US embassy cable - 05ISTANBUL1199

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 001199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, TU, Istanbul 
SUBJECT: ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH:  FRUSTRATED WITH GOT INERTIA 
 
REF: 04 ISTANBUL 1183 
 
Classified By: CG DAVID ARNETT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  In a July 11 introductory call with 
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Charge reaffirmed USG 
support for religious pluralism and freedom in Turkey, for 
the re-opening of the Halki seminary on Heybeli Island, and 
for Turkey's EU accession process as the best way forward for 
achieving progress on these issues.  Bartholomew expressed 
frustration with the GOT's lack of movement since December 17 
on the implementation of reforms, stating he would speak 
candidly in upcoming discussions with EU officials in 
Brussels, but agreed with Charge's assertion that continued 
deliberations within the EU framework would help, indicating 
he has no desire to derail that process.  Bartholomew shared 
his expectation that Pope Benedict would visit Turkey in late 
November.  He also conveyed profuse appreciation for USG 
assistance and advocacy.  End summary. 
 
2.  (C) In a July 11 introductory call with Ecumenical 
Patriarch Bartholomew hours before his departure to meet EU 
officials in Brussels, Charge reaffirmed USG support for 
religious pluralism and freedom in Turkey, for the re-opening 
of the Halki seminary on Heybeli Island, and for Turkey's EU 
accession process as the best way forward for achieving 
progress on these issues. 
 
Halki:  Simply No Political Will 
-------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conveyed profuse 
appreciation for continued U.S. support, joking that "after 
God, we have the United States Government."  But he expressed 
frustration with the continued closure of the Halki seminary, 
the lack of recognition of his ecumenical status, unresolved 
property issues, and other issues frustrating his community. 
He pointed out that these issues were explicitly mentioned in 
the EU progress report of October 2004, and must be 
addressed.  He said the Minister of Education stated last 
summer that Turkey's legal framework could accommodate the 
re-opening of Halki, and the Patriarch asserted that there 
was simply no political will to make a move in that 
direction.  He had hoped that any pre-October 3 move on Halki 
would have come during the summer, thus avoiding another lost 
academic year, but did not seem to hold out any faith of that 
happening.  He told Charge he would neither exaggerate nor 
minimize his community's current situation during July 11-12 
discussions with EU officials, including European Commission 
President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Enlargement Commissioner 
Ollie Rehn, but would "speak the truth" about the issues. 
 
GOT must understand its own interests 
------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Charge shared the Patriarch's frustration with the 
pace of implementation since December 17, stressed the 
importance of the EU process, and asked what specific, 
achievable steps the GOT could take in the near term to 
re-establish momentum in the reform process.  Bartholomew 
agreed with Charge's assertion that continued deliberations 
within the EU framework would help, indicating he has no 
desire to derail that process.  "We need to help (the 
government) understand its own interests," he said.  In 
response to Charge's query, however, he seemed at a loss as 
to what to suggest, given his perception of a complete lack 
of movement on implementation issues this year.  Upon his 
return from Brussels, he said, he will provide in written 
form the points covered there with his EU interlocutors. 
 
Pope Benedict to visit Turkey? 
------------------------------ 
 
5.  (C) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew confirmed to Charge 
that he invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit Istanbul and said 
he expects the visit will take place o/a November 30.  He 
stated that Charge should encourage the GOT to refrain from 
posing any obstacles to this visit, despite Pope Benedict's 
well known views on Turkey's candidacy for EU membership. 
The GOT should use such a visit to "convince" the Pope, he 
said, and to show him some "realities" in Turkey, including, 
he seemed to indicate by gesturing, his office and the 
Patriarchate building.  Sharing recent photographs he had 
taken with Pope Benedict, as well as earlier photographs with 
Pope John Paul II, Bartholomew said he had hoped for a visit 
from Pope John Paul last November (reftel) before the late 
Pope's health problems prevented him from traveling. 
ARNETT