US embassy cable - 05ANKARA4653

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004653 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2025 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINS, TU 
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S CONVERSATION WITH RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS 
DIRECTORATE (DIYANET) CHAIRMAN BARDAKOGLU. 
 
REF: ISTANBUL 01333 
 
Classified By: (U) CDA Nancy McEldowney; E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) On August 8, Charge met with Directorate of Religious 
Affairs (Diyanet) Chairman Ali Bardakoglu.  Charge and 
Bardakoglu discussed a number of issues, including the 
importance of religious freedom and religious tolerance. 
Charge also inquired about the delayed opening of the 
Ecumenical Patriarch's youth summer camp on Kinali Island 
(Reftel).  Bardakoglu lamented the existence of the legal and 
bureaucratic struggles involving the patriarchate and 
admitted that these difficulties are undermining Turkey's 
image as an open and tolerant country.  However, he also 
asserted that the problem is not a religious freedom issue, 
but part of an "international chess game" involving "foreign 
influences and concerns," including US interests in Russia. 
The Charge brushed aside this assertion and told Bardakoglu 
that the opening of Halki Seminary would signify to the world 
that Turkey is truly an open and tolerant country. 
 
2. (C) Comment.  Bardakoglu's response to the Charge's 
inquiries on the patriarchate issue is unfortunately, all too 
typical of Turkish officials.  The Turks do not think of 
their Greek orthodox residents as Turkish citizens, but as 
agents of foreign influence.  They also believe that USG 
interest in the issue is rooted in either US domestic 
politics or international political maneuverings and not due 
to a genuine interest in religious freedom.  End Comment. 
MCELDOWNEY