US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2013

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002013 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, KDEM, TU 
SUBJECT: PDAS RIES DISCUSSIONS WITH TURKEY ON EU ACCESSION 
BID 
 
(U) Classified by ADCM Scot Marciel for Reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 
 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: In March 31 Ankara meetings, EUR/PDAS Charlie 
Ries 1) discussed opportunities for U.S. support of Turkey's 
EU candidacy and 2) encouraged a renewed GOT emphasis on 
meeting Copenhagen criteria.  Ries noted that high profile 
solutions including, e.g., reopening Halki Seminary, removing 
restrictions on minority religious and linguistic freedoms, 
judicial modernization and resolution of the Leyla Zana case, 
would help the EU find a way to say yes to Turkey. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
 
2. (C) Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy 
Chairman for Research and Development Reha Denemec pointed to 
recent progress in Cyprus and to AKP-championed legislative 
action as proof of his party's "sincere" commitment to EU 
accession.  According to Denemec, the AKP-lead GOT will do 
all it can to meet the Copenhagen criteria. Denemec asserted 
that even if some reforms are delayed, Turkey has earned a 
date based on its demonstrated commitment to reform.  Denemec 
noted that a date to begin negotiations would strengthen 
confidence and encourage further reform.  Comment: Denemec 
lacked specific details about Turkey's EU accession efforts. 
 
 
3. (C) According to Burhan Kuzu, AK MP and Parliamentary 
Constitution Committee Chairman, "Except for a few details, 
Turkey has almost completed implementing the EU criteria." 
Like Denemec, Kuzu points to pre-EU Spain as an example for 
Turkey's accession hopes, "I know the EU process well and I 
remember the accession of Spain -- I can tell you that the 
conditions in Spain were not close to Turkey's current 
condition.  If Turkey is not given a date in December, 
there's nothing we can do to gain the EU's confidence."  Kuzu 
warned that failure at the EU's December summit will likely 
reverse any progress Turkey has already made toward 
implementing EU accession criteria. 
 
 
4. (C) Irish Ambassador Sean Whelan characterized the EU's 
upcoming Regular Report on Turkey as a "big wakeup call" for 
Turkish accession aspirations.  "The report will take a hard 
line on human rights," Whelan noted. "Police brutality and 
unfair market practices are still common."  Whelan asserted 
that the GOT's "instinctive approach" to EU accession is 
typical but off-base, "The Turks are telling the EU that 
they'll fix their problems once they get a date.  We're 
telling the Turks that they need to fix their problems before 
they get a date."  Still, Whelan opines that there is a broad 
consensus growing in the EU and it looks good for Turkey. 
 
 
5. (C) Ambassador Murat Sungar, Head of the Secretariat 
General for EU Affairs, observed that even if Turkey doesn't 
get a date, "We made changes that are good for the country." 
Echoing Ambassador Whelan's observations, Sungar admitted 
that: "Turkey still has a long way to go and implementation 
is a problem." Sungar noted that the Turkish judiciary will 
be the biggest domestic obstacle to reform - particularly in 
relation to revamping the criminal justice system.  However, 
Sungar contends, if the negotiations begin, many problems 
"will evaporate."  Sungar asserts that failure in December 
will have serious repercussions on public perception of EU 
accession aspirations. 
 
 
6. (C) As in previous meetings, Ries stressed to Volkan 
Bozkir, MFA Deputy U/S for EU Relations, U.S. support for 
Turkish accession. The more Turkey accomplishes in upcoming 
months, Ries noted, the more effective U.S. assistance will 
be.  Bozkir replied that the GOT is in regular contact with 
the Commission and fully understands Commission expectations. 
 However, he warned, some reforms such as the planned 
amendments to Turkey's penal code, while desirable, may not 
be accomplished this year for bureaucratic reasons. The GOT 
is working toward a solution to the Halki seminary issue, 
abolishment of State Security Courts, and Kurdish 
broadcasting rights, possible hurdles Ries noted.  The case 
of Leyla Zana and three other Kurdish former MPs was returned 
to the original judge who refused to release her since the 
charges related to contacts with a terrorist group.  If it 
were up to the GOT, Bozkir asserted, Zana would have been 
released long ago.  The problem with providing legal status 
to religious foundations is the fear that this could lead to 
the introduction of radical Islamic organizations that would 
violate Turkey's secular nature. 
 
 
7. (C) Bozkir noted that U.S. support for Turkey's EU 
ambitions was key to Turkey's success at the December 2002 EU 
summit.  Bozkir asked for continued support and requested the 
U.S. intervene with Austria, the Scandinavian countries, the 
Netherlands and new Member States.  However, Bozkir suggested 
it might be best for the U.S. not to lobby Germany and 
France.  According to Bozkir, Germany changed its position 
and now is working with Turkey quite effectively.  Opposition 
CDU/CSU leader Angela Merkel's position has been evolving as 
well since her visit.  She is no longer blocking AK observers 
to the European Parliament.  Austria still has difficulties, 
but will not block a consensus if it sees itself as isolated. 
 The Dutch government is split but will be required to seek 
consensus in its upcoming EU Presidency role.  Bozkir is 
concerned about Poland's position, but early conversations 
have been quite positive. 
 
 
8. (C) Bozkir reported that the GOT has created and funded an 
"EU Communications Group" of government officials, MPs, civil 
society and university participants to engage public opinion 
makers throughout all 25 EU member states.  A delegation from 
this group will travel to France.  The PM and FM continue to 
travel extensively.  MPs from the Foreign Affairs, Human 
Rights, and EU Committees and bilateral intra-parliamentary 
relations groups were also traveling constantly.  Turkey is 
additionally facilitating the visits of officials and MPs 
from EU member states.  AK has forged close relations with 
the EPP group in the European Parliament. 
 
 
9. (U) EUR/PDAS Ries did not have the opportunity to clear 
this cable. 
EDELMAN