ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH PUBLICLY HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 001844

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TU
SUBJECT: ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH PUBLICLY HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS

REF: A. ANKARA 5599


B. 04 ISTANBUL 843

Classified By: Consul General Deborah K. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (U) Summary: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew raised
publicly October 20 his inability to use his ecumenical title
in Turkey and the continued lack of dialogue with the Turkish
government on such key issues as reopening Halki Seminary.
Turkish press gave wide coverage to the remarks, which were
delivered at a meeting between the Patriarchate and European
People's parties. In response, AKP Deputy Chair Saban Disli
claimed his party's government was open to dialogue and that
the Prime Minister would respond favorably to any request for
an appointment. Disli also stressed the government's desire
to open Halki, but rejected use of the ecumenical title,
arguing that under the Lausanne Treaty the Patriarch is
simply leader of Turkey's minority Orthodox population. End
Summary.


2. (U) Challenging the Status Quo: Throughout the October
20 meeting, many EU participants used the "Ecumenical" title,
while Hans-Gert Pottering, leader of the Christian Democratic
group in the European Parliament, warned that "islamophobia"
(note: a term used by PM Erdogan at the September Meeting of
Civilizations in Hatay) would increase if Halki Seminary were
not reopened.


3. (C) Comment: The exchange between Disli and
Bartholomew at the meeting may be the closest thing to dialog
that has occurred since a January 2004 meeting between the
Patriarchate and a delegation from an Ankara-based
inter-ministerial commission (ref B). Whether emboldened by
October 3 to force the issue, or believing there was simply
nothing to lose, Bartholomew used language that was stronger
than usual for his Istanbul (as opposed to European)
audience, and placed the ecumenical status issue among his
chief concerns. While Lausanne is often cited as precluding
use of the ecumenical title, it in fact makes no reference to
the issue. Perhaps coincidentally, another event may soon
generate similar "E Word" headlines: the November 7-9 Appeal
of Conscience conference, co-sponsored by the Patriarchate to
promote interfaith dialogue, at which the Charge is expected
to deliver greetings (ref A).
JONES