Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME3698
2004-09-24 11:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY/TURKEY: CONFIDENT TURKEY WILL RECEIVE A

Tags:  PREL PHUM IT TU EUN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003698 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM IT TU EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY/TURKEY: CONFIDENT TURKEY WILL RECEIVE A
"YES", BUT URGES US LOW PROFILE

Classified By: A/DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN. REASON: 1.5 (B)(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003698

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM IT TU EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY/TURKEY: CONFIDENT TURKEY WILL RECEIVE A
"YES", BUT URGES US LOW PROFILE

Classified By: A/DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN. REASON: 1.5 (B)(D)


1. (C) On September 23, MFA Director for Turkey/Cyprus
Affairs Renato Ricci told poloff that while his government
was still confident that Turkey would receive a "yes" on a
date to begin EU accession negotiations at the December
Council, recent moves to include criminalizing adultery in
the country's penal code have given "a boost" to those in
Europe who oppose Turkish membership, no matter how much
progress Ankara makes on the Copenhagen Criteria.


2. (C) Ricci was particularly disappointed because in his
view "everything had been going smoothly" for Turkish
accession. "The timing could not have been worse" for Ankara
to propose such measures as part of its penal code. "It is
almost as if Ankara was trying to sabotage its own
candidacy," he lamented. The only rational explanation Ricci
could see for the harsh tone of the penal code reform was
that reforms implemented to date, such as those dealing with
torture, military participation in government and Kurdish
human rights did not conflict with Islam. Penal code
provisions dealing with adultery do have a religious
foundation, and the more fundamentalist members of the
Turkish parliament may feel that EU pressure concerning such
laws amount to interference in Turkey's internal affairs.
Certainly the rhetoric of recent days between Ankara and
certain member state officials would indicate that that is
the trend, said Ricci.


3. (C) Ricci was preparing for an internal MFA meeting "at
the highest levels" on September 24 to discuss Italy's role
in putting Turkish accession back on track. One option under
discussion was an invitation to PM Erdogan to visit Rome in
October. Ricci believes the approach taken by UK FM Straw
was the best - a pragmatic view which focuses on the
excellent progress made by Turkey on the Copenhagen Criteria
thus far, without sentimental rhetoric or references to
"culture clashes." The Dutch Presidency would also be an
ally in this approach.


4. (C) Ricci stressed that if Turkey was not given a date in
December it would be "a historic opportunity lost," and
result in Turkey slipping further and further into a
theocracy. HeQins somewhat optimistic, and predicted a
forward leaning recommendation by the Commission, with many
"buts," and a "yes" in December, but not unconditional. He
suggested that it was important for the United States to
reiterate its views in the run-up to the December Council,
but in a "quiet, low profile" manner. Public statements by
the USG criticizing the process in Brussels or views of
individual member states would hinder, not help, Turkey's
progress.


SEMBLER


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2004ROME03698 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL