TURKISH BROADCASTING BOARD LIFTS SOME RESTRICTIONS

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) -------------- Comment -------------- ¶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