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

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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

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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