Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA1843
2007-07-19 11:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: AMBASSADOR URGES GOT ACTION ON ARTICLE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001843
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AMBASSADOR URGES GOT ACTION ON ARTICLE
301, WARNS AGR COULD MOVE TO HOUSE FLOOR
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4(b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001843
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AMBASSADOR URGES GOT ACTION ON ARTICLE
301, WARNS AGR COULD MOVE TO HOUSE FLOOR
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4(b),(d)
1.(C) In a July 18 meeting with Turkish MFA U/S Ertugrul
Apakan, Ambassador raised the continuing trial of Hrant
Dink's son Arat and his "Agos" colleague Serkis Seropyan for
"insulting Turkishness" under Turkish Penal Code Article 301.
He explained that this Article continues to harm Turkey's
international reputation at a crucial time in Congress's
consideration of an Armenian genocide resolution (AGR).
Trying Dink's son shines the spotlight on all aspects of this
long-festering issue.
2.(C) Ambassador told Apakan the AGR could go to the floor
for a vote during the two weeks between Turkish elections and
the recess of the House of Representatives beginning August
6. As we have repeatedly urged, amendment of Article 301 is
just the type of action needed to help Turkey's friends in
Congress prevent passage of an AGR. The continuing
prosecution will have the opposite effect, providing
ammunition for Members determined to push through a
resolution.
3.(C) Apakan said he understood the detrimental effect of
this and other Article 301 cases. He pledged to contact the
Ministry of Justice on the issue, as he had when the
Ambassador raised the issue earlier in the year. Very
concerned about the possibility of the AGR reaching the floor
soon, Apakan wondered whether it was the right time for PM
Erdogan to call POTUS.
4.(C) Apakan reiterated that an AGR, if passed, would do
"unforgettable" damage to bilateral relations, on a par with
the lasting effects of the 1964 Johnson letter regarding
Cyprus. He stressed that he was not exaggerating, but wanted
to be honest with us. His concern is to preserve US-Turkish
relations. Turkey is in the middle of elections, he stated,
and will need time to form a government that can address
these issues.
5.(C) Ambassador said that the administration, including
Secretary Rice, remains focused on the AGR. A symbolic step
SIPDIS
such as dismissal of the Arat Dink case could help in the
near term. Once a new government is formed, immediate bold
steps showing commitment to improve relations with Yerevan
would be the most effective means to prevent passage of an
AGR.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AMBASSADOR URGES GOT ACTION ON ARTICLE
301, WARNS AGR COULD MOVE TO HOUSE FLOOR
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4(b),(d)
1.(C) In a July 18 meeting with Turkish MFA U/S Ertugrul
Apakan, Ambassador raised the continuing trial of Hrant
Dink's son Arat and his "Agos" colleague Serkis Seropyan for
"insulting Turkishness" under Turkish Penal Code Article 301.
He explained that this Article continues to harm Turkey's
international reputation at a crucial time in Congress's
consideration of an Armenian genocide resolution (AGR).
Trying Dink's son shines the spotlight on all aspects of this
long-festering issue.
2.(C) Ambassador told Apakan the AGR could go to the floor
for a vote during the two weeks between Turkish elections and
the recess of the House of Representatives beginning August
6. As we have repeatedly urged, amendment of Article 301 is
just the type of action needed to help Turkey's friends in
Congress prevent passage of an AGR. The continuing
prosecution will have the opposite effect, providing
ammunition for Members determined to push through a
resolution.
3.(C) Apakan said he understood the detrimental effect of
this and other Article 301 cases. He pledged to contact the
Ministry of Justice on the issue, as he had when the
Ambassador raised the issue earlier in the year. Very
concerned about the possibility of the AGR reaching the floor
soon, Apakan wondered whether it was the right time for PM
Erdogan to call POTUS.
4.(C) Apakan reiterated that an AGR, if passed, would do
"unforgettable" damage to bilateral relations, on a par with
the lasting effects of the 1964 Johnson letter regarding
Cyprus. He stressed that he was not exaggerating, but wanted
to be honest with us. His concern is to preserve US-Turkish
relations. Turkey is in the middle of elections, he stated,
and will need time to form a government that can address
these issues.
5.(C) Ambassador said that the administration, including
Secretary Rice, remains focused on the AGR. A symbolic step
SIPDIS
such as dismissal of the Arat Dink case could help in the
near term. Once a new government is formed, immediate bold
steps showing commitment to improve relations with Yerevan
would be the most effective means to prevent passage of an
AGR.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON