AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON TURKISH MAIN OPPOSITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000669 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2026 TAGS: TU PGOV PREL PINS SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON TURKISH MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER BAYKAL REF: A. 2005 ANKARA 007070 ¶B. 2005 ANKARA 000501 Classified By: Ambassador Ross L. Wilson, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. In Ambassador's introductory call, Turkish main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal identified maintenance of Turkey's secular system as his top priority and implied that the USG misunderstands this issue. Baykal also stressed the importance of USG action against the PKK in northern Iraq and argued that this unresolved problem had badly damaged U.S.-Turkish relations. Although CHP has indulged in significant anti-American rhetoric over the past several years, Baykal refrained from bashing the U.S. during this meeting. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Baykal stated that America has always been an important ally of Turkey and that Turks appreciate the friendship of the U.S. He said that recent developments in Iraq have created a delicate situation and that CHP has tried to contribute to the stability in the region. The CHP supports the goal of Turkey joining the EU, but fears that -- due to internal European problems -- Turkey may become the first EU candidate country to be rejected by the Europeans. ¶3. (C) Baykal also stressed the importance of the PKK issue. He said Turks have become disillusioned by the resurgence of the PKK and this has damaged the U.S.-Turkish relationship because the PKK is operating out of northern Iraq. A solution to the PKK problem would strengthen U.S.-Turkish relations. Baykal also condemned the demographic changes underway in northern Iraq, especially Kirkuk, where Turkmen populations are being replaced. ¶4. (C) On domestic politics, Baykal stressed the need for educational and judicial reform. Turkish high school students spend three years preparing for college entrance exams, but only one-third of the students are admitted to a university. The remaining two-thirds who fail to enter a university are disillusioned and unprepared for the modern job market. Turkey needs to develop a system of vocational and technical schools to train students who will not go to university. Baykal also emphasized the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to fight against political corruption. ¶5. (C) Baykal emphasized that the maintenance of Turkey's secular system is "the most important issue". He claimed that many of Turkey's foreign friends (i.e., the U.S.) do not understand the importance of this issue. They think that Islamic expressions in political and social life are manifestations of democracy and pluralism, but this is not the case. Turkey's development and integration with the world and women's equality in Turkey are all the results of secularization. ¶6. (C) Although Baykal and CHP have indulged in significant anti-American rhetoric over the past few years (Refs A and B and previous),Baykal refrained from directly criticizing the U.S. during this meeting. ¶7. (C) Comment. CHP leaders are convinced the USG "supports" the governing and pro-Islam Justice and Development Party (AKP) and that the U.S. Embassy has been punishing CHP since March 2003 when CHP voted unanimously against a parliamentary resolution that would have authorized the deployment of U.S. forces into Iraq via Turkey. After the Ambassador's call on Baykal, CHP MP Sinan Yerlikaya praised the Ambassador,s visit to the party and stated his hope that U.S.-CHP relations would improve. However, the CHP is likely to return to its anti-American rhetoric if it believes bashing the U.S. will boost its domestic political stock. End Comment. WILSON