AMBASSADOR'S DEC. 17 MEETING WITH INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 009074

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2007
TAGS: PGOV PREL CASC PHUM SNAR EINV TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S DEC. 17 MEETING WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER AKSU


Classified by Ambassador W. Robert Pearson; reasons 1.5 b and
d.



1. (U) Summary: In a December 17 meeting with new GOT
Interior Minister Aksu, Ambassador discussed anti-torture
efforts; police exchange programs; child abduction cases;
trafficking in persons; and the problems faced by Amcits
Victor and Kristy Bedoian in their efforts to operate a hotel
in Van Province. Aksu promised cooperation on all these
issues. End Summary.


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Anti-Torture Efforts
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2. (C) Ambassador praised recent GOT human rights reform
steps, including reforms designed to crack down on torture by
police. Aksu's and others' strong statements condemning the
use of torture have caught our attention. Such statements
and strong anti-torture support by the GOT will help the
Turkish police adhere to the highest standards. Aksu stated
that he never tolerated torture in past stints as a minister,
governor, sub governor, and police chief, and will not do so
now. The GOT has passed all the necessary anti-torture
measures; now it's a question of thorough implementation. If
some local officials are not cracking down on the practice,
they will be investigated. On December 20 the Interior
Ministry will hold the first in a series of planned meetings
with local government officials and party leaders from across
the country. The meetings will focus on the implementation
of the latest reform legislation. If there are
inconsistencies in the implementation of the new laws,
including those related to torture, these will be addressed.




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Police Exchange Programs
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3. (C) Ambassador noted the success of U.S.-Turkey police
exchange programs; 20 Turkish National Police (TNP) officers
have been sent to the FBI Academy for training since 1999.
The U.S. would like to continue and expand such efforts.
Aksu said he promoted such exchanges with the U.S. during a
previous stint as Interior Minister in 1988-91. He has sent
Turkish security officials to the U.S. for a variety of
programs, including English language, forensics, hostage
rescue, and close protection training. In many cases, these
officers have earned degrees from U.S. academies, and some
have trained other officers on their return to Turkey. Aksu
has traveled to the U.S. to meet with high-level State
Department, FBI, and DEA officials. He said he is
particularly interested in enhancing cooperation with the
U.S. on anti-narcotics training.


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Child Abduction
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4. (C) Ambassador asked for Aksu's support in handling child
abduction cases. Under the Hague Convention, children who
are abducted and taken from a country in the midst of a
custody dispute should be returned to that country so a court
can rule on custody. There are cases of children being
abducted both from the U.S. to Turkey and from Turkey to the
U.S. Aksu said it is the GOT's responsibility to comply with
the Hague Convention, and he will ensure the Interior
Ministry does its part.


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Trafficking in Persons
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5. (C) Ambassador said the Embassy is eager to continue close
cooperation with the GOT on trafficking in persons (TIP).
The GOT has made recent progress, and the USG wants to help
Turkey rise from Category III to Category II in the State
Department's annual TIP report. Aksu said he is aware of the
issue, and believes Turkey must meet EU and U.S. standards in
implementing international conventions against human
trafficking. He noted that the GOT in August passed reform
legislation specifically designating human trafficking as a
crime and establishing stiff prison terms for violators.


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Bedoian Case
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6. (C) Ambassador told Aksu Amcits Victor and Kristy Bedoian
continue to face obstacles from local authorities in their
efforts to operate a hotel they own in Van Province. We
would appreciate anything Aksu could do to help resolve the
problem.
PEARSON