Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISTANBUL1749
2006-09-25 13:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Istanbul
Cable title:  

FAITH, REASON AND ANOTHER WORLD: TURKISH REACTIONS

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5982
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISTANBUL 001749 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: FAITH, REASON AND ANOTHER WORLD: TURKISH REACTIONS
TO THE POPE

REF: VATICAN 0204

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISTANBUL 001749

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: FAITH, REASON AND ANOTHER WORLD: TURKISH REACTIONS
TO THE POPE

REF: VATICAN 0204

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


1. (SBU) Summary. Though Pope Benedict XVI's speech
delivered at the University of Regensburg on September 12 is
fading from Turkey's headlines, the response from Turks is
universally negative and the speech continues to be a topic
of conversation. A popular view regards the speech as a call
for revival of empire once shared by Rome and Constantinople.
End Summary.

THOUGHTS ABOUT AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE
--------------


2. (C) On Friday, September 15, we attended a round-table
that included former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger under
the auspices of the Turkey - US Interparliamentary Friendship
Caucus. Kissinger opened with a positive description of
Turkey as a "bridge between civilizations," particularly in
reference to the ongoing discussions about a clash of
civilizations. This led to a discussion of the Pope,s
speech. Kissinger had not read the speech in its entirety,
but did note that he had met Cardinal Ratzinger several years
ago and was impressed by his thoughtfulness. He said he
could not believe the Pope favors conflict between the
Catholic and Muslim worlds. Kissinger's key point was to
underscore the importance of not turning this into a
religious conflict. Religious conflicts are extremely bloody
and have no victors. He said it would be contradictory to
have a globalized world in economics and a world otherwise
fractured by religion.


3. (C) Also present were key advisors to Prime Minister
Erdogan, Cuneyt Zapsu and Egemen Bagis. Zapsu said the
central question for an official response to the Pope,s
comments was, "what do we want to achieve?" He argued that
no one wants a clash because it would play into the wrong
hands. This must not be blown out of proportion. Quiet,
private objections are appropriate but mass reactions are not
helpful. Nuri Colakoglu, chairman of Istanbul 2010 European
Capital of Culture Initiative, disagreed with calls to play
down the Pope,s comments saying these things need to be
discussed. Former Secretary Kissinger interjected that he

was very troubled by the reaction to the Danish cartoon
controversy. Prof Ilten Turan of Bilgi University asked
whether a bad reaction to the Pope,s November visit such as
mass demonstrations, would lead to greater rupture and
whether Kissinger would recommend postponing the visit.
Kissinger cautioned that postponement would rebound
negatively within the EU, particularly in the Catholic
countries.


4. (C) As reported reftel, the Turkish DCM at the Vatican
confirmed news reports that the Pope's comments will not
derail his late November visit to Turkey. Addressing the
issue on September 16, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said,
"Pope Benedict spoke like a politician, not like a religious
man." Foreign Minister Gul, on the other hand, said the next
day that "The Pope's statements were unfortunate," at a time
when efforts are already underway to advance the dialogue
among religions and cultures. Gul also added publicly that
as far as Turkey was concerned, there is no change in the
scheduled visit of the Pope.

A MORE CANDID VIEW
--------------


5. (C) Metin Kulunk, a Turkish businessman and a founding
member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who
has served in a variety of prominent positions within the AKP
in Istanbul, including as deputy chairman, shared his
thoughts with us. His perspective reflects a current of
opinion within conservative Istanbul society. With the
Pope's scheduled November visit to Istanbul in mind, Kulunk
says Turks reacted strongly to the Pope's remarks,
particularly his quotation from 14th century Byzantine
Emperor Manuel II. Kulunk did not pick up on the Pope's call
to reasoned dialogue among faiths. Instead, he saw the
speech as a proposal to revive the old Roman Empire through
reconstitution of ties between the "Greek" Patriarchate at
Fener in Istanbul and the Vatican. Far from being a
spiritual kingdom, Kulunk saw this perceived call for revival
in material terms, taking note that the territory up to
Vienna is part of a "different" world and not available for
reclamation. Kulunk thought little of the use of the 14th
century quotation in the Pope's discourse. However, Kulunk
elaborated an Ottoman theme and emphasized harmony achieved
among the Turks and the "three minorities," Jewish, Armenian

ISTANBUL 00001749 002 OF 002


and Greek, under the Sultans. He inferred peaceful
compatibility under the Ottomans came about within an Islamic
society.


6. (C) Comment. The Pope's planned November trip especially
to visit the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul,
already viewed with apprehension by Stambulus, now carries
additional baggage. Underneath the generally coolheaded
public responses reflected in Cuneyt Zapsu's insight four
days after the speech, Turks are bitter. At a public
gathering of young adults in Istanbul this summer reflecting
on foreign policy matters, AKP Branch Chairman Dr. Mehmet
Muezzinoglu counseled his listeners to place themselves in
the other person's (or country's) shoes and to weigh the
issue at hand in light of the other's perspective. Firmly
holding truths Jefferson termed "self-evident,"
cross-cultural dialogue is vital.
JONES