MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR ON FUNDING FOR U.S.-TURKISH JUDICIAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

UNCLAS ANKARA 002319 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PHUM KDEM OIIP OTRA TU SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR ON FUNDING FOR U.S.-TURKISH JUDICIAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS REF: DRL (OZKAN)-EMBASSY ANKARA 3/24 EMAIL ¶1. Two years of patience, persistence and cooperation among Turkish and American agencies have yielded a successful conclusion to a remarkable series of legal exchanges. By the end of 2002, nearly 600 Turkish jurists had participated in discussions and workshops, debating solutions to problems whose existence they had previously denied. They have been exposed to American and international approaches that the insular training of Turkish judges heretofore has not included. Many participants have begun to adopt new tactics and have called for further Turkish-American cooperation on these issues. ¶2. Because this program so tangibly advances U.S. political interests, it is essential that we strengthen and expand it. To this end, three project proposals have been developed for a second phase: 1) Judicial Oversight of Police Conduct; 2) European Court of Human Rights Freedom of Expression Standards; and 3) Accelerated Trial Proceedings/Trial Alternatives. DRL reports that OPDAT is best qualified to run the Judicial Oversight program and already has the needed funds. DRL believes ISDLS is best qualified to run the other two programs and has asked for Embassy's views on whether to seek funding for both. We strongly support funding for both the Freedom of Expression and Accelerated Trial programs. Both programs deal with fundamental U.S. human rights concerns in Turkey. Restrictions on non-violent expression and lengthy judicial proceedings continue to undermine GOT efforts to improve overall human rights conditions in Turkey. By funding both programs we will ensure that the judicial exchange program proceeds on a broad front and makes the greatest possible impact. PEARSON