TURKEY:AMERICANS, HOMOSEXUALS AND BIKINIS NOT

UNCLAS ANKARA 000824 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV TU SUBJECT: TURKEY:AMERICANS, HOMOSEXUALS AND BIKINIS NOT WELCOME HERE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Istanbul's Bahcesehir University conducted a face-to-face survey with 1,714 Turks on radicalism and extremism as measured by neighborhood tolerance in 34 cities. The poll revealed high levels of intolerance toward non-Muslim, American, homosexual, and non-married neighbors. It also revealed conservative attitudes toward atheists, alcohol consumption, and modern revealing clothes such as women's bathing suits and shorts. Surprisingly, respondents aged 15-18 demonstrated the highest levels of intolerance. Critics point to respondents' lack of education on the issues and low level of poll-taking sophistication as some of the main reasons for such xenophobic results. Many placed the highest blame on the EU (over Israel and US foreign policy) as the greatest reason behind the world's problems today. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Istanbul's Bahcesehir University conducted a face-to-face survey, published June 1,with 1,714 Turks from 34 cities to gauge Turkish public opinion on radicalism and extremism based upon tolerance of different groups, lifestyles, and ideologies. The pollsters asked a series of questions regarding neighborhood pressures. The study showed that three out of four people do not want a neighbor who drinks alcohol or is an atheist. Meanwhile, 43 percent responded that they did not want to live next to Americans. The survey also revealed high intolerance for unmarried couples, families with daughters who wear shorts, and homosexuals. Perhaps most troubling were results which revealed that those aged 15-18 demonstrated the highest levels of intolerance, especially related to non-Muslims, homosexuals, and Americans. ¶3. (SBU) Approximately 10 percent of respondents reported feeling subject to neighborhood pressures and discrimination because of their religious beliefs. When asked "Which of these important values would you prioritize?" over 60 percent replied religion. Only 16 percent selected secularism, 13 percent democracy, and five percent their ethnic identity. An estimated five percent reported discrimination due to religious belief or gender; four percent reported discrimination due to their secular association. Six percent said they face social or status discrimination due to their "mother tongue." (NOTE: "Mother tongue" is a frequently used euphemism for Kurdish. END NOTE) However, 69 percent agreed that Islamic extremism was a threat to Turkey. ¶4. (SBU) The study also showed negative attitudes toward women and their place in society. Over 70 percent indicated that the head of the household in Turkey should be a man. 35 percent agreed that a woman's testimony in court should be held equal to only half that of a man's because "women are emotional." Almost 60 percent believed that men are better political leaders than women, despite Turkey having been governed by a female Prime Minister (Tansu Ciller) in the 1990's. Roughly 60 percent indicated that women walking on the beach in a swimsuit is a "sin" and 36 percent said they did not want to have neighbors whose daughters wore shorts. While 89 percent of Turks surveyed opposed polygamy, 78 percent condoned the stoning of women to death for adultery. However, 63 percent said it was "irrational" for women worldwide to cover their faces with veils. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Some critics have called the validity of the study into question, citing respondents' "discomfort with the issues." Police reportedly detained groups of pollsters in several cities after respondents complained that some of the survey questions had made them uncomfortable, particularly questions regarding the Kurdish issue, and lifestyle preferences. It is possible a lack of understanding of the issues also played an important role in dictating respondents' answers. Some commentators were incredulous at the selection of the EU (over Israel, terrorism and USG foreign policy) as the primary proponent of policies that cause the world's problems. This represents, perhaps, a backlash against European leaders who continue to use the prospect of Turkish membership in the EU as a political football. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey JEFFREY