parliament House to the Turkish Embassy. Please enter from the John McEwen Crescent side rather than State Circle. This is in regards to the deteriorating security situation inside Turkey. Yours sincerely, David Ritchie.

R.G. Casey Building, BARTON, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6261 1111​

Protective Marking:	Business Impact Level:	Compromise of Information Confidentiality:	Required to be Encrypted:
UNOFFICIAL	No Business Impact	No damage. This information does not form part of official duty.
OFFICIAL	Low Business Impact	No or insignificant damage. This is the majority of routine information.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive	Low to Medium Business Impact	Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised.
PROTECTED	High Business Impact	Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
SECRET	Extreme Business Impact	Serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.
TOP SECRET	Catastrophic Business Impact	Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals.

Jay

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: David Ritchie < Owen > [Sender]: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye < korhan.kuralAU@db.tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Re: Meeting Request – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dear Mr. Ritchie, Thank you for your email. I acknowledge receipt of your request and appreciate the Minister's invitation to meet at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I will attend the meeting at the R.G. Casey Building as requested, and I will be accompanied by my Chief Secretary, Mr. Şükrü Özyıldız, and Political Affairs Aide, Ms. Elif Denizer. I look forward to discussing the current security situation and exchanging views on matters of mutual concern. Yours sincerely, Korhan Kural Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye 6 Moonah Place, Yarralumla ACT 2600 Canberra, Australia E: korhan.kural@turkiye.org.au T: +61 2 6273 9300

Ambassador Korhan Kural sat quietly in the rear of the armored Range Rover as it drove through Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle. Beyond the tinted windows, the broad lawns the silhouette of Parliament House, its towering flagpole standing against the morning sky. The journey from the Turkish Embassy to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would take only four minutes.

Across from him sat his Chief Secretary, Mr. Şükrü Özyıldız, a leather portfolio open across his lap. Beside him, Political Affairs Aide Ms. Elif Denizer reviewed briefing notes in her folder, occasionally highlighting passages for later discussion.

"As of twenty minutes ago," Şükrü began, breaking the silence, "Ankara reports that the situation in Ankara and Izmir is under control. Several arrests have been made but nothing definitive. We have been advised that the Prime Minister has requested that the President declare a state of emergency and that the President's Office is preparing to make the announcement soon. The Interior Ministry officials assess that TAK elements remain active in the capital, Izmir, Istanbul, Konya, and Adana despite recent arrests, while intelligence continues to link logistical support back to PKK networks operating across the border. We are told to not confirm anything regarding a state of emergency until the President makes his address."

Korhan nodded, absorbing it. He looked back at Şükrü taking his attention away from the window. "Any indication this is connected to why DFAT requested the meeting?"

"Nothing explicit," Şükrü replied. "Only that Canberra appears increasingly concerned about the broader security picture. Likely they are thinking about the potential implications for Australians in Türkiye."

Elif looked up from her folder. "The station chief asked that I also raise the issue of Australia taking more efforts to tackle the PKK and its use of communal financing through the Kurdish diaspora. He's identified Renas Lelikan, an Australian national, as a person of interest he'd like Australia to investigate." She handed him a brief bio which Korhan read.

"Well we are here." Kordan said as the Range Rover rounded the final bend, Parliament House receding behind them as the angular façade of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's R.G. Casey Building came into view. The vehicle slowed before the designated entrance on John McEwen Crescent. Korhan stepped from the vehicle, adjusted his suit jacket, and, accompanied by Şükrü Özyıldız and Elif Denizer, proceeded through the entrance as instructed.

Owen