Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA936
2007-04-20 09:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKS CONCERNED ABOUT UNBALANCED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
how-toVZCZCXRO1762 RR RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #0936 1100948 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 200948Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1805 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0934 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 1486 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN 1284 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1878 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2556
UNCLAS ANKARA 000936
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IZ AM
SUBJECT: TURKS CONCERNED ABOUT UNBALANCED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PROGRAM TO BE AIMED ON AL HURRA
UNCLAS ANKARA 000936
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IZ AM
SUBJECT: TURKS CONCERNED ABOUT UNBALANCED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PROGRAM TO BE AIMED ON AL HURRA
1. (SBU) Turkish MFA Deputy Director General for Security
Affairs Sakir Torunlar called us in April 18, under
instructions, to express concern about a program they had
heard would be aired on Iraqi TV station Al Hurra soon
regarding allegations of Armenian genocide. Torunlar said
that, were this a commercial station with advertisers, it
might be understandable, but al Hurra appears to be
congressionally funded. This was neither the appropriate
time nor the appropriate audience, he emphasized, for such a
film. If it made it into the Turkish press, the reactions
would be very unpleasant. Deputy U/S Haydar Berk, in a
separate meeting, made similar points to the Ambassador.
2. (SBU) We shared information that the Turkish desk in
Washington had been in touch with the programmers, who had
reviewed the film for balance. We stressed that it would be
the station's call, not the Embassy's or the State
Department's. We noted that there is an issue of freedom of
the press. We pointed out that these sorts of issues will
continue to arise until Turkey and Armenia take concrete
steps toward normalizing relations.
3. (SBU) Comment: The MFA's attention to detail shows
continuing Turkish sensitivities on this issue. It is one of
the prisms through which they view the world and will
continue until the sore is lanced. We hope that can occur
after parliamentary elections later this year and formation
of a new government with a fresh mandate. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU IZ AM
SUBJECT: TURKS CONCERNED ABOUT UNBALANCED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PROGRAM TO BE AIMED ON AL HURRA
1. (SBU) Turkish MFA Deputy Director General for Security
Affairs Sakir Torunlar called us in April 18, under
instructions, to express concern about a program they had
heard would be aired on Iraqi TV station Al Hurra soon
regarding allegations of Armenian genocide. Torunlar said
that, were this a commercial station with advertisers, it
might be understandable, but al Hurra appears to be
congressionally funded. This was neither the appropriate
time nor the appropriate audience, he emphasized, for such a
film. If it made it into the Turkish press, the reactions
would be very unpleasant. Deputy U/S Haydar Berk, in a
separate meeting, made similar points to the Ambassador.
2. (SBU) We shared information that the Turkish desk in
Washington had been in touch with the programmers, who had
reviewed the film for balance. We stressed that it would be
the station's call, not the Embassy's or the State
Department's. We noted that there is an issue of freedom of
the press. We pointed out that these sorts of issues will
continue to arise until Turkey and Armenia take concrete
steps toward normalizing relations.
3. (SBU) Comment: The MFA's attention to detail shows
continuing Turkish sensitivities on this issue. It is one of
the prisms through which they view the world and will
continue until the sore is lanced. We hope that can occur
after parliamentary elections later this year and formation
of a new government with a fresh mandate. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON