US embassy cable - 04ANKARA1446

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001446 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES UPCOMING LOCAL 
ELECTIONS WITH OPPOSITION ANAP LEADER NAS 
 
 
 (U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman. Reason 1.4 (b,d). 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: In a March 2 meeting, Ambassador solicited 
opposition Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Nesrin Nas's views 
on March 28 local elections.  Throughout the discussion, Nas 
showed amazingly little concern for the poor showing she 
admitted her party would have, and offered no strategy for 
the party's revival.  End Summary. 
 
 
2. (C) During a lengthy monologue on local elections, newly 
installed ANAP Party leader Nas made the following points, as 
she indicated ANAP was doomed to a repeat of the party's last 
election cycle disaster: 
 
 
- Faced with certain failure on March 28, ANAP is trying to 
restructure "from scratch"; 
 
 
- In the last election, Justice and Development Party (AKP) 
candidates gave voters hope that a solution to Turkey's 
macroeconomic problems could be found.  Until a rival 
political party convinces voters it can reverse Turkey's 
deteriorating standard of living, AK will remain in power. 
ANAP has not found the solution; 
 
 
- AKP's success in the municipal elections will crush the 
main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), turning 
Turkey into a one political party state.  Election results 
 
 
3. (C) Dodging questions about ANAP's election strategy, Nas 
had surprisingly little hope and even less strategy for her 
party's revival, admitting "We're all shocked.  No one has 
the answers."  When pressed to discuss target voter bases or 
to explain how her party might go about winning back its AKP 
defectors, she surrendered: "We're staying away from 
Anatolia, we don't have a chance". 
 
 
4. (C) The political landscape after AKPs presumed election 
landslide, predicts Nas, will be marked by intense pressure 
from new mayors for funds to follow through on their campaign 
promises.  "So far AK has neglected to step forward on 
economic issues.  They won't be able to avoid it after the 
elections." 
 
 
5. (C) COMMENT: Nesrin Nas continues to demonstrate her 
political ineptitude and to underscore how out of touch ANAP 
has become with Anatolia.  END COMMENT. 
EDELMAN