"New YÖK head gives green light for headscarf in universities
The new YÖK chair, headscarf ban, Kurdish question, a possible amnesty for PKK members are busy-ing our minds as well as Sarkozy's love for Turks...
Leaving terrorists in the mountain or pulling them down
Cengiz ÇANDAR
Turkey's Chief of Staff General Yasar Buyukanit (C) attends a conference flanked by Sea Forces Commander General Muzaffer Metin Atac (L) and Air Force Commander General Aydogan Babaoglu (R) in Ankara December 11, 2007.
REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)
New YÖK head gives green light for headscarf in universities
The newly appointed Higher Education Board (YÖK) president in his first comments has promised to deliver a new liberal era for universities, hinting that his priority is to lift all bans in institutions of higher education and to boost scientific research. Yusuf Ziya Özcan, a sociologyEastern Kemalists, Too, Do Not Understand Turkey
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News] In last weekend's edition of the Turkish Daily News, fellow columnist Orhan Kemal Cengiz had a brilliant piece titled “Western Kemalists do not understand Turkey.” His main point was that “Western Kemalists,” who are “huge fans of Atatürk and the ‘revolution' he and his friends brought about in our country” fail to get Turkey right. They, for example, unquestioningly buy into the creation myth of Republican Turkey — that the pre-Republican (i.e., Ottoman) period was an age of “darkness.” By showing several examples, Mr. Cengiz argued otherwise.The headscarf ban
Debates on the Islamic headscarf in Turkey began as early as the 1960s, when students began showing up at university campuses with their heads covered. Up to that point, IslamicIs the headscarf a political symbol?
There have always been a series of topics that we pull onto the agenda to debate in a false frenzy in Turkey, even when these topics don’t necessarily correspond to any real societal tension.Perceptions of Kurds and Turks by BEJAN MATUR
Discussions over a legal instrument that will ensure that those in mountains abandon violence have restarted. We all wonder how effective implementation of the projected law will affect central politics.
Thousands of Turks, holding national flags and posters of modern Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk, joined prosecutors and lawyers who were protesting a government regulation to recruit attorneys, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. A new legislation by Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, which has its roots in political Islam, requires the judges and prosecutors to be interviewed by the Justice Ministry to get hired. Critics say the new regulation might politicize the judiciary and harm its impartiality.
(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)Media watchdog names Hrant Dink 'World Press Freedom Hero'
The International Press Institute named Hrant Dink, the murdered editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Ago, as one of its World Press Freedom Heroes on Monday. "Hrant Dink'sTurkey's Iraqi border and Barzani
Orhan KİLERCİOĞLUWhat does Erdoğan think?
The issue is the threat posed by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt and Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun have interesting takes on this issue.
Fenerbahce supporters celebrate their team's 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow in their Champions League Group G soccer match at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul December 12, 2007.
REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY)2008 and problems
The resolution of Turkey's problems lies in democracy and the rule of law. An order of deep-rooted justice is the guarantee of everyone's rights.Google search for popular Turks
The Dutch ''search'' for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Australians for Turkish delight, according to the latest addition to Google, the largest search engine on the Web, that groups the mostA new chapter in Turkish higher education
With the appointment of Yusuf Ziya Özcan as the new president of Turkey’s Higher Education Board (YÖK), there is renewed hope for the future of the Turkish university system.Setting higher education free
Anyone who thinks national politics is vicious has never been seen the backstabbing that goes on behind the water cooler in any university senior common room.Headscarf, hegemony and the Kemalists
A recent public opinion survey conducted by Konda indicates that over the last four years the number of women who wear the headscarf has increased by 5 percent.Is the PKK ‘out of control’?
Units connected with the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have been carrying out operations aimed at Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorism for days now along the Turkish-Iraqi border.In the aftermath of a peculiar survey by MUSTAFA ACAR
Winds of change blow at YÖK with new head
Newly appointed Higher Education Board (YÖK) Chairman Yusuf Ziya Özcan's first statements highlighted the importance of freedoms and academic studies at universities and brought to mind the question of whether a new era is about the begin at YÖK, whose name has always been associated with regime struggles, prohibitions and ideological polarization.‘Miss' human rights
by OKAY GÖNENSİN, VATAN
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt noted on Tuesday at a symposium titled "Prevention of Economic and Ideological Support for the PKK" that notions like democracy, human rights and the rule of law serve the interests of the PKK terrorist organization.Let them call it ‘surrender law'
by MUSTAFA KARAALİOĞLU, STAR
Whenever we put the terrorism problem on the table, we dwell on issues we would encounter on the path to eradication of the terrorist organization rather than our objectives.Press Roundup
Descend from the mountains, return home
by HASAN CEMAL, MİLLİYET
The Kurdish issue, violence and the PKK problem stand out among Turkey's problems which require immediate resolution.Press Roundup
An uphill battle awaits new YÖK head
In a surprise move on Monday, President Abdullah Gül appointed a moderate and liberal professor, Yusuf Ziya Özcan, from the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), as the new chairman of the Higher Education Board (YÖK), which is among the most controversial institutions in Turkey.Prospects of Erdoğan’s ‘return home’ plan questioned
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's announcement of a new plan to bring the terrorists of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) down from the mountains as part of efforts to root out PKK terrorism has triggered various reactions across the country.Rise of religion in cities
by TAHA AKYOL, MİLLİYET
The survey conducted recently by Tarhan Erdem, the head of the Konda research group, on the use of the headscarf among Turkish women has had great repercussions both in the country and abroad and triggered heated debates on the composition of Turkish society.Press Roundup
Religion, laicism and the headscarf survey
by HASAN CELAL GÜZEL, RADİKAL
According to a survey conducted recently by Tarhan Erdem, the head of Konda research group, the Turkish nation consists of a devout, believing and conservative society.After Erdoğan Teziç
by MÜMTAZ’ER TÜRKÖNE, ZAMAN
The deeds of Erdoğan Teziç, former chairman of the Higher Education Board (YÖK) whose term in office ended on Saturday, in the field of education are not worthy of remembrance.Press Roundup
Parliament, DTP and politics in the battlefield
by CENGİZ ÇANDAR, REFERANS
One of the most significant results of the July 22 polls was that it ended up forming a Parliament compatible with the requirements of a “representative democracy” and strengthening the democratic parliamentary system.The difference Gül makes
by YASİN DOĞAN, YENİ ŞAFAK
We may note several differences between the former president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and the current one, Abdullah Gül.Regime of gangs
by GÜLAY GÖKTÜRK, BUGÜN
The Turkish nation, which is keen on dwelling on regime discussions, had better put Shariah debates, which are indeed a figment of its imagination, aside and focus on the regime of gangs.Gen. Saygun: US, EU and NATO use moral values to obtain their demands from Turkey
The New Anatolian / Ankara 13 December 2007
Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun said on Tuesday it was necessary to weaken both the terrorists' motivation and ability to engage in acts of terror."
Bianet :: YÖK's New President: Yusuf Ziya Özcan
The Turkish Generals’ Talk: The Strategic Insights of Turkey’s Struggle with the PKK
Turkish Weekly Opinion - A Personal Evaluation of Nuclear Energy in Turkey- 2007Reports: Turkey considers new plan to make Kurdish rebels surrender - International Herald Tribune
Analysis: Turkish worries over Iraq - METimes.com
Gül marks his first 100 days
Turkey's 11th President Abdullah Gül completed 100 days in office yesterday, providing a landmark to make a fair evaluation on his performance thus far. “I can say the president does not emit aPro-Kurd party leader decides to stay in Europe a bit longer
The leader of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), Nurettin Demirtaş, announced he would stay in Europe this month to attend events organized by European chapters of the party.Corruption not too bad in Turkey, reveals study
Turks find their government to be somewhat effective in fighting corruption, a recent study by the global coalition against corruption, Transparency International, has revealed, placingParliament, DTP and 'politics on low ground'
Cengiz ÇANDARThe budget, the Constitution and women rights
Murat YETKİNPeer pressure
It sometimes appears as if certain developments emerge out of the blue, without a background. Is it really so? For example, what is the relevance of a president traveling to Pakistan to lend some brotherly assistance to a country – considered by an overwhelming majority of Turks as Turkey's best and unconditional friend all the time and under any condition – to come out from a serious political crisis and a “stray” letter somehow made its way on the way to the Presidency into a dossier prepared by the Higher Education Board (YÖK) in relation to appointment of a new rector to a university?Later it was revealed by the outgoing YÖK President Professor Erdoğan Teziç and confirmed byTurkish Press Scanner
MİLLİYET Injured person falls out of ambulanceA man injured in a traffic accident in Ankara fell out on the street when the door of the ambulance that was taking him to hospital suddenly opened by itself, the daily Milliyet reported yesterday. The accident took place on Hipodrom Street in Ankara's Yenimahalle district. A car driven by Emrah Uzun, 22, was hurled toward a pedestrian island across a gas station. Passengers Uzun and Mehmet Ali Kocaman were injured after the car crashed into trees on the pedestrian island. Passersby immediately called an ambulance to transport the injured persons to the nearest hospital.Will the penitancce law bring a solution?
Murat YETKİN
EDM NIE REPORT EASES PRESSURE ON TURKEY OVER TIES WITH IRAN
Turkey ready for another political burial
Charged with anti-government activity and linked to terrorist groups, a fledgling pro-Kurdish group may become the 26th political party in 25 years to be shut down and banned by Turkey's hardline Constitutional Court. Another banning may endanger Turkey's entry into the European Union
Jamestown The Turkish Generals’ Talk: The Strategic Insights of Turkey’s Struggle with the PKK regarding the Balkans' future:
The PKK - Alternate Battleground
Counterterrorism Blog
New Yok Chairman And The Headscarf Issue
Turkish Press - Plymouth,MI,USA
BY HALUK SAHIN RADIKAL- President Abdullah Gul's decision to appoint Yusuf Ziya Ozcan head of the Board of Higher Education (YOK) made big headlines ...
The DTP made mistakes, but it was forced to do so
Why is The AKP Reasonable on Kurds?
Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu Fresh but once again controversial amnesty attempt
F-type prisons show improvement in human rights standards
The Transformation of Kurdish and Kurdistan Society to ‘Civic Loyalties’ By Karim Hasan Abdullah
EDM TURKISH MILITARY ADMITS LOSING PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR, TARGETS KURDISH MPS
Washington Post KURDISTAN The Kurdish Question How a rebel group has tried to capture a people's aspirations
Ali Bulaç Is the PKK 'out of control'?
Speech by KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani
Kurdistan Regional Government
PKK may be divided along ethnic lines
KATZ: Will Turkey invade northern Iraq?
Middle East Times
Few facts in Turkey border battles
Turkish Press Scanner
BUGÜN Mosaics in archaeology museum about to fall apart The second largest mosaic museum in the world, the Antakya Archeology Museum, asks to receive financial support from the state as well as from businessmen in order to protect mosaics, the daily Bugün reported yesterday. Archaeologists at the museum, where more than 34,000 works of art are being exhibited, face difficulties in protecting the mosaics and other art works. Especially the mosaics from the Roman period have traces of mould because of the humidity. In addition to hundreds of historical artifacts, the Antakya Archeology Museum is also home to various ancient mosaics exhibited on a total of 127
Baykal's main rival out of CHP
A ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeals has dismissed Istanbul's Şişli mayor from the Republican People's Party (CHP). Şişli Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül is considered CHP leader Deniz
DTP deputies disturbance for everyone: Toptan
Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan expressed his discomfort about the extra-parliamentary activities of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) deputies who refuse to declare the outlawed Kurdistan
Turkish Press Scanner
Zaman Turks work at US military bases in Iraq Young Turkish workers who went to U.S. military bases near Baghdad to work and earn high salaries are disappointed because of the low wages and tough working conditions, the daily Zaman reported yesterday. The daily quoted İslam Balcık, 24, a former Turkish worker at U.S. camps in Iraq as saying he was very happy when he learned that the United States was hiring workers and paying about $1,500 in Iraq. But Balcık was disappointed when he was paid just $850 a month after starting work and the working standards were harsh. U.S. bases pay subcontractors between $5,000-6,000 for a worker who in turn pay workers between $700-1,500. The
Comments
real men cros their legs..))
Posted by: Hans | December 15, 2007 01:03 AM
Hello,
Could you please, provide me with some more information about the Higher Education reform in Turkey? I've heard that they do not hire new faculty members starting from the 14.02.08. is that true?
Posted by: Elena | February 25, 2008 11:25 PM