Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA5743
2006-10-03 13:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TIP: TURKEY STILL CONCERNED WITH "SEX SLAVES"
how-toVZCZCXRO8024 PP RUEHAG RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAK #5743/01 2761330 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031330Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9150 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0108 RUEKDAI/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1853 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEUITH/TLO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005743
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE, EUR/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF OIIP TU
SUBJECT: TIP: TURKEY STILL CONCERNED WITH "SEX SLAVES"
VIDEO SHOWINGS
REF: A. USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 721
B. ANKARA 5121
C. STATE 162361
D. STATE 73395
E. ANKARA 2586
ANKARA 00005743 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005743
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE, EUR/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF OIIP TU
SUBJECT: TIP: TURKEY STILL CONCERNED WITH "SEX SLAVES"
VIDEO SHOWINGS
REF: A. USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 721
B. ANKARA 5121
C. STATE 162361
D. STATE 73395
E. ANKARA 2586
ANKARA 00005743 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: To follow-up on the GOT's September 4
demarche (ref b) expressing dismay at USG-sponsored events
showing the PBS Frontline film "Sex Slaves," we met with MFA
DDG for Expatriate Turks, Migration, Asylum and Property
Issues Akif Ayhan and Department Head Melih Ulueren on
October 3. We outlined points shared first bilaterally in
Washington on September 15 on USG efforts to place the video
into context in terms of Turkey's anti-trafficking efforts
(ref c). We emphasized UNVIE's successful showing that
included the Turkish Ambassador's participation (ref a).
Ayhan expressed continued concern that the video depicted
Turkey in an overly negative light that could harm both the
GOT's ability to fight trafficking in persons (TIP) and
Turkey's image abroad. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Ayhan thanked us for previous USG assistance to the
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
anti-trafficking program in Turkey and effective ongoing
bilateral and multilateral cooperation to fight TIP. Ayhan
said he understood the value in such efforts to raise TIP
awareness and encourage increased donor and government
resources to fight the problem.
3. (SBU) Ayhan warned, however, that continued widespread
screening of the video to large audiences could have a
negative effect on Turkey's ability to fight trafficking.
The video shows Turkish police and customs officials in a
very negative and unbalanced light, akin to the distorted
depiction of Turkish prisons in the 1978 movie "Midnight
Express," according to Ayhan. Ayhan also noted that dramatic
flourishes in the film such as Middle Eastern theme music and
dark lighting did not reflect the real Turkey and damaged its
image.
4. (SBU) The MFA's concern, Ulueren said, was three-fold.
One, if Turkish security officials viewed the video and
learned of the USG role in its dissemination (ref d),he
would be concerned about their inclination to continue
vigorously fighting the TIP problem in Turkey. Security
officials can be reactionary and will respond more
effectively to encouragement and praise rather than
unbalanced attacks or inaccuracies. As an example, Ayhan
pointed to the controversy earlier this year that harmed
cooperation between Turkish National Police (TNP) and IOM
when the TNP believed that IOM grossly exaggerated the
numbers of trafficking victims (ref e). Two, if the Turkish
public found out about the USG role, the backlash would harm
GOT efforts to fight trafficking and increase
anti-Americanism in Turkey. Three, widespread showings of
the video regionally could harm the tourism industry,
particularly with Russia and Ukraine.
5. (SBU) Ayhan and Ulueren requested that the film be shown
to expert audiences who would benefit from its message rather
than more general audiences for whom the depiction of Turkey
might harm overall Turkish interests, particularly its
tourism industry. Both asked that the message sent by
Washington to posts about Turkey's anti-trafficking efforts
be emphasized. For example, Ayhan asked whether a showing of
the video in Constanta, Romania at an American Corner (NFI)
contained these contextual points. He also asked whether the
decision to share the video with all posts was
well-coordinated inside the Department with respect to
potential political ramifications.
6. (SBU) Comment: As the lead entity in charge of Turkey's
government-wide anti-trafficking task force, the MFA is at
the forefront of aggressive action against trafficking in
Turkey. The MFA's concerns about possible reactions from
security forces and the public are not knee-jerk; they are
real. Post appreciates the Department's decision to provide
posts with contextual information on Turkey's fight against
TIP to address Turkish concerns (ref c).
ANKARA 00005743 002.2 OF 002
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE, EUR/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF OIIP TU
SUBJECT: TIP: TURKEY STILL CONCERNED WITH "SEX SLAVES"
VIDEO SHOWINGS
REF: A. USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 721
B. ANKARA 5121
C. STATE 162361
D. STATE 73395
E. ANKARA 2586
ANKARA 00005743 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: To follow-up on the GOT's September 4
demarche (ref b) expressing dismay at USG-sponsored events
showing the PBS Frontline film "Sex Slaves," we met with MFA
DDG for Expatriate Turks, Migration, Asylum and Property
Issues Akif Ayhan and Department Head Melih Ulueren on
October 3. We outlined points shared first bilaterally in
Washington on September 15 on USG efforts to place the video
into context in terms of Turkey's anti-trafficking efforts
(ref c). We emphasized UNVIE's successful showing that
included the Turkish Ambassador's participation (ref a).
Ayhan expressed continued concern that the video depicted
Turkey in an overly negative light that could harm both the
GOT's ability to fight trafficking in persons (TIP) and
Turkey's image abroad. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Ayhan thanked us for previous USG assistance to the
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
anti-trafficking program in Turkey and effective ongoing
bilateral and multilateral cooperation to fight TIP. Ayhan
said he understood the value in such efforts to raise TIP
awareness and encourage increased donor and government
resources to fight the problem.
3. (SBU) Ayhan warned, however, that continued widespread
screening of the video to large audiences could have a
negative effect on Turkey's ability to fight trafficking.
The video shows Turkish police and customs officials in a
very negative and unbalanced light, akin to the distorted
depiction of Turkish prisons in the 1978 movie "Midnight
Express," according to Ayhan. Ayhan also noted that dramatic
flourishes in the film such as Middle Eastern theme music and
dark lighting did not reflect the real Turkey and damaged its
image.
4. (SBU) The MFA's concern, Ulueren said, was three-fold.
One, if Turkish security officials viewed the video and
learned of the USG role in its dissemination (ref d),he
would be concerned about their inclination to continue
vigorously fighting the TIP problem in Turkey. Security
officials can be reactionary and will respond more
effectively to encouragement and praise rather than
unbalanced attacks or inaccuracies. As an example, Ayhan
pointed to the controversy earlier this year that harmed
cooperation between Turkish National Police (TNP) and IOM
when the TNP believed that IOM grossly exaggerated the
numbers of trafficking victims (ref e). Two, if the Turkish
public found out about the USG role, the backlash would harm
GOT efforts to fight trafficking and increase
anti-Americanism in Turkey. Three, widespread showings of
the video regionally could harm the tourism industry,
particularly with Russia and Ukraine.
5. (SBU) Ayhan and Ulueren requested that the film be shown
to expert audiences who would benefit from its message rather
than more general audiences for whom the depiction of Turkey
might harm overall Turkish interests, particularly its
tourism industry. Both asked that the message sent by
Washington to posts about Turkey's anti-trafficking efforts
be emphasized. For example, Ayhan asked whether a showing of
the video in Constanta, Romania at an American Corner (NFI)
contained these contextual points. He also asked whether the
decision to share the video with all posts was
well-coordinated inside the Department with respect to
potential political ramifications.
6. (SBU) Comment: As the lead entity in charge of Turkey's
government-wide anti-trafficking task force, the MFA is at
the forefront of aggressive action against trafficking in
Turkey. The MFA's concerns about possible reactions from
security forces and the public are not knee-jerk; they are
real. Post appreciates the Department's decision to provide
posts with contextual information on Turkey's fight against
TIP to address Turkish concerns (ref c).
ANKARA 00005743 002.2 OF 002
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY