US embassy cable - 02ANKARA8738

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 008738 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2007 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, TU 
SUBJECT: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS GIVE HIGH MARKS TO NEW GOT'S 
FIRST STEPS 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 8586 
     B. ANKARA 8564 
     C. ANKARA 7290 
 
 
Classified by Polcouns John Kunstadter; reasons 1.5 b and d. 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: Ankara-based Eurodiplomats say ruling AK 
Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other members of the 
new GOT have impressed EU leaders with their approach to 
human rights reform and commitment to EU membership.  So far, 
they say, Erdogan appears willing to break with GOT tradition 
in order to solve longstanding problems, but is constrained 
by a conservative bureaucracy. End Summary. 
 
 
2. (C) Poloff met with Ankara-based British, Danish, Italian, 
Greek, Swedish, Dutch, German and EU Commission diplomats to 
discuss the new GOT's efforts to promote human rights-related 
reform and bolster Turkey's EU candidacy prior to the 
December 12-14 Summit in Copenhagen (reftel A).  The 
diplomats agreed leaders of the ruling AK Party had made a 
positive impression with their pro-EU statements, planned 
legislative reform package, and AK leader Recep Tayyip 
Erdogan's visits to EU capitals.  However, it was not clear 
to these diplomats whether the GOT's latest efforts will 
affect the outcome of the Summit; see septel.  They asserted 
that they were advising their capitals to work with the new 
government, and were reporting that AK leaders appeared 
willing to break with longstanding policies on human rights. 
Several noted that Erdogan was more open to new approaches 
than previous GOT leaders, but was constrained by the more 
defensive bureaucracy. 
 
 
3. (C) Key observations of the Eurodiplomats include: 
 
 
-- Greek: According to our contact, Erdogan on his own is 
open to consider new approaches to Greek-Turkish bilateral 
issues, but becomes very circumspect when MFA "handlers" are 
around.  During a recent meeting in Ankara, Erdogan spoke 
freely with Greek diplomats until MFA Deputy U/S Ilkin 
entered the room, at which point he reverted to "yes" or "no" 
responses.  For this reason, the Greek Embassy recommended 
that PM Simitis meet one-on-one with Erdogan during his 
recent visit, which he did, for two and a half hours. 
Erdogan offered his support for a Cyprus solution in exchange 
for Greek backing of a date for Turkey to begin EU accession 
talks; President Sezer, by contrast, only repeats oft-heard 
warnings against trying to rush a Cyprus agreement.  Our 
contact said the Greek Embassy considers AK easier to work 
with than more traditional Turkish parties.  AK, they 
believe, is less bound by Kemalist policies and more like a 
typical European political party with grassroots support. 
Unlike other party leaders, Erdogan is an opportunist who 
will take risks if he believes they are in Turkey's interest. 
 
 
 
 
-- UK: A British diplomat said PM Blair also noted that 
Erdogan was much more flexible than the "scripted" Sezer in 
recent meetings.  Erdogan impressed the British by 
emphasizing that human rights reform was good for Turkey, 
regardless of EU membership.  The British also appreciated 
Erdogan's willingness to accept the tacit linkage of EU 
membership, Cyprus, and ESDP.  Erdogan is not yet up to speed 
on the details of the Cyprus negotiations, but instinctively 
understands the time is right for a breakthrough. 
 
 
-- EU: The number-two official at the EU Commission office in 
Ankara said AK leaders have wisely admitted the shortcomings 
of past GOT reform efforts.  The previous administration 
stubbornly insisted that the GOT had fully met the EU's 
Copenhagen political criteria; the new government, by 
contrast, has highlighted areas where past reforms fell short 
and has begun preparing solutions.  Specifically, GOT 
officials have indicated they intend to revise recent, highly 
restrictive regulations on non-Turkish broadcasting and 
minority foundations (reftels B and C.) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DEUTSCH