ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH: FRUSTRATED WITH GOT INERTIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 001199

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TU
SUBJECT: ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH: FRUSTRATED WITH GOT INERTIA

REF: 04 ISTANBUL 1183

Classified By: CG DAVID ARNETT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: In a July 11 introductory call with
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Charge reaffirmed USG
support for religious pluralism and freedom in Turkey, for
the re-opening of the Halki seminary on Heybeli Island, and
for Turkey's EU accession process as the best way forward for
achieving progress on these issues. Bartholomew expressed
frustration with the GOT's lack of movement since December 17
on the implementation of reforms, stating he would speak
candidly in upcoming discussions with EU officials in
Brussels, but agreed with Charge's assertion that continued
deliberations within the EU framework would help, indicating
he has no desire to derail that process. Bartholomew shared
his expectation that Pope Benedict would visit Turkey in late
November. He also conveyed profuse appreciation for USG
assistance and advocacy. End summary.


2. (C) In a July 11 introductory call with Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew hours before his departure to meet EU
officials in Brussels, Charge reaffirmed USG support for
religious pluralism and freedom in Turkey, for the re-opening
of the Halki seminary on Heybeli Island, and for Turkey's EU
accession process as the best way forward for achieving
progress on these issues.

Halki: Simply No Political Will
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3. (C) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conveyed profuse
appreciation for continued U.S. support, joking that "after
God, we have the United States Government." But he expressed
frustration with the continued closure of the Halki seminary,
the lack of recognition of his ecumenical status, unresolved
property issues, and other issues frustrating his community.
He pointed out that these issues were explicitly mentioned in
the EU progress report of October 2004, and must be
addressed. He said the Minister of Education stated last
summer that Turkey's legal framework could accommodate the
re-opening of Halki, and the Patriarch asserted that there
was simply no political will to make a move in that
direction. He had hoped that any pre-October 3 move on Halki
would have come during the summer, thus avoiding another lost
academic year, but did not seem to hold out any faith of that
happening. He told Charge he would neither exaggerate nor
minimize his community's current situation during July 11-12
discussions with EU officials, including European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Enlargement Commissioner
Ollie Rehn, but would "speak the truth" about the issues.

GOT must understand its own interests
--------------


4. (C) Charge shared the Patriarch's frustration with the
pace of implementation since December 17, stressed the
importance of the EU process, and asked what specific,
achievable steps the GOT could take in the near term to
re-establish momentum in the reform process. Bartholomew
agreed with Charge's assertion that continued deliberations
within the EU framework would help, indicating he has no
desire to derail that process. "We need to help (the
government) understand its own interests," he said. In
response to Charge's query, however, he seemed at a loss as
to what to suggest, given his perception of a complete lack
of movement on implementation issues this year. Upon his
return from Brussels, he said, he will provide in written
form the points covered there with his EU interlocutors.

Pope Benedict to visit Turkey?
--------------


5. (C) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew confirmed to Charge
that he invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit Istanbul and said
he expects the visit will take place o/a November 30. He
stated that Charge should encourage the GOT to refrain from
posing any obstacles to this visit, despite Pope Benedict's
well known views on Turkey's candidacy for EU membership.
The GOT should use such a visit to "convince" the Pope, he
said, and to show him some "realities" in Turkey, including,
he seemed to indicate by gesturing, his office and the
Patriarchate building. Sharing recent photographs he had
taken with Pope Benedict, as well as earlier photographs with
Pope John Paul II, Bartholomew said he had hoped for a visit
from Pope John Paul last November (reftel) before the late
Pope's health problems prevented him from traveling.
ARNETT