Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2269
2007-09-05 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: KURDISH MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS
how-toVZCZCXRO8677 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #2269/01 2481403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051403Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3634 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEUITH/TLO ANKARA TU RUEHAK/TSR ANKARA TU RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: KURDISH MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS
BRING STRONG REACTION FROM RULING PARTY
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b),
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: KURDISH MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS
BRING STRONG REACTION FROM RULING PARTY
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b),
(d)
1.(C) Summary: Democratic Society Party (DTP) Diyarbakir
Mayor Osman Baydemir's recent remarks that the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) is discriminating against his
majority Kurdish city drew strong reactions. PM Erdogan
rejected the allegations and accused Baydemir of exploiting
his own constituents for political purposes. Opposition
parties alleged Erdogan's weak policies on terrorism had
encouraged Baydemir. DTP said Baydemir intended only to draw
attention to the GOT's neglect of the Southeast. This latest
verbal battle, coming just as all parties are sounding out
the DTP's presence in Parliament for the first time in over a
decade, suggests increased tension to come. End summary.
--------------
Diyarbakir Mayor Brashly Criticizes GOT
--------------
2.(U) Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir drew ire when he told
the press on September 4 that his southeastern city was
subject to government discrimination and his pro-Kurdish
Democratic Society Party (DTP) was "ready to fight" those who
want to make political inroads into the "fortress" of
Diyarbakir. Baydemir was responding to claims by the
Minister of Agriculture that AKP had increased its share of
votes in the Southeast due to DTP's poor performance in
improving conditions in municipalities its mayors governed.
Following the remarks, a Diyarbakir prosecutor opened an
investigation on Baydemir, and politicians from across the
spectrum weighed in with comments.
--------------
AKP and Opposition Parties Respond
--------------
3.(U) Prime Minister Erdogan categorically rejected the
claims of discrimination against the city and remarked at the
September 4 AKP parliamentary group meeting, "No one should
try to exploit the people of one city. The municipalities
should produce projects instead of words." Erdogan said he
did not instruct the Interior Ministry to launch an
investigation into Baydemir. Interior Minister Besir Atalay
declined to comment on the matter.
4.(U) Opposition Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and
Republican People's Party (CHP) used the opportunity to
criticize AKP. MHP deputy party leader Mehmet Sandir stated
that AKP's "soft stance" on terrorism and Erdogan's discourse
on ethnicity had encouraged Baydemir. CHP deputy chairman
Mustafa Ozyurek claimed that AKP had failed to support
municipalities administered by opposition parties and said PM
Erdogan was now treating Diyarbakir as a city that lies
outside of Turkey.
--------------
DTP Sticks By Its Man
--------------
5.(U) DTP defended Baydemir. Diyarbakir deputy Akin Birdal
said Baydemir was trying to draw attention to the GOT's
failure to give the city appropriate financial support to the
city. According to Birdal, Baydemir's statements were
intended to bring peace, not stir controversy. Despite
constantly being put in the spotlight, DTP would continue to
work constructively in parliament for tolerance and dialogue.
--------------
Debate Foreshadows Tensions To Come
--------------
6.(U) Turkish commentators covered the incident from a
variety of angles. "Milliyet's" Guneri Civaoglu referred to
Baydemir as a "roaring mouse" whose comments proved that DTP
feared losing the Diyarbakir Municipality in local elections
scheduled for 2009. Ismail Kucukkaya of "Aksam" believed the
incident foreshadowed an escalation in tension between AKP
and DTP. "Sabah's" Asli Aydintasbas called on the center
parties to be patient with DTP, lest the party be driven from
parliament, making a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem
ANKARA 00002269 002 OF 002
impossible.
7.(C) Comment: This latest war of words comes as all parties
are still sounding out DTP's presence in Parliament, and
while legal pressure against DTP members continues unabated.
Cool minds and rational dialogue are needed at this delicate
juncture. Baydemir's continued willingness to deliver brash
remarks is a bellwether of tensions to come. AKP's immediate
response indicates Erdogan is well aware of the
counter-pressures already at work in parliament; he is
putting DTP on notice that he is not about to put other
projects at risk. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: KURDISH MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS
BRING STRONG REACTION FROM RULING PARTY
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b),
(d)
1.(C) Summary: Democratic Society Party (DTP) Diyarbakir
Mayor Osman Baydemir's recent remarks that the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) is discriminating against his
majority Kurdish city drew strong reactions. PM Erdogan
rejected the allegations and accused Baydemir of exploiting
his own constituents for political purposes. Opposition
parties alleged Erdogan's weak policies on terrorism had
encouraged Baydemir. DTP said Baydemir intended only to draw
attention to the GOT's neglect of the Southeast. This latest
verbal battle, coming just as all parties are sounding out
the DTP's presence in Parliament for the first time in over a
decade, suggests increased tension to come. End summary.
--------------
Diyarbakir Mayor Brashly Criticizes GOT
--------------
2.(U) Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir drew ire when he told
the press on September 4 that his southeastern city was
subject to government discrimination and his pro-Kurdish
Democratic Society Party (DTP) was "ready to fight" those who
want to make political inroads into the "fortress" of
Diyarbakir. Baydemir was responding to claims by the
Minister of Agriculture that AKP had increased its share of
votes in the Southeast due to DTP's poor performance in
improving conditions in municipalities its mayors governed.
Following the remarks, a Diyarbakir prosecutor opened an
investigation on Baydemir, and politicians from across the
spectrum weighed in with comments.
--------------
AKP and Opposition Parties Respond
--------------
3.(U) Prime Minister Erdogan categorically rejected the
claims of discrimination against the city and remarked at the
September 4 AKP parliamentary group meeting, "No one should
try to exploit the people of one city. The municipalities
should produce projects instead of words." Erdogan said he
did not instruct the Interior Ministry to launch an
investigation into Baydemir. Interior Minister Besir Atalay
declined to comment on the matter.
4.(U) Opposition Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and
Republican People's Party (CHP) used the opportunity to
criticize AKP. MHP deputy party leader Mehmet Sandir stated
that AKP's "soft stance" on terrorism and Erdogan's discourse
on ethnicity had encouraged Baydemir. CHP deputy chairman
Mustafa Ozyurek claimed that AKP had failed to support
municipalities administered by opposition parties and said PM
Erdogan was now treating Diyarbakir as a city that lies
outside of Turkey.
--------------
DTP Sticks By Its Man
--------------
5.(U) DTP defended Baydemir. Diyarbakir deputy Akin Birdal
said Baydemir was trying to draw attention to the GOT's
failure to give the city appropriate financial support to the
city. According to Birdal, Baydemir's statements were
intended to bring peace, not stir controversy. Despite
constantly being put in the spotlight, DTP would continue to
work constructively in parliament for tolerance and dialogue.
--------------
Debate Foreshadows Tensions To Come
--------------
6.(U) Turkish commentators covered the incident from a
variety of angles. "Milliyet's" Guneri Civaoglu referred to
Baydemir as a "roaring mouse" whose comments proved that DTP
feared losing the Diyarbakir Municipality in local elections
scheduled for 2009. Ismail Kucukkaya of "Aksam" believed the
incident foreshadowed an escalation in tension between AKP
and DTP. "Sabah's" Asli Aydintasbas called on the center
parties to be patient with DTP, lest the party be driven from
parliament, making a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem
ANKARA 00002269 002 OF 002
impossible.
7.(C) Comment: This latest war of words comes as all parties
are still sounding out DTP's presence in Parliament, and
while legal pressure against DTP members continues unabated.
Cool minds and rational dialogue are needed at this delicate
juncture. Baydemir's continued willingness to deliver brash
remarks is a bellwether of tensions to come. AKP's immediate
response indicates Erdogan is well aware of the
counter-pressures already at work in parliament; he is
putting DTP on notice that he is not about to put other
projects at risk. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON