TURKEY: AMBASSADOR, DEPUTY P.M. SAHIN DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005652

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ TU PHUM
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AMBASSADOR, DEPUTY P.M. SAHIN DISCUSS
IRAQ, MINORITY FOUNDATIONS


(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman. Reason: 1.5 (b,d).



1. (C) Summary: In his introductory call on Deputy P.M.
Mehmet Ali Sahin, the Ambassador underscored the importance
of U.S.-Turkey relations; said that Turkey could play an
important positive role in Iraq; and raised concerns about
minority foundations. Sahin said the GOT believes it can
contribute to a stable, prosperous Iraq. On minority
foundations, Sahin acknowledged that implementation of
existing legislation is what will improve the situation of
the foundations and underscored that the GOT is committed to
resolving property claims issues. End summary.


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Iraq
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2. (C) In a Sept. 3 initial call by the Ambassador, Deputy
P.M. Sahin opened the discussion by seeking the Ambassador's
initial views of Turkey. The Ambassador stressed that Turkey
and the U.S. share strategic goals in the region, including
in Iraq, and that Turkey's success as a democracy will have
profound effects for Muslim countries everywhere.



3. (C) In response, Sahin repeatedly emphasized the
importance a stable Iraq has for the entire region.
Stability is in Turkey's interests, Sahin said, and "we are
cooperating with U.S. to achieve this." Sahin downplayed the
views of some Turks that the situation in Iraq is
deteriorating and that Turkey should not become involved.
Turkey can contribute positively to establishing a stable and
prosperous Iraq. "Once we explain ourselves to the public,
the Turkish people will be behind us." The GOT believes the
U.S. is in Iraq for the right reasons, he claimed.


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Minority Foundations
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4. (C) The Ambassador then raised minority foundations in
Turkey, which are part of Sahin's wide-ranging portfolio.
Noting the GOT's commitment to improve the situation of the
foundations, the Ambassador recommended that the GOT focus on
property issues. Working hard to address the concerns of
minority foundations, particularly those of the Ecumenical
Patriarch, will not only improve Turkey's standing as a
democracy but will also redound to the GOT's benefit with the
broader American public, including Representatives in
Congress.



5. (C) Sahin claimed that the GOT is committed to improving
the situation of the foundations both for Turkey's own
democratic development and for Turkey's EU bid. He meets
with representatives of the foundations frequently to discuss
their problems and concerns. The GOT is now working on
implementing recently passed legislation that will help
resolve property claims issues. The head of the foundations
general directorate has prepared a progress report on
implementation, Sahin said. Although Sahin admitted he had
not yet read the report, he asserted that the GOT wants
implementation and if there are problems, it will correct
them. Sahin summarized the GOT approach in this way: "we ask
ourselves: if we are living in a foreign country, how would
we want to be treated?" In any case, "these people are
Turkish citizens; we can't discriminate against them."


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Bio Note
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6. (C) Sahin has been a long-time Embassy contact as an
Istanbul M.P. from AK predecessor parties, Refah and Fazilet,
and earlier as an Istanbul POLITICAL bigwig (he served
briefly as mayor of conservative Fatih district and later was
Refah's party boss for Istanbul in 1994). He has been an
open, thoughtful interlocutor -- and one not prone to
blustering or hyperbole. Our contacts say Sahin has a
certain entree to P.M. Erdogan. Their relationship likely
grew out of their time working together in Istanbul, where
Erdogan served as mayor 1994-1998.
EDELMAN