US embassy cable - 05ANKARA2900

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002900 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, US, EU, TU 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO GOT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS 
TOLERANCE 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 83768 
 
     B. ANKARA 2840 
 
Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman; reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (U) The Ambassador delivered reftel A points May 18 to MFA 
U/S Tuygan, reiterating points raised by EUR DAS Kennedy 
during her May 3 visit to Ankara.  He emphasized that PM 
Erdogan and FM Gul should be prepared to discuss human rights 
issues during their upcoming visit to Washington. 
 
2. (C) Tuygan acknowledged that the GOT's failure to name a 
lead EU negotiator had created the appearance of stagnation 
in Turkey's EU candidacy.  He said the failure is due to a 
political conflict between Erdogan and Gul.  Nevertheless, he 
insisted the GOT is committed to EU membership and is 
pressing ahead on all fronts. 
 
3. (C) Tuygan said the Turkish Parliament is expected to pass 
three comprehensive new laws -- the Penal Code, the Criminal 
Procedure Code, and the Execution of Punishments Law -- by 
June 1.  He averred that adoption of the legislation should 
bolster Turkey's EU candidacy.  The Ambassador noted that 
concerns had been raised about some of the last-minute 
amendments to the laws, which would apparently scale back 
some of the rights established in the original drafts (reftel 
B).  He urged the GOT to remove language from the reasoning 
attached to the Penal Code that would appear to punish 
controversial speech regarding Cyprus and Armenia.  If the 
language is left intact, it will generate political 
controversy that could overshadow positive elements of the 
legislation. 
 
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Comment 
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4. (C) Tuygan's claim that the GOT, despite appearances, 
continues to make good progress on the EU front is a standard 
refrain these days.  However, close contacts in the 
bureaucracy tell us there has not been a coordinated GOT 
approach to EU reform since the December Summit.  While 
individual offices may be making preparations for the October 
start of negotiations, the GOT's Secretariat General for EU 
Affairs has not met with other ministries since the Summit to 
coordinate reform efforts.  We hope that the GOT will soon 
appoint an EU negotiator who can demonstrate leadership and 
inject life into the process. 
 
 
EDELMAN