TURKEY: PRESIDENT GUL OFF TO A PURPOSEFUL BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002405

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: PRESIDENT GUL OFF TO A PURPOSEFUL BUT
CAUTIOUS START

REF: ANKARA 02403

Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, for Reasons 1.4 (b
,d)


1. (C) Summary and Comment. President Gul's first weeks in
office have set the tone for a more open, accessible, and
constructively engaged presidency than that of his
predecessor, Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Gul is trying to
demonstrate that he represents all Turks, not just those who
voted for his former Justice and Development Party (AKP),and
appears to be working to neutralize secularist fears that his
presidency will oversee the end of the secular Republic.
Grudging signs of minimal courtesy are gradually being
wrested from the military. Meanwhile, what is coming to be
called the "headscarf protocol" has generals literally
jumping to avoid shaking hands with headscarved Mrs. Gul.
Several upcoming events will give more clues to what kind of
presidency we can expect from Abdullah Gul. End Summary and
Comment.

Careful First Steps Seek to Overcome Snubs
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2. (C) In a flurry of receptions opening his tenure, Gul
broadened presidential guest lists to include a more
representative swath of organizations, including the Human
Rights Association and Alevi leaders. New weekly public
tours of the presidential palace (the working offices as well
the museum) signal Gul's intention to be a more accessible
president than his predecessor.


3. (C) How Gul conducted his two initial trips -- by now
protocol for incoming Presidents -- offers a window into his
approach to the presidency. Gul's first official travel was
to the troubled Southeast, where he literally reached out and
touched the people, more broadly and tangibly than had his
predecessor. There he met with the provincial governors,
local officials, NGOs, and Van's 100 Yil University, but paid
no formal call on the controversial mayor of
Diyarbakir (although they did shake hands upon Gul's arrival
in the city and met privately on the margins of an NGO
meeting). He preached reconciliation and advised people that
it would help them receive the services they deserved. He
mingled with cheering locals, in stark contrast to his stiff
predecessor. He sought to reassure the military that the
fight against terrorism would continue, and showed his
appreciation for military efforts by breaking the Ramadan
fast with soldiers serving near the Iraqi border.


4. (C) Gul's first trip "abroad" -- to the "Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" -- also de rigeur, was as much a
domestic trip, well-chosen as both an object of Turkish
national affection and investment, and also as a military
priority. On his September 18-19 trip, he reiterated Turkish
commitment to the "TRNC," calling on the EU in particular to
end the Turkish Cypriots' economic isolation, and for a
unitary settlement that acknowledged the two separate
communities. He also defended the role of the Turkish army,
which maintains troops on the island.


5. (C) Gul signaled his intent to remain engaged with the
U.S. by meeting with U/S Burns on September 19 -- a leap down
in protocol which was organized by a Gul "drop by" at a Burns
meeting with his Secretary General. Similarly, he
highlighted his commitment to European relations by agreeing
to address the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly --
with which he has longstanding relations -- in October.


6. (SBU) Gul has approved 5 government appointments so far,
with some moderate controversy. Tahsin Burcuoglu, new NSC
Secretary General, had been turned down for that post by

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President Sezer, who had been irritated by the government's
failure to consult with him (he cited no complaints against
Burcuoglu personally, however) (reftel). Sezer had twice
rejected Sehabettin Harput, Interior Ministry U/S, who later
earned the informal title of "Pirate U/S" when -- as Acting
U/S to then-Interior Minister Aksu -- he began signing
documents as "U/S." In 2000, Harput had been recalled to
Ankara from the Urfa governorship after calling on an

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audience at the opening of a girls' Koran course to "gather
round the Koran." Of the 26 government decrees that have
crossed the new president's desk, Gul approved 15 and is
studying the other 11.


7. (C) Left with little option in the face of a generally
satisfied public, top generals have grudgingly come a long
way in the past few weeks, at least superficially. After
weak excuses for their conspicuous absence from President
Gul's August 28 swearing-in, Turkish General Staff CHOD
Buyukanit on September 10 formally called on Gul to
congratulate him, just prior to Gul,s departure for the
Southeast. Initially referring to Gul coldly as "Mr.
President," Buyukanit recently adopted the more customary "My
President." None of the force commanders accompanied the
president to the Southeast, where he was met by the local
Jandarma helicopter fleet command (the CHOD had accompanied
President Sezer there in 2001). Following his return to
Ankara, Gul made an official return courtesy call on
Buyukanit at TGS, an unusual event from a protocol
standpoint, forcing TGS to receive him with full ceremony.


8. (C) Meanwhile the First Lady has tried, not altogether
successfully, to avoid situations that might lead to public
snubs. The headscarf-toting Mrs. Gul initially sat out
official receptions and ceremonies, even those hosted by her
husband. She remained in the background on their two-day
"TRNC" visit; even so, military officials bent over backwards
to avoid her. The normal airport military ceremony to
welcome the President to the "TRNC" was relocated to the
presidential palace and limited to the visiting President,
with a two- and three-star general attending. Mrs. Gul broke
the fast privately with "TRNC First Lady" Mrs. Talat, while
President Gul did so with the generals, who departed before
the start of "President" Talat's reception (which Mrs. Gul
attended). Upon the Gul's return to Ankara, the three-star
general present at the airport jumped across the red carpet
apparently to dodge shaking Mrs. Gul's hand; he later denied
that motive for his behavior. Mrs. Gul has yet to move into
the presidential palace; renovation works will preclude the
family's arrival for at least six months, according to press.

Five Benchmark Moments
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9. (C) President Gul's Chief Foreign Policy Advisor, former
ambassador to Tehran Gurcan Turkoglu, told us Gul's "TRNC"
visit was the first of a series of key speeches over the next
two months in which he will address a variety of audiences.
They will provide insights into the kind of presidency we can
expect. The military's response will also be closely tracked
for signs of a truce, if not a thaw in relations. From the
"general watchers'" perspective, a key event will be the
October 29 Turkish Independence Day reception, which Gul will
host with his wife. The remaining four speeches are:

--October 1: Gul will deliver opening remarks at parliament.
--October 2/3: Gul will address the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly.
--October 31: Gul will address the Iraq Expanded Neighbors
ministerial in Istanbul.
--November 17: Gul will address the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) Economic and Commercial Cooperation
Permanent Committee.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON