TURKEY: TGS STATEMENT SUPPORTS SECULARISTS; GOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001006 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2022 TAGS: PGOV MARR ECON TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: TGS STATEMENT SUPPORTS SECULARISTS; GOT ISSUES FIGHTING RESPONSE REF: ANKARA 1003 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: At approximately 11:30 pm on April 27, the Turkish General Staff issued a strongly worded statement, warning of the dangers of "fundamentalism", identifying as enemies of the State those who do not ascribe to Ataturk's statement, "How happy is he who can say he is a Turk," and declaring its determination to defend the secular state. Coming hours after the first inconclusive round of presidential voting, which saw opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) petition the Constitutional Court to annul the election, the TGS statement sends a message to the country, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Constitutional Court: the TGS does not want a Gul presidency and instead wants to go straight to general elections. In response, the GOT has adopted a tough initial stance. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Highlights of the TGS statement include: --Authorities are working to undermine the secular values of the Republic of Turkey, i.a., by exploiting the sacred religious feelings of the people and converting them into an open challenge to the state. --These subversive activities have been undertaken with full knowledge of those in administrative offices who are supposed to prevent such incidents. --Such behavior and practices contradict the principle of loyalty to the Republic in deeds, not just words, as articulated by CHOD Buyukanit in his April 12 address, and violate the basic tenets of the Constitution. --The Turkish Armed Forces are a party to these discussions and an absolute defender of secularism. --Everyone who objects to the saying of our esteemed leader, Ataturk, founder of our Republic, who said, "How happy is he who can say he is a Turk," is an enemy of the Turkish Republic and will remain so. --The Turkish Armed Forces preserve their unshakable determination fully to implement their duties under the law to preserve the Turkish Republic; their loyalty is absolute. ¶3. (SBU) Former President Kenan Evren - the leader of the 1980 coup - added his voice to the mix, saying, "Let us call this a warning letter. The military is very sensitive concerning fundamentalism and secularism ... TGS performed its duty." Parliamentary speaker Arinc stated that the Turkish armed forces had once again expressed their sensitivity on secularism, terming this "very natural." ¶4. (SBU) The country remains calm in the wake of the TGS statement. As of April 28, there is no obvious increase in security around Ankara, other than stepped up police presence around the presidential palace perimeter. The biggest tests will be the follow-on to the pro-secular April 14 Ankara demonstration, scheduled for April 29 in Istanbul, and the Monday, April 30 opening of the financial markets, as well as May 1 demonstrations. Mission Turkey officers have been talking to a wide range of contacts and keeping a close eye out for any signs of heightened security measures. Working level contacts, however, both within AKP and at TGS, have declined to take calls, not wanting to get out ahead of their leadership. ¶5. (SBU) AKP officials, including PM Erdogan and FM Gul, met for several hours before issuing at 3:15 local time an uncompromising statement read by government spokesman/Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. Erdogan, in a speech earlier the same day to the Red Crescent, had stated that those who try to harm the Turkish spirit of solidarity would not be forgiven by history. Cicek: --Noted the means and timing of the issuance of the TGS ANKARA 00001006 002 OF 002 statement as at odds with a democratic process, and aimed at the government; --Stated that TGS reports to the Prime Minister and that TGS' duties are defined by law; --Characterized the TGS statement as an attempt to influence the judiciary; --Called on all institutions to be more sensitive to the need to protect the basic principles of the state as outlined in the Constitution; --Emphasized that it was unthinkable that the GOT would be indifferent to actions in conflict with those basic principles; --Stated that Turks had suffered in the past when other methods were used; --Declared the government's commitment to further strengthen the Turkish Republic and its democracy; and --Stated that those involved in activities that could damage Turkey's security and stability must eventually assume responsibility for their actions. Cicek took no questions but added that the PM had had a useful and productive phone conversation with TGS Chief Buyukanit. ¶6. (SBU) Opposition figures, including CHP chairman Baykal, True Path Party (DYP) leader Agar, and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) head Mumcu, have reportedly been conferring by telephone and are prepared to introduce in parliament a motion for early elections. To call early elections, a simple majority of parliament must vote in favor, set the date and submit it to the Supreme Election Board (SEB) for approval. We expect the SEB would need a minimum of 45 days to prepare for general elections. ¶7. (C) Commentators and contacts with whom we have spoken widely regard this as the strongest TGS statement in years; a number dubbed it publicly a "coup by memorandum". Many see this as a move well within the purview of the military, who stressed in their statement their obligation under the Constitution to defend the secular Republic. Others see the TGS statement as the military acting outside of democratic norms. Some see Erdogan's earlier nomination of Gul as a direct challenge to secular state institutions; Cicek's statement will likely be viewed in the same light. In the past, some point out, Erdogan's government, at each juncture when challenged by the military, has backed down -- so far, they are holding firm. Financial analysts are concerned, though markets' reactions will not be clear until Monday. All agree, however, that the TGS message is aimed at preventing a Gul presidency and taking the country to early general elections. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON