TURKS DISTRUST BOTH FOREIGNERS AND SHARIA LAW

UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000098 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY -- ADDING ADD'L ADDRESSEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKS DISTRUST BOTH FOREIGNERS AND SHARIA LAW ¶1. (U) Summary: A poll released in February found that most Turks are distrustful of foreigners and fearful that the country will be divided by outside forces. The poll commissioned by the mainstream Hurriyet newspaper and conducted by well regarded polling firm Konda Research also found many Turks worried Islamic law will become the law of the land. While nearly all respondents supported democracy at all times, less than half also said the military should be able to intervene if necessary. The data shows a nation divided over the role of religion in society. However, the scales are clearly tilted in favor of those with a more religious lifestyle. Konda Chairman Erdem pointed to gender inequities as the basis of all of TurkeyQs societal ills -- providing results that show prevailing paternal attitudes towards women. End Summary. Many Turks still fighting the War of Independence -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Results from a 2008 nationwide survey of 6,482 respondents commissioned by Hurriyet newspaper showed Turks are generally distrustful of outside influences. At a public unveiling of the poll results, Tarhan Erdem, Chairman of Konda, stated the survey found nearly eighty percent of Turks agreed with the proposition that "foreign governments were the source behind the Kurdish and southeastern problems". Moreover, about 75 percent of the respondents opposed foreigners buying land in Turkey, and roughly the same number said they feared Turkey will be divided. Columnist Ahmet Insel, of the daily Radikal who spoke at the release of the poll results, said these results show there are many Turks who still feel the War of Independence is ongoing and Turkey needs to continue to be vigilant against these threats. ¶3. (U) The survey showed Turks overwhelmingly favoring a democratic government at all times, yet 48 percent conversely believes the military needs to have the right to intervene. Erdem, who noted the poll found that the more modern, educated, and secular cluster of society was the most supportive of military intervention, commented that it was ironic that those who most strenuously claim to support western values are the most willing to turn their backs on democracy. Many are fearful of Sharia Law; Yet Turkish Society is Religious -------------- -------------- �00A; ¶4. (U) The survey found nearly six out of ten respondents were fearful of Sharia law coming to Turkey, and about the same number agreeing "state and religious affairs should be separated". Turkish society, however, is quite religious, with twoQthirds identifying themselves as either pious or extremely devout. Over 70 percent of women respondents said they cover their heads; of which 13 percent said they wear the "turban" a readily identifiable style of wearing the headscarf common in urban Turkey and viewed by many as a political statement. ¶5. (SBU) In a separate meeting Bekir Agirdir, Manager of Konda, told us that it is grossly over-simplified to divide Turkey into religious and secular groups. Deeper analysis of the data reveals a more complicated society. If you define society on a purely religious/secular axis, Agirdir cautioned, the religious sectors clearly outnumber the secular sectors. Agirdir told us Turkey has become more polarized since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) convincingly won the general election in 2007. Prime Minister ErodganQs language has become more pious since his victory, sparking a counter-response from secular columnists and driving the debate into an uneven battle in favor of those seeking a more religious Turkey. Turkish society is more balanced if you compare those who want the country to become more "modern" to those who oppose change, according to Agirdir. There are many religious Turks who are educated and want to modernize. These people will back economic and social reforms, adding their su pport to the more secular Turks, yet Agirdir believes the old debate over religion will impede progress; driving a deeper wedge into society. Reducing Gender Inequity Necessary to Solve Turkey's Ills -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Erdem argued Turkey's patriarchal society is damaging the nation's development since women are excluded from significant parts of the economy. Reducing the inequity is key to ameliorating all of Turkey's other societal problem, according to Erdem. The poll, however, showed that this is a large barrier for the nation to overcome. Nearly 70 percent of the respondents stated that a woman needs permission from her husband in order to work outside the house. Nearly 60 percent of the respondents said women in their househol never are allowed to leave the house with sleeveess shirts. Erdem pointed to these results to sow Turkish women are not even free in their privte lives. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: The Konda poll add to existing evidence that Turks harbor very hosile perceptions towards other counties. A 19-coutry BBC World Service Poll released in February ound that Turks held some of the most negative atitudes within the survey toward many foreign counries. A majority of Turks held negative opinionsregarding most of the countries mentioned in the oll, including some that barely capture the attetion of the media such as: India, South Africa, apan, and Brazil. This blanket distrust of manynations provides evidence that the "War of Indepndence" does continue for many Turks. Moreover, the increasing polarization over religion in societ that Agirdir noted appears to be another conflit for Turks to face. The polling results indicat it is not a balanced fight. WIENER