DEMARCHE TO GOT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002900

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM US EU TU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO GOT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS
TOLERANCE

REF: A. SECSTATE 83768


B. ANKARA 2840

Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman; reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (U) The Ambassador delivered reftel A points May 18 to MFA
U/S Tuygan, reiterating points raised by EUR DAS Kennedy
during her May 3 visit to Ankara. He emphasized that PM
Erdogan and FM Gul should be prepared to discuss human rights
issues during their upcoming visit to Washington.


2. (C) Tuygan acknowledged that the GOT's failure to name a
lead EU negotiator had created the appearance of stagnation
in Turkey's EU candidacy. He said the failure is due to a
political conflict between Erdogan and Gul. Nevertheless, he
insisted the GOT is committed to EU membership and is
pressing ahead on all fronts.


3. (C) Tuygan said the Turkish Parliament is expected to pass
three comprehensive new laws -- the Penal Code, the Criminal
Procedure Code, and the Execution of Punishments Law -- by
June 1. He averred that adoption of the legislation should
bolster Turkey's EU candidacy. The Ambassador noted that
concerns had been raised about some of the last-minute
amendments to the laws, which would apparently scale back
some of the rights established in the original drafts (reftel
B). He urged the GOT to remove language from the reasoning
attached to the Penal Code that would appear to punish
controversial speech regarding Cyprus and Armenia. If the
language is left intact, it will generate political
controversy that could overshadow positive elements of the
legislation.

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Comment
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4. (C) Tuygan's claim that the GOT, despite appearances,
continues to make good progress on the EU front is a standard
refrain these days. However, close contacts in the
bureaucracy tell us there has not been a coordinated GOT
approach to EU reform since the December Summit. While
individual offices may be making preparations for the October
start of negotiations, the GOT's Secretariat General for EU
Affairs has not met with other ministries since the Summit to
coordinate reform efforts. We hope that the GOT will soon
appoint an EU negotiator who can demonstrate leadership and
inject life into the process.


EDELMAN