PDAS RIES DISCUSSIONS WITH TURKEY ON EU ACCESSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002013

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM TU
SUBJECT: PDAS RIES DISCUSSIONS WITH TURKEY ON EU ACCESSION
BID

(U) Classified by ADCM Scot Marciel for Reasons 1.4(b) and
(d).



1. (C) SUMMARY: In March 31 Ankara meetings, EUR/PDAS Charlie
Ries 1) discussed opportunities for U.S. support of Turkey's
EU candidacy and 2) encouraged a renewed GOT emphasis on
meeting Copenhagen criteria. Ries noted that high profile
solutions including, e.g., reopening Halki Seminary, removing
restrictions on minority religious and linguistic freedoms,
judicial modernization and resolution of the Leyla Zana case,
would help the EU find a way to say yes to Turkey. END
SUMMARY.



2. (C) Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy
Chairman for Research and Development Reha Denemec pointed to
recent progress in Cyprus and to AKP-championed legislative
action as proof of his party's "sincere" commitment to EU
accession. According to Denemec, the AKP-lead GOT will do
all it can to meet the Copenhagen criteria. Denemec asserted
that even if some reforms are delayed, Turkey has earned a
date based on its demonstrated commitment to reform. Denemec
noted that a date to begin negotiations would strengthen
confidence and encourage further reform. Comment: Denemec
lacked specific details about Turkey's EU accession efforts.



3. (C) According to Burhan Kuzu, AK MP and Parliamentary
Constitution Committee Chairman, "Except for a few details,
Turkey has almost completed implementing the EU criteria."
Like Denemec, Kuzu points to pre-EU Spain as an example for
Turkey's accession hopes, "I know the EU process well and I
remember the accession of Spain -- I can tell you that the
conditions in Spain were not close to Turkey's current
condition. If Turkey is not given a date in December,
there's nothing we can do to gain the EU's confidence." Kuzu
warned that failure at the EU's December summit will likely
reverse any progress Turkey has already made toward
implementing EU accession criteria.



4. (C) Irish Ambassador Sean Whelan characterized the EU's
upcoming Regular Report on Turkey as a "big wakeup call" for
Turkish accession aspirations. "The report will take a hard
line on human rights," Whelan noted. "Police brutality and
unfair market practices are still common." Whelan asserted
that the GOT's "instinctive approach" to EU accession is
typical but off-base, "The Turks are telling the EU that
they'll fix their problems once they get a date. We're
telling the Turks that they need to fix their problems before
they get a date." Still, Whelan opines that there is a broad
consensus growing in the EU and it looks good for Turkey.



5. (C) Ambassador Murat Sungar, Head of the Secretariat
General for EU Affairs, observed that even if Turkey doesn't
get a date, "We made changes that are good for the country."
Echoing Ambassador Whelan's observations, Sungar admitted
that: "Turkey still has a long way to go and implementation
is a problem." Sungar noted that the Turkish judiciary will
be the biggest domestic obstacle to reform - particularly in
relation to revamping the criminal justice system. However,
Sungar contends, if the negotiations begin, many problems
"will evaporate." Sungar asserts that failure in December
will have serious repercussions on public perception of EU
accession aspirations.



6. (C) As in previous meetings, Ries stressed to Volkan
Bozkir, MFA Deputy U/S for EU Relations, U.S. support for
Turkish accession. The more Turkey accomplishes in upcoming
months, Ries noted, the more effective U.S. assistance will
be. Bozkir replied that the GOT is in regular contact with
the Commission and fully understands Commission expectations.
However, he warned, some reforms such as the planned
amendments to Turkey's penal code, while desirable, may not
be accomplished this year for bureaucratic reasons. The GOT
is working toward a solution to the Halki seminary issue,
abolishment of State Security Courts, and Kurdish
broadcasting rights, possible hurdles Ries noted. The case
of Leyla Zana and three other Kurdish former MPs was returned
to the original judge who refused to release her since the
charges related to contacts with a terrorist group. If it
were up to the GOT, Bozkir asserted, Zana would have been
released long ago. The problem with providing legal status
to religious foundations is the fear that this could lead to
the introduction of radical Islamic organizations that would
violate Turkey's secular nature.



7. (C) Bozkir noted that U.S. support for Turkey's EU
ambitions was key to Turkey's success at the December 2002 EU
summit. Bozkir asked for continued support and requested the
U.S. intervene with Austria, the Scandinavian countries, the
Netherlands and new Member States. However, Bozkir suggested
it might be best for the U.S. not to lobby Germany and
France. According to Bozkir, Germany changed its position
and now is working with Turkey quite effectively. Opposition
CDU/CSU leader Angela Merkel's position has been evolving as
well since her visit. She is no longer blocking AK observers
to the European Parliament. Austria still has difficulties,
but will not block a consensus if it sees itself as isolated.
The Dutch government is split but will be required to seek
consensus in its upcoming EU Presidency role. Bozkir is
concerned about Poland's position, but early conversations
have been quite positive.



8. (C) Bozkir reported that the GOT has created and funded an
"EU Communications Group" of government officials, MPs, civil
society and university participants to engage public opinion
makers throughout all 25 EU member states. A delegation from
this group will travel to France. The PM and FM continue to
travel extensively. MPs from the Foreign Affairs, Human
Rights, and EU Committees and bilateral intra-parliamentary
relations groups were also traveling constantly. Turkey is
additionally facilitating the visits of officials and MPs
from EU member states. AK has forged close relations with
the EPP group in the European Parliament.



9. (U) EUR/PDAS Ries did not have the opportunity to clear
this cable.
EDELMAN