TURKEY'S HEADSCARF ISSUE OPENS ANOTHER POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002666

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY'S HEADSCARF ISSUE OPENS ANOTHER POLITICAL
RIFT


(U) Classified by Acting DCM Frank Ward. Reason: 1.5 (b,d).



1. (C) Summary: The Islamist headscarf remains a threatening
symbol for the Kemalist state. In inviting headscarved women
to a reception in honor of the children's holiday, AK Party
Speaker of Parliament Arinc has widened a rift between the
GOT and the Turkish Establishment. End summary.



2. (U) Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc hosted an April 23
reception in honor of Turkey's national children's holiday.
For the first time in 83 years, the President, TGS chief,
opposition party members and other high-ranking bureaucrats
all boycotted the event, ostensibly because Arinc's
headscarved wife's name appeared on the original invitation
as a co-host. Air Force commander Asparuk asked reporters
rhetorically before the reception, "does this (the
invitation) mean that we will have to bring our wives covered
from head to toe? Of course I am not going."



3. (U) In the event, Arinc's wife -- and most of the
headscarved wives of senior AK officials including P.M.
Erdogan -- did not attend (note: there were 5-10 headscarved
wives in attendance. end note.). Pouring gas on the fire,
however, Arinc and Erdogan took turns lambasting those who
did not attend. Calling them "irresponsible," Arinc said
that those "attempting to cast a shadow on the holiday have
failed;" Erdogan went further, saying "our country will not
forgive them."


--------------
Arinc, the Lightning Rod
--------------



4. (C) Even as he touts his role as an above-the-fray figure,
Arinc has repeatedly used his somewhat insulated position to
appeal to the hearts and minds of AK grassroots and to
challenge the status quo. Whether Arinc hopes to use the
Speakership as a springboard to a higher office like P.M. or
President remains an open question. In this case, although
Arinc announced his wife would not attend the function, he
did so mere hours before it began -- pointedly after it was
clear that the generals and others were not going to attend.
Moreover, in a speech at a symposium on constitutional law
this week, Arinc suggested that "positive norms such as
fairness are more important than constitutional law."
Arinc's statement no doubt received kudos from AK supporters
clamoring for fundamental changes to the constitution. At
the same time, however, it was a clear challenge to the more
Establishment-minded officials in attendance, who hold the
document to be sacred.


--------------
Comment: Escalating tension
--------------



5. (C) This most recent incident occurred against the
backdrop of a series of GOT policies that have raised the
hackles of a Turkish secular Establishment worried about the
influence of "political Islam" in State organs. Press
reports this week have focused on AK's efforts to place its
supporters in the highest levels of the bureaucracy -- a
traditional Turkish political practice. Media outlets have
also highlighted a foreign ministry circular, which
reportedly requires Turkish embassies abroad to reach out to
the heretofore taboo Islamist foundation Milli Gorus
(National View) and Fetullah Gulen's Nur movement. All eyes
will now be on the April 30 NSC meeting, which will discuss
acording to the press, "government practices and appointments
of new bureaucrats" -- but which could also be the first real
showdown between the two camps since Erdogan became P.M.
PEARSON