US embassy cable - 04ROME3698

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003698 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, IT, TU, EUN 
SUBJECT: ITALY/TURKEY: CONFIDENT TURKEY WILL RECEIVE A 
"YES", BUT URGES US LOW PROFILE 
 
Classified By: A/DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN.  REASON: 1.5 (B)(D) 
 
1.  (C)  On September 23, MFA Director for Turkey/Cyprus 
Affairs Renato Ricci told poloff that while his government 
was still confident that Turkey would receive a "yes" on a 
date to begin EU accession negotiations at the December 
Council, recent moves to include criminalizing adultery in 
the country's penal code have given "a boost" to those in 
Europe who oppose Turkish membership, no matter how much 
progress Ankara makes on the Copenhagen Criteria. 
 
2.  (C) Ricci was particularly disappointed because in his 
view "everything had been going smoothly" for Turkish 
accession.  "The timing could not have been worse" for Ankara 
to propose such measures as part of its penal code.  "It is 
almost as if Ankara was trying to sabotage its own 
candidacy," he lamented.  The only rational explanation Ricci 
could see for the harsh tone of the penal code reform was 
that  reforms implemented to date, such as those dealing with 
torture, military participation in government and Kurdish 
human rights did not conflict with Islam.  Penal code 
provisions dealing with adultery do have a religious 
foundation, and the more fundamentalist members of the 
Turkish parliament may feel that EU pressure concerning such 
laws amount to interference in Turkey's internal affairs. 
Certainly the rhetoric of recent days between Ankara and 
certain member state officials would indicate that that is 
the trend, said Ricci. 
 
3. (C) Ricci was preparing for an internal MFA meeting "at 
the highest levels" on September 24 to discuss Italy's role 
in putting Turkish accession back on track.  One option under 
discussion was an invitation to PM Erdogan to visit Rome in 
October.  Ricci believes the approach taken by UK FM Straw 
was the best - a pragmatic view which focuses on the 
excellent progress made by Turkey on the Copenhagen Criteria 
thus far, without sentimental rhetoric or references to 
"culture clashes."  The Dutch Presidency would also be an 
ally in this approach. 
 
4.  (C) Ricci stressed that if Turkey was not given a date in 
December it would be "a historic opportunity lost," and 
result in Turkey slipping further and further into a 
theocracy.  HeQins somewhat optimistic, and predicted a 
forward leaning recommendation by the Commission, with many 
"buts," and a "yes" in December, but not unconditional.  He 
suggested that it was important for the United States to 
reiterate its views in the run-up to the December Council, 
but in a "quiet, low profile" manner.  Public statements by 
the USG criticizing the process in Brussels or views of 
individual member states would hinder, not help, Turkey's 
progress. 
 
 
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	2004ROME03698 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL