CHARGE'S CONVERSATION WITH RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004653

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2025
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS TU
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S CONVERSATION WITH RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
DIRECTORATE (DIYANET) CHAIRMAN BARDAKOGLU.

REF: ISTANBUL 01333

Classified By: (U) CDA Nancy McEldowney; E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) On August 8, Charge met with Directorate of Religious
Affairs (Diyanet) Chairman Ali Bardakoglu. Charge and
Bardakoglu discussed a number of issues, including the
importance of religious freedom and religious tolerance.
Charge also inquired about the delayed opening of the
Ecumenical Patriarch's youth summer camp on Kinali Island
(Reftel). Bardakoglu lamented the existence of the legal and
bureaucratic struggles involving the patriarchate and
admitted that these difficulties are undermining Turkey's
image as an open and tolerant country. However, he also
asserted that the problem is not a religious freedom issue,
but part of an "international chess game" involving "foreign
influences and concerns," including US interests in Russia.
The Charge brushed aside this assertion and told Bardakoglu
that the opening of Halki Seminary would signify to the world
that Turkey is truly an open and tolerant country.


2. (C) Comment. Bardakoglu's response to the Charge's
inquiries on the patriarchate issue is unfortunately, all too
typical of Turkish officials. The Turks do not think of
their Greek orthodox residents as Turkish citizens, but as
agents of foreign influence. They also believe that USG
interest in the issue is rooted in either US domestic
politics or international political maneuverings and not due
to a genuine interest in religious freedom. End Comment.
MCELDOWNEY