Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADANA29
2006-02-09 09:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Adana
Cable title:  

ADANA AKP CHAIRMAN ENGAGES CONSTRUCTIVELY ON SENSITIVE

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL TU ADANA 
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090926Z Feb 06
UNCLAS ADANA 000029 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TU ADANA
SUBJECT: ADANA AKP CHAIRMAN ENGAGES CONSTRUCTIVELY ON SENSITIVE
ISSUES


UNCLAS ADANA 000029

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TU ADANA
SUBJECT: ADANA AKP CHAIRMAN ENGAGES CONSTRUCTIVELY ON SENSITIVE
ISSUES



1. (SBU) Summary: Adana AKP Chairman Abdullah Dogru
constructively engaged us on a number of sensitive issues in
Turkey-US relations. He was confident that the AKP would remain
in power in the upcoming elections and would find a lasting
solution to the Kurdish issue within the next five years. Dogru
called for dialogue with Iran to avoid further conflict between
nations, and greater understanding on religious issues to avoid
conflict between the West and Islam, as demonstrated in the
recent anti-Islam cartoon issue as well as recent cases of
attacks against Christians in Turkey. End summary.


2. (SBU) Adana AKP Chairman Abdullah Dogru paid a courtesy call
on the Consulate on February 6. In wide-ranging discussions
Dogru talked about US-Iran relations, recent cases of
intolerance against local Christians, anti-Muslim cartoons in
Denmark and the AKP's chances in upcoming elections. On the
cartoon issue, Dogru emphasized the importance of mutual respect
of each others' beliefs and urged the US to continue to stay
engaged on the issue. On Iran, Dogru also emphasized the
importance of dialogue and again urged the US to stay engaged
with our allies and the Iranians to avoid further conflict in
the region.


3. (SBU) On the issue of attacks against Christians in Adana and
Trabzon, he said that people in the SE still needed to be
educated about freedoms, including freedom of religion. Dogru
opined that instances of recent violence against Christians
could be seen as efforts against Turkey's EU bid.


4. (SBU) Dogru was clearly interested in our views on the AKP,
and asked for our thoughts on how we thought the party was
doing. He said that the party currently enjoyed a 45%
popularity rating and that it was still developing after only
about 4 years in power. He said the party's goal was to stay in
power for two more terms-he was confident that the AKP would
stay in power after the presidential election. On the Kurdish
issue, he asserted that following the Turkish presidential
election, the AKP would find a solution and that the PM embraced
all groups in Turkey, including the Kurds, whom the PM clearly
wanted to help. Dogru promised that democracy would expand
under the AKP's leadership, and predicted that in the next 3 to
5 years the AK Party would find a lasting solution to the
Kurdish issue.


5. (SBU) In discussing the controversy arising from the
anti-Muslim cartoons in Denmark, Dogru applauded the US remarks
announced in a US Embassy press release when the Principal
Officer shared them with him. He said AK rank-and-file were
deeply offended by the cartoons. He also said that he was
puzzled why so many Turks were discontent with the US when it
shared a cultural identity with strong religious roots and
respected Islam while, on the other hand, they positively
reacted to a secular Europe without a religious identity any
more. Dogru agreed that hate speech should be denounced, but in
a non-violent fashion. He said he did not expect to see attacks
on foreign missions in Turkey such as in neighboring Syria or
Lebanon.

Comment
--------------


6. (SBU) Dogru sought the meeting with us. He engaged
constructively on a number of difficult issues in an area of
Turkey where such issues are highly sensitive among the
populace. We hope that by engaging him on these topics he can
have a calming influence on Muslims in the Cukurova area.

REID

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