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