US embassy cable - 05ANKARA5951

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR R, PA AND EUR/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2015 
TAGS: PA, PGOV, PINS, PREL, TU, KISL 
SUBJECT: HOW TO TALK TO TURKS: THREE PROTOTYPICAL 
INTERLOCUTORS 
 
REF: ANKARA 5496 
 
Classified by CDA Nancy E. McEldowney; reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (C) Summary: Our Turkish interlocutors can roughly be 
divided into three groups: elites; players; and "real Turks". 
 USG officials generally find themselves speaking with elites 
(western-oriented decision makers or aspiring decision 
makers), who appear to share their views in order to be 
polite and avoid conflict.  Players (people with influence 
but not decision makers) tend to deliver long monologues to 
"win" the conversation, but if we listen and ask questions, 
the result can be an informative exchange.  Real Turks (the 
proverbial man-on-the-street) respond to a compassionate, 
humanistic approach -- Emboffs have made a real impact by 
meeting with family members of Turks killed by terrorists, 
supporting Turkish charities, and simply visiting people in 
rural Anatolia.  End Summary. 
 
 
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ELITES, PLAYERS, AND "REAL TURKS" 
--------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) Over the years, we have noticed three generic types of 
Turkish interlocutors.  The first, elites, are skilled at 
talking to Westerners.  They often speak excellent English, 
have lived or studied abroad, and have extensive experience 
working and communicating with foreigners.  Many Turkish 
elites -- including MFA officials, senior military officers, 
and senior executives in large business conglomerates -- fall 
into this category.  In conversations with foreigners, they 
bend over backwards to be polite and agreeable, and fashion 
themselves and Turkey as part of the West.  They emphasize 
the importance of Turkey's secular democratic tradition and 
long-running alliance with the U.S. and other NATO countries. 
 They view themselves as the Ataturkist face of Turkey -- a 
face that is gradually becoming a faade as democratization 
progresses and "real Turks," concerns in particular start to 
take center stage. 
 
3. (C) The second type we refer to as the players.  Many 
members of Parliament, most journalists, many working-level 
bureaucrats, and regional political party officials fall into 
this category.  Many have influence, although they are not 
decision makers.  Whatever their political party affiliation, 
these individuals tend to subscribe to hard-line 
nationalistic views on a variety of foreign policy issues. 
Players see political conversations with foreigners as a game 
in which their goal is to score points.  Players win the game 
by bombarding the listener with accusations, dominating the 
conversation, or eliciting emotional responses.  They are not 
initially interested in a serious exchange of ideas, do not 
appear to listen well, and are prone to endless monologues. 
Players can sometimes be rude.  They will vigorously defend 
Turkey, while attack the U.S. and the EU.  They are 
ideological thinkers, passionately attached to pre-set 
conclusions.  Players often lack the ability to distinguish 
between competing explanations for political events, and are 
susceptible to a wide variety of conspiracy theories.  They 
provide a window into the mindset of mid-level bureaucrats 
who are the cogs that make the government wheels turn and 
allow the elites to continue to function. 
 
4. (C) The third type is "real Turks".  Real Turks are the 
backbone of Turkey.  They are taxi drivers, small 
businessmen, farmers, teachers, blue collar workers, 
policemen on the beat, and service industry workers.  For the 
most part, these individuals have limited contact with 
foreigners, speak little or no English, and derive most of 
their information from television.  Although real Turks are 
often patriotic, they also often feel alienated from the 
Turkish elite, especially the traditional political class (as 
opposed the current AKP government) whom they generally 
distrust and view as incompetent and corrupt.  Economic 
issues, especially unemployment, and their families, welfare 
are their primary concerns.  The PKK threat, moreover, 
directly affects real Turks because they are the primary 
victims of PKK terrorism.  The battalions of Turkish soldiers 
serving in the southeast are largely conscripts draw from 
families without the power or influence of elites or players. 
 Middle and lower-class families fear the loss of their young 
men fulfilling their compulsory military service.  Their 
concerns feed the conspiracy theories of the players and 
create inconvenient realities for the elites. 
 
 
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LET'S TALK TURKEY: TACTICAL INSIGHTS 
------------------------------------ 
 
5. (C) It appears easy to talk to Turkish elites.  They sound 
reasonable and accommodating, and may ignore or only 
tangentially and politely address sensitive issues in 
U.S.-Turkish bilateral relations -- an attitude that, while 
comforting, may be misleading.  Elites may give U.S. and EU 
interlocutors the impression that everyone is on the same 
page, but in reality their goal is simply to have a 
"successful" (i.e., not confrontational or embarrassing) 
meeting.  Because the emphasis is upon cordiality, politeness 
and appearing moderate, elites will often try to make their 
points with subtle cues.  They often incorrectly conclude 
that their American or EU counterparts are doing the same. 
Although many elites know that Americans tend to bring up the 
most important issues first, elites save their most important 
concerns until their interlocutor is preparing to leave. 
 
6. (C) Players are the exact opposite.  Meetings with them 
may appear difficult, but are actually easier.  If one 
remains calm, doesn't show emotion, and keeps asking 
questions, it is possible to get a clear view of their 
attitudes.  Conversations with players, moreover, can result 
in a firm handle on the sensationalistic, conspiracy-laden 
political views of many Turks. 
 
7. (C) Real Turks are rank conscience and suspicious of 
foreigners.  They will almost always be cordial, helpful, and 
hospitable with guests, foreigners, and higher ranking 
individuals.  It is often hard, however, to unearth their 
real views.  Like elites, they may often agree in an effort 
to be polite and avoid confrontation.  The best way to 
connect with real Turks and get them to open up is to show 
them respect, compassion, and human empathy -- three things 
they do not often receive from their own elites and 
bureaucrats.  Emboffs have garnered huge dividends by meeting 
with family members of Turkish police killed by terrorists, 
by supporting Turkish charities, and by simply approaching 
Turks in a compassionate, non-arrogant, and humanistic 
manner.  A visit by a U.S. diplomat to a rural school, 
office, or family home makes a powerful impression on Turks, 
who are well aware that most Turkish diplomats, and other 
elites, have never visited rural Anatolia.  Real Turks are 
also most interested in concrete and tangible benefits.  They 
often ask Emboffs about the possibility of increased U.S. 
investment in their hometowns (i.e., jobs) and U.S. military 
action against the PKK in Iraq (i.e., security for the sons 
serving in the southeast.) 
 
 
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Comment 
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8. (C) These three groups are products of Turkey's flawed, 
but evolving, democracy.  The better we listen, the more we 
will learn. 
MCELDOWNEY