RAMADAN 2004 PD STRATEGY -- TURKEY

UNCLAS ANKARA 005902 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/PPD, R, IIP, PA, DRL/IFR SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OIIP KPAO IS KIRF TU SUBJECT: RAMADAN 2004 PD STRATEGY -- TURKEY REF: STATE 219905 (U) SENSTIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. (SBU) FOLLOWING IS A NOTIONAL LIST, REQUESTED REFTEL, OF PLANNED RAMADAN ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY EMBASSY ANKARA AND CONSULATES ISTANBUL AND ANKARA. ANKARA: - AMBASSADOR WILL ATTEND, WITH THE MAYOR OF ANKARA, IFTAR IN A LOW-INCOME CITY NEIGHBORHOOD. - DCM WILL HOST IFTAR FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS, AK PARTY OFFICIALS, AND OTHER CONTACTS. - EMBOFFS WILL HOST AND/OR ATTEND IFTARS IN ANKARA AND ELSEWHERE IN TURKEY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONTACTS. ISTANBUL: - CONSULATE WILL BEGIN ITS NOVEMBER 3 "ELECTION 2004" PROGRAM FOR 600 GUESTS EARLY, AT 0500 HOURS, IN ORDER TO SERVE SAHUR (LAST MEAL BEFORE FASTING BEGINS) TO INVITEES. - CONSULATE OFFICERS WILL HOST AND/OR ATTEND IFTARS IN ISTANBUL AND ELSEWHERE IN THE CONSULAR DISTRICT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONTACTS. - CONSUL GENERAL WILL HOST IFTAR FOR CONSULATE STAFF. ADANA: - PRINCIPAL OFFICER WILL HOST IFTAR IN EITHER ADANA OR GAZIANTEP FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AK PARTY OFFICIALS, AND OTHER CONTACTS. A U.S. MUSLIM LAY LEADER FROM NEARBY INCIRLIK AIR BASE WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE A PRESENTATION TO THE GUESTS ON THE PRACTICE OF ISLAM IN THE UNITED STATES. - PRINCIPAL OFFICER WILL ATEND IFTARS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND OTHER CONTACTS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CITIES OF DIYARBAKIR AND MALATYA. - CONSULATE OFFICERS WILL HOST AND/OR ATTEND IFTARS IN ADANA AND ELSEWHERE IN THE CONSULAR DISTRICT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONTACTS. - PRINCIPAL OFFICER WILL HOST IFTAR FOR STAFF. EDELMAN