TURKEY: NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAM EMPHASIZES RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002282 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAM EMPHASIZES RIGHTS AND SOCIAL WELFARE REF: ANKARA 2266 Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, for Reasons 1.4 (b ,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The program of the 60th government, which PM Erdogan read on August 31, builds on the Justice and Development Party's (AKP's) previous four-and-a-half years in government by emphasizing rights and social welfare. The program signals the GOT's determination to pursue liberal democratic reforms for Turkey's sake and to deliver good governance. It dovetails with President Gul's earlier articulated goals of creating an open society. Comprehensive in scope, the program sets lofty goals on a host of issues but is relatively light on concrete benchmarks (economic policy reported septel). Reflecting the single-party government's large majority, parliament passed a vote of confidence on the new government program with 337 votes on September 5 (reftel). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) In a context of a resounding democratic victory snatched from a prematurely ended term (brought about by the April-May derailing of the presidential election process by a sequence of military, judicial, and NGO actions),the PM opened the new program by claiming his party's guiding principle is to develop the Turkish nation's confidence in the institution of politics. He pointed to his previous government's achievement in opening the European Union accession process and explained that the EU target helped Turkey reach universal standards in human rights, freedoms, and democracy. He emphasized that the new program was one of continuity. ¶3. (U) Specific points on domestic policy include: -- The country needs a civilian compromise constitution (to replace the one written under military oversight in the wake of the 1980 coup). The new constitution should put into effect the basic principles of the Republic and protect individual rights. -- Rights and freedoms of international agreements will be implemented, as will the Copenhagen Criteria. There will be "zero tolerance" for human rights violations. -- NGOs shall participate in decision-making processes. -- Media freedom is a primary issue, and the government shall take steps to ensure transparent media. -- An independent and neutral judiciary is the primary condition required to achieve justice. Disputes should be resolved quickly and alternative solutions to eliminate the burden on the courts shall be introduced. -- Public services shall be more accessible. The Provincial Special Administrations Law and the Village Law shall be issued. -- The government shall continue its uncompromising attitude in the fight against corruption. -- State offices shall function electronically, and citizens will use a single card for all public issues. -- Security forces shall be made more effective. Police and jandarma shall be furnished with employees and resources. -- The government's attitude with regard to activities aimed against the unity and integrity of the nation shall continue without any concessions, and the government shall use all legitimate means to eradicate separatist terrorism. -- All needs of the Turkish armed forces are to be met with priority. -- The principle of the social state shall be fully implemented; thus, social policies shall gain further importance. The government's goal in schooling is 100 percent in primary education and 70 percent in technical ANKARA 00002282 002 OF 003 education. Quality shall be improved. Students per classroom shall be 30. -- General health insurance system shall be put in place by ¶2008. -- The minimum wage and pensions shall be increased. -- Emphasis shall be placed on the institution of family. Domestic violence and "honor" crimes shall not be tolerated. Girls and women should participate in social life and education, as well as in professional life. -- The Directorate of Religious Affairs shall be fully empowered to provide religious services. -- The government will prioritize the environment. Water resources shall be protected. Forestation shall be accelerated; green belt forests shall be created around cities. -- Urbanization projects shall continue; the Mass Housing Administration (TOKI) will increase housing projects to 520,000 houses. -- Scientific research and development resources shall be increased to 2 percent (of GDP). ¶4. (U) On foreign policy, the Prime Minister stated that the primary goal is to improve economic, cultural, and security ties with neighboring countries and regions. Specific points include: -- The government will continue to provide support to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". Defending and assisting Turkish and related countries is a priority. -- A just solution should be found for Palestine and Lebanon. Iraq's stability and security is important for Turkey's security. The Kirkuk issue should be solved in a just way with the participation of all groups. With regard to the terrorist threat from Iraq, the government will continue to take all kinds of effective measures; it will not allow neighboring countries to be used to launch a terrorist threat against Turkey. -- EU-Turkey relations are extremely important for the world. Reforms will continue in many fields. These relations will improve transatlantic relations as well. These relations shall be enhanced in economic, technological, and cultural fields. -- Alliance with the United States and Turkey's active role in NATO are important. Relations with other countries are not alternatives to Turkey's relations with the US and EU. ¶5. (C) COMMENT. Overall, this government program places far greater emphasis on rights, freedoms, and the conditions required to achieve them than on security, terrorism, and Iraq. It complements President Gul's inauguration statement on the need for a more open society. The program focuses largely on issues that touch citizens' daily lives. It signals AKP's prioritization of a new civilian constitution (a reprise of 2002, but the April presidential election debacle has re-energized the debate); Erdogan's comment about the new constitution including the basic principles of the Republic is intended to reassure that the essential principles embodied in the first four "untouchable" articles of the current constitution will remain. The foreign policy program indicates AKP's vision of Turkey as a regional pillar, with a less prominent place -- albeit still irreplaceable -- for the United States in its hierarchy of priorities. The program also signals that while Turkey's commitment to the European Union membership process remains, the emphasis will be on benefits Turks themselves reap from reforms, as well as those benefits that accrue from mutual relations, rather than single-minded pursuit of membership. PM Erdogan's concluding note that the government will proceed by consulting with the opposition sends the right signal on consensus. It fits well with the new cabinet, which sports ANKARA 00002282 003 OF 003 faces from across the political spectrum, but will prove a tough standard for a single-party government with a large majority, facing a potentially stubborn opposition. END COMMENT. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON