Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISTANBUL50
2009-01-30 09:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Istanbul
Cable title:
GREEK ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE: DISILLUSIONMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO8940 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHIT #0050 0300931 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 300931Z JAN 09 FM AMCONSUL ISTANBUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8739 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000050
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM TU OSCE
SUBJECT: GREEK ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE: DISILLUSIONMENT
WITH AKP GROWS
UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000050
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM TU OSCE
SUBJECT: GREEK ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE: DISILLUSIONMENT
WITH AKP GROWS
1. (SBU) Summary. During a January 22 courtesy call by
Ambassador Jeffrey, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
requested the Ambassador's help in addressing the
Patriarchate's problems with the government of Turkey (GOT).
He expressed his best wishes for President Obama and his hope
that the new administration would continue to promote good
relations between Turkey and the United States. Commenting
on the Patriarchate's initial high hopes for change after the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) took power in
2002, he said the Patriarchate was "a little bit
disappointed" by the ruling party's failure to follow through
with reforms. The Patriarchate is still unable to open Halki
Seminary, must operate without a legal personality, and is
concerned about the small pool of candidates - limited by the
GOT - for the next Patriarchal election. In the face of
these challenges, the Patriarch said he remains optimistic in
part because of the recent appointment of AKP MP Egemen Bagis
to the position of State Minister for EU Affairs. End Summary.
2. (SBU) The Patriarch expressed his best wishes for
President Obama and his hope that the new administration
would continue to promote good relations between Turkey and
the United States. Commending the U.S. for providing a
positive example to be imitated around the world, he also
thanked the U.S. administration for its attentiveness and
support and for understanding the importance of the
Patriarchate. The Patriarch stressed that the "civilized
world needs to keep the Patriarchate in this place" and said
he counted on the Ambassador to continuously remind the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the problems the Patriarchate
faces. He noted that the Patriarchate had also expected
great things from the GOT after the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002 because they
are close to religion and would better understand the
Patriarchate's situation and needs. "But now we are a little
bit disappointed." The Patriarchate is unable to reacquire
"mazbut" (seized) foundations despite the amendment of the
Foundations Law in 2008, cannot reopen Halki, still does not
have a legal personality, and faces a very small pool of
eligible candidates under the GOT's current interpretation of
how the Holy Synod can elect a new Patriarch. According to
the Patriarch, the Patriarchate has no avenue for dialogue
with the GOT in which to put forth its concerns and
proposals. He cited the example of a proposed mixed
commission of the Ministry of Education with representatives
from the Patriarchate. Minister of Education Huseyin Celik
demurred, stating that such a commission was for foreigners
and the Greek Orthodox in Turkey were part of the Turkish
family.
3. (SBU) The Patriarch said he cannot understand why the GOT
"insists so much on not reopening Halki." He related a
conversation with Celik who said he did not see any legal
problems with the reopening of the seminary and suggested
that reopening Halki "may come soon with so much progress in
the country." The best proof to the world of Turkey's
tolerance would be the opening of Halki, the Patriarch said,
and entreated the Ambassador to help in reopening Halki. The
Ambassador said he will do all possible to support the
Patriarchate and suggested that the Patriarchate also press
the GOT to solve these concerns before Istanbul takes on the
mantle of the European City of Culture in 2010.
4. (SBU) In the face of these challenges, the Patriarch said
he remains optimistic in part because of the recent
appointment of Istanbul AKP MP Egemen Bagis to the position
of Minister to EU Affairs. According to him, Bagis has a
better understanding of the Patriarchate's problems and is
better poised to affect change with the EU. Specifically, he
said the Turkish administration needs to understand that the
Patriarchate is not a threat to Turkey, but instead a
privilege. The Patriarch said he was hosting Bagis for
dinner at his residence that evening to further deepen their
discussion of these issues.
Wiener
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREF PHUM TU OSCE
SUBJECT: GREEK ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE: DISILLUSIONMENT
WITH AKP GROWS
1. (SBU) Summary. During a January 22 courtesy call by
Ambassador Jeffrey, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
requested the Ambassador's help in addressing the
Patriarchate's problems with the government of Turkey (GOT).
He expressed his best wishes for President Obama and his hope
that the new administration would continue to promote good
relations between Turkey and the United States. Commenting
on the Patriarchate's initial high hopes for change after the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) took power in
2002, he said the Patriarchate was "a little bit
disappointed" by the ruling party's failure to follow through
with reforms. The Patriarchate is still unable to open Halki
Seminary, must operate without a legal personality, and is
concerned about the small pool of candidates - limited by the
GOT - for the next Patriarchal election. In the face of
these challenges, the Patriarch said he remains optimistic in
part because of the recent appointment of AKP MP Egemen Bagis
to the position of State Minister for EU Affairs. End Summary.
2. (SBU) The Patriarch expressed his best wishes for
President Obama and his hope that the new administration
would continue to promote good relations between Turkey and
the United States. Commending the U.S. for providing a
positive example to be imitated around the world, he also
thanked the U.S. administration for its attentiveness and
support and for understanding the importance of the
Patriarchate. The Patriarch stressed that the "civilized
world needs to keep the Patriarchate in this place" and said
he counted on the Ambassador to continuously remind the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the problems the Patriarchate
faces. He noted that the Patriarchate had also expected
great things from the GOT after the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002 because they
are close to religion and would better understand the
Patriarchate's situation and needs. "But now we are a little
bit disappointed." The Patriarchate is unable to reacquire
"mazbut" (seized) foundations despite the amendment of the
Foundations Law in 2008, cannot reopen Halki, still does not
have a legal personality, and faces a very small pool of
eligible candidates under the GOT's current interpretation of
how the Holy Synod can elect a new Patriarch. According to
the Patriarch, the Patriarchate has no avenue for dialogue
with the GOT in which to put forth its concerns and
proposals. He cited the example of a proposed mixed
commission of the Ministry of Education with representatives
from the Patriarchate. Minister of Education Huseyin Celik
demurred, stating that such a commission was for foreigners
and the Greek Orthodox in Turkey were part of the Turkish
family.
3. (SBU) The Patriarch said he cannot understand why the GOT
"insists so much on not reopening Halki." He related a
conversation with Celik who said he did not see any legal
problems with the reopening of the seminary and suggested
that reopening Halki "may come soon with so much progress in
the country." The best proof to the world of Turkey's
tolerance would be the opening of Halki, the Patriarch said,
and entreated the Ambassador to help in reopening Halki. The
Ambassador said he will do all possible to support the
Patriarchate and suggested that the Patriarchate also press
the GOT to solve these concerns before Istanbul takes on the
mantle of the European City of Culture in 2010.
4. (SBU) In the face of these challenges, the Patriarch said
he remains optimistic in part because of the recent
appointment of Istanbul AKP MP Egemen Bagis to the position
of Minister to EU Affairs. According to him, Bagis has a
better understanding of the Patriarchate's problems and is
better poised to affect change with the EU. Specifically, he
said the Turkish administration needs to understand that the
Patriarchate is not a threat to Turkey, but instead a
privilege. The Patriarch said he was hosting Bagis for
dinner at his residence that evening to further deepen their
discussion of these issues.
Wiener