US embassy cable - 02ANKARA8564

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 008564 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2010 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKISH BROADCASTING BOARD LIFTS SOME RESTRICTIONS 
ON KURDISH BROADCASTS -- BUT EU UNDERWHELMED 
 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 7290 
     B. ANKARA 8535 
     C. ANKARA 6904 
     D. ANKARA 6116 
 
 
Classified by Acting Political Counselor Nicholas S. Kass. 
Reasons: 1.5(b)(d). 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: Turkey's High Radio and Television Board 
(RTUK) enacts a regulation lifting some restrictions on TV 
and radio broadcasts in Kurdish -- but only on state-owned 
stations and under strict time limits.  EU representatives in 
Ankara said the limited regulation will not bolster Turkey's 
EU bid.  End Summary. 
 
 
2. (U) The RTUK announced November 20 -- two days after the 
new AK Government assumed power -- that it had implemented 
regulations, pursuant to laws passed by the previous 
Parliament, allowing broadcasts in Kurdish and other 
non-Turkish languages traditionally used by Turkish citizens. 
 The regulation sets the following restrictions: 
 
 
-- Non-Turkish broadcasts are permitted only on state-owned 
media outlets. 
 
 
-- TV broadcasts will be limited to 30 minutes per day, two 
hours per week; radio broadcasts will be limited to 45 
minutes per day, four hours per week. 
 
 
-- Non-Turkish TV broadcasts must have Turkish subtitles, and 
non-Turkish radio broadcasts must be followed by the same 
program in Turkish. 
 
 
-- Broadcasts aimed at teaching non-Turkish languages are 
prohibited. 
 
 
3. (C) The broadcasting measure completes the previous GOT's 
efforts to adopt regulations implementing the August 
EU-related legislative reform package (refs A,C,D).  However, 
Ankara-based EU and EU member state representatives are 
criticizing the RTUK measure's restrictions -- as are local 
human rights and pro Kurdish groups.  They also predict that 
what they describe as such half-hearted measures will not 
bolster Turkey's EU candidacy. 
 
 
-- Luigi Narbone, second in command at the EU office in 
Ankara, told Poloff the GOT in the past had indicated to EU 
officials it would adopt a more open approach to non-Turkish 
broadcasting.  He said the limited regulation could fuel EU 
skepticism about GOT reforms. 
 
 
-- A Danish diplomat also said he was disappointed with the 
regulation, and expressed concern that publicity about the 
restrictions could distract attention from positive 
developments. 
 
 
-- A British diplomat said the regulation's shortcomings 
would not be a major factor in EU thinking, but would give 
ammunition to Turkey's EU critics. 
 
 
------------------------------ 
Euros Hoping AK Will Do Better 
------------------------------ 
 
 
4. (C) Poloff urged the diplomats to view the RTUK measure as 
an opening that can be exploited by a reform-minded 
government -- noting that AK Party and government leaders are 
signaling a desire to break new ground on human rights.  The 
diplomats agreed.  Narbone noted that AK officials had 
already told him they want to broaden the scope of 
regulations on minority foundations (ref A), adding that he 
hoped AK will take the same approach toward the broadcasting 
regulation. (Note: Interior Minister Aksu issued a circular 
Nov 21. encouraging strict protection of human rights -- ref 
B.  End note) 
 
 
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Comment 
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5. (C) The RTUK action is representative of the GOT's overall 
reform efforts.  It is at the same time both a groundbreaking 
advance and a maddening example of stubborn resistance to 
change -- particularly among Establishment Kemalists, who 
regard "pro-Kurdish" reform as a direct assault on Turkey's 
identity and on their own primacy in the current scheme of 
things.  Turkey has once again taken a step in the right 
direction, but only a half step.  The U.S. and EU must 
continue to reward these efforts while pressing the new AK 
Government to continue down the path toward permanent, 
fundamental reform.  AK's interest in changing the status quo 
is a factor in favor of reform. 
PEARSON