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August 11, 2008

PR campaign of Turkish Army in Southeast...

Turkish Army had a Public Relations strategy in Southeast in Kurdish areas. News in Turkish here and here. The huge Ergenekon indictment has become a wonderful source for journalists. Today's highlighted finding is the Army's PR Strategy. PR Strategy at work since 2005.

Some recommendations to the army officials-with my quick translation-:
* don't expose naked dead bodies of PKK guerillas,
* don't drink alcoholic beverages in public,
* local habits, traditions and values might be different from yours but never tease them at their faces,
* never despise the locals,
* never enter anywhere without greeting people there, hand shake all available there if possible - they will be honored with that-, if you are young, kiss elders' hands,
* be respectful to women, don't try to hand shake with women,
* don't change your accent to have an artificial one in order to be closer to them,
* be helpful in funerals,
* attend bairam prayers,
* attend iftar dinners in Ramazan, and organize iftars,
* Kurdish people mostly belong Shafism of Islam. In this school of Islam, dogs are assumed to be dirty and forbidden. don't love dogs in public and don't have them as pets at home.

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August 04, 2008

"EU reforms are the best remedy for post-case era

EU reforms are the best remedy for post-case era

President Abdullah Gül urged the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, to revive the reform process aimed at aligning the country with the democratic norms of the European Union, days

These were found in Dogs of War (Satirical Maps of the First World War)

Sommerschau über Europa 1915
{Summer Review of Europe, 1915}
(by Lucas Gräfe; Hamburg, AK [pub.], 1915)

Continue reading ""EU reforms are the best remedy for post-case era" »

Erkan comments on a Quranic verse (al-Baqara, 205) and a roundup follows



A dead cow killed in the fires engulfing woodlands in the coastal ...

A dead cow killed in the fires engulfing woodlands in the coastal tourism province of Antalya lies on the ground August 2, 2008. Firefighters worked through the night to bring under control a forest fire which engulfed 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in the Turkish province of Antalya, the state Anatolian news agency said on Saturday.

REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

After reading in Sabah today that 16 million trees are probably destroyed in Antalya wildfires, a Quranic verse came to my mind. I remembered it vaguely and did some net search to find the exact statement. It is the 205th verse from Al-Baqarah (in three different English translations): 
 
002.205
YUSUFALI: When he turns his back, His aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah loveth not mischief.
PICKTHAL: And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.
SHAKIR: And when he turn,s back, he runs along in the land that he may cause mischief in it and destroy the tilth and the stock, and Allah does not love mischief-making.

Allah talks about the infidels. I have no intention to start a theological argument as I am not very knowledgeable. It is a sort of abstract portrayal of some infidels. However, the section I highlighted, now I argue, can be applied to Turks. Now Article 301 -Insulting Turkishness article of Turkish Penal Code- will crush me but I don't intend to insult and I myself a Turk anyway. It is really heartbreaking to see these within a week:
a) Massive forest desctruction in Antalya,
b) 16-19 female students are killed in Konya because of weak building structure of the dorm they were staying,
c) Construction work on the highway between Cevizlibağ to Mecidiköy which might be good for Istanbulites in the end but now creates a stupidly dangerous site to drive through. Lanes stop or change abruptly. Sometimes too much lighting that kills your eyes or no lighting at all. I can't believe people in charge can be so free of responsibility for our lives and places. But dammit. They live with impunity.

Anyway, we are such a nation that after draining a whole continent (Central Asia), had settled in heavenly Anatolia and after spreading the tragedy we are now moving forward to Europe... This post is written after driving back from airport: I was about to start a fight with two separate mean cab drivers on my way back in two separate contexts. (I wasvery glad to see that before these happened, I saw one guy stopping his car, getting out, going back towards the cab that was harassing him and start to kick the cab driver. Policemen intervened immediately -it was the airport area- but the surprised cab driver had already received some fists). On my way, the usual exit to Dolapdere was closed without notice so i had to find a different route. No, I am not depressed at all. I am fine. I have had another productive day before i got into this temporary anger and frustration. Please take my ideas cautiously and not much seriously:)  

In the mean time, here is our new Chief of Staff, İlker Başbuğ. He is known to be as tough as the previous one:

Times On-Line: ‘Ice warrior’ poised to repel rise of Islamic rule in Turkey - by John Swain

by John Swain The next chief of the armed forces is being chosen this weekend at the end of a tumultuous week. Two PKK terrorist bombs exploded last Sunday night in Istanbul, killing 17 people, including five children whose bodies were riddled with shrapnel. Sandhurst-trained Basbug, 65, will have the top job for the next two years. He is a formidable military figure and an ideological hardliner who will ensure that Erdogan’s government - which was elected last year with 47% of the vote but is mistrusted by the military, which sees itself as guardian of a secular society - walks a narrow political line. 

Continue reading "Erkan comments on a Quranic verse (al-Baqara, 205) and a roundup follows" »

July 31, 2008

"EU hails ruling on Turkish party

EU hails ruling on Turkish party

The EU expresses relief at the Turkish Constitutional Court's decision not to ban the ruling AK Party.

Turkey's EU hopes alive as ruling party escapes closure

In a closely watched case, Turkey's Constitutional Court yesterday (30 July) decided not to close down the ruling AKP party, but to send it "a serious warning" by cutting off half of the party's funding. The move relieved Turkey of its fear that the EU could put accession talks on hold.

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July 27, 2008

While Erkan was on the road 4- Parliament committee confirms neglect in Dink murder

Galip hoca and Erkan. Lake Acıgöl in the background.  

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July 20, 2008

"Turkey to receive 495 million euro pre-accession EU aid

Turkey to receive 495 million euro pre-accession EU aid

Turkey will benefit from new European Union funds thanks to the implementation of a new mechanism allocating funds to countries that are candidates for membership in the bloc. A recent contract signed between Ankara and Brussels grants Turkey the first lot of financial assistance, amounting to 497 million euros, while the amount will rise to 781 million euros in the fifth lot."

Turk PM says his country rejects any alternatives for EU

The EU will show Turkey ‘tough love’ by AMANDA AKÇAKOCA

There has been a lot of speculation over the likely response of the European Union if the Constitutional Court decides to close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and/or ban 71 of its leading politicians.

 

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July 16, 2008

"The Union for the Mediterranean and a usual round up on EU affairs...

The Union for the Mediterranean

By nosemonkey

Launched officially today, and I’ve yet to work out what it’s all for (bar an ego trip for Sarkozy and a jolly for various heads of state, that is).

Mark Mardell has the handiest overview I’ve found so far - and also doesn’t seem to know quite what to make of it. Wikipedia is, as ever, useful if taken with a pinch of salt - largely thanks to the overview of the controversies and squabbles that have marred its birth.

One thing that is fun, however, is to compare the map of this new international club with that of the Roman Empire at its height

Turkey complex

By ERDAL ŞAFAK, SABAH

Will the "victory" announced by French President [Nicolas] Sarkozy in the opening summit of the new Union for the Mediterranean on Sunday in Paris' Grand Palais be enough to save at least one part of France's post in the Middle East?

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July 14, 2008

"Mediterranean union is launched

Mediterranean union is launched

French President Nicolas Sarkozy launches a Union for the Mediterranean, aimed at ending Mid-East conflict.

Club Med promises

By Boz

Get your textbooks ready and solar panels out:

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July 10, 2008

"TURKEY TURNS AWAY FROM THE FUTURE

TURKEY TURNS AWAY FROM THE FUTURE


a7a069fdfd4ff0c362ffe218e89fb831.jpgUntil very recently, Turkey was an emerging economic success story; a role model for Islamic humankind. Today the country is increasingly associated with instability and un¬certainty. Tension between the old, secularist elite and the Islamic-rooted pro-reform ruling party has reached a climax. The chief prosecutor wants to ban from politics the governing party – a party that received almost half of all votes at last year’s general election. Economic indicators are turning red. The Turkish situation is exacerbated by the…






What happened at the PACE meetings? A review by a member by ÖZLEM TÜRKÖNE*

I was in Strasbourg, the center of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on June 23-27 to attend the third part of the 2008 Ordinary Session.

Turkish PM in landmark Iraq visit

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Baghdad for talks, only the second regional leader to visit since 2003.

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July 07, 2008

"Turkey political strife puts EU in dilemma

We are all in dilemma. No worries for the EU, altogether:)

Turkey political strife puts EU in dilemma

By Paul Taylor, European Affairs Editor - Analysis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is in a dilemma over how to respond to worsening political tension in Turkey, which is shaking political and financial stability in its largest and most difficult candidate country."

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July 06, 2008

"Media, news manipulated on Ergenekon, say media experts...

In some cases, media might even be a manipulator. It doesn't need to be manipulated:) 

Media, news manipulated on Ergenekon, say media experts

While the repercussions of the Ergenekon investigation are being felt amid the current political turmoil caused by the closure case opened against the ruling party, media analysts say the

News editor bites government

There is a monumental case before the courts in Turkey to shut down the ruling party, so it may come as something of a surprise to learn that some people are just too impatient to wait for the judges to do their worst.

The amazing adventures of the Ergenekon mates

Mustafa AKYOL

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July 01, 2008

"Turkish ruling party put on trial...

Turkish ruling party put on trial

Turkey's chief prosecutor presents his case for banning the ruling AK party to the constitutional court.

Turkish party faces court battle for survival | U.S. | Reuters

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June 28, 2008

Runkel: Why everybody should hope for a German success in the final?

Why everybody should hope for a German success in the final

Michael Ballack

Let me first say: I have been watching German football teams on TV since I was nine, that was in 1958. I had my fair share of great victories and crushing defeats, so I have seen enough to be more or less unconcerned who will win this final. Nevertheless there is one good reason why I, and not only I but everybody else in the world should support the Germans. The reason is the captain of our team, Michael Ballack. He will be 32 in September and this final might be his last chance to win an international title. He hasn’t got one so far, no, he has won so many Vice-Championships (the last one with Chelsea) that every team, having him as a player must fear him as a bearer of some bad spell.

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June 25, 2008

"France scraps referendum on Turkey's EU bid

France scraps referendum on Turkey's EU bid

The French Senate voted on Tuesday (24 June) to drop a constitutional requirement to hold a popular vote before a new country can enter the EU, removing a key irritant in its relations with Turkey.

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June 20, 2008

" Turkey on its way to the EU " - another imprisonment...

Turkey widens EU talks, expects French fairness

Turkish officials said Tuesday they expect France, long an opponent of the Turkish European Union membership bid, to approach membership

Sarkozy’s Turcophobia

Since I traveled to France in February of this year and returned somewhat hopeful that French paranoia about Turkey was actually curable, I decided not to write about Mr. Sarkozy or France for some time.

 

Continue reading "" Turkey on its way to the EU " - another imprisonment..." »

June 16, 2008

"Irish 'no' vote has no immediate effect for Turkey

Irish 'no' vote has no immediate effect for Turkey

Heated discussions surrounding Ireland's recent refusal in a referendum of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty is being closely followed by Turkey. Although the future of the treaty has........

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June 14, 2008

"One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder...

Apparently, Dink's murder was condoned!

Mehmet Ali Birand

One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder

The former head of the intelligence unit in the Black Sea province of Trabzon where Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's murderer came from testified he was aware of plans to kill the

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June 10, 2008

"Ankara criticised over Cyprus talks...

Ankara criticised over Cyprus talks

Hopes that Cyprus may be heading towards a peace deal that unites the Greek and Turkish communities are being undermined by "reactionary" statements from the Turkish...

Unity hopes

Fresh impetus revives hopes for a Cyprus peace deal

Turks merciless with Sarkozy

By Boz

The English version of Turkey's newspaper Sabah subtly breaks the news of Laurence Ferrari's ascension to TF1: "Sarkozy promotes his ex-girlfriend".

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June 04, 2008

"Turkey angry over French referendum plans

Turkey angry over French referendum plans


Turkey slams France over EU referendum plan — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union

MAM Adds Justice


Mavi Boncuk
One day a man found him pouring the remains of his yogurt into Aksehir Lake. "Hodja, what are you doing?" the asked. "I am turning the lake into yogurt," he replied. When they laughed at him, he said, "What if."

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June 03, 2008

"Does The EU Need Turkey More Than Turkey Needs the EU?

Does The EU Need Turkey More Than Turkey Needs the EU?

By Jenny White

Excerpts from The Economist (click here for full article):

The hardest case of all is Turkey. Its membership bid is currently in a form of suspended animation. Entry negotiations have been partly frozen to punish Turkey for its refusal to open its ports and airports to traffc from Cyprus. The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, remains publicly opposed to Turkish membership but has agreed to put high-level EU debate on the subject on hold until 2010, when a report on the future of the EU by a “group of the wise” (which was Mr Sarkozy’s idea) is due to be delivered. Turkey has serious problems of its own, starting with a court case that threatens to outlaw the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party for threatening the country’s secular order.....

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May 31, 2008

France's (another) declaration of war against Turkey...

French Parliament strikes blow to Turkish EU bid

The prospects of Turkey joining the EU faded yesterday (29 May) as the French National Assembly approved a bill making referenda obligatory for accepting new EU member countries with populations over 5% of the bloc's entire size.

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May 29, 2008

"Turkey bids to assuage EU critics

Turkey bids to assuage EU critics

As Turkey's foreign minister Ali Babacan returned home yesterday (28 May) from a two-day trip to Brussels, he could rest reassured of the EU's commitment to the accession talks. But Turkey should not expect an easy ride, with the EU pressing for more and faster reforms.

The EU’s safe guide on insulting Turkey - NEW EUROPE - The European News Source

Author: Andy Dabilis
26 May 2008 - Issue : 783

It’s too late for Hrant Dink, the brave Armenian-Turkish newspaperman who was murdered in 2007, not long after being convicted of violating Turkey’s medieval Article 301 which made it a crime to “insult Turkishness,” which is pretty hard to do when so much of your history is built on bayoneting babies and your national sport is invasion. The European Union has weakly requested that Turkey scrap Article 301 as one requirement to become a member of the European Union, where it is okay to insult all nationalities, allowed in real democracies.

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May 24, 2008

""J-memorandum" by judiciary, progress report by Euro Parliament

"J-memorandum" by judiciary, progress report by Euro Parliament

Cengiz ÇANDAR

Turkey's role in transatlantic relations

Turkey's relations with the EU have become a pivotal issue in the evolving EU-NATO relationship but security concerns still need to be ironed out, says Sinan Ülgen in an April discussion paper for the Istanbul-based Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM).

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May 22, 2008

"EU Recommendations

EU Recommendations for Turkey II

By Jenny White

In a 17-page document entitled “46th Meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council: Position of the European Union,” the EU takes a critical position on the judiciary, Cyprus, the Kurdish question, freedom of expression, military-civilian relations, religious freedom (for religious minorities), Iraq and the reform process. Although pointing out the limited progress achieved in political reforms in 2007, the draft notes the government’s declared intention to carry on reforms. The draft says the EU “follows” the closure cases and hopes for the verdict to be in line with European Court of Human Rights principles and the guidelines established by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. Brussels draws attention to the closure cases in two different sections — freedom of association and assembly, and political criteria.

EU warns Turkey not to slip on reform path

The European Commission warned membership-hopeful Turkey yesterday not to slip back in its reform process, saying it could not afford “another wasted year.” Speaking in the European

Lagendijk's comments, a leftist and pro-EU party

By ENGİN ARDIÇ, SABAH

Do you know Joost Lagendijk, the man who stirred up such hatred after being accused of "getting involved in Turkey's domestic business"?

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May 18, 2008

"Rehn and Lagendijk’s test with Turks; Cyprus; Queen's visit...

Rehn and Lagendijk’s test with Turks

Last week important reunions were held aiming to understand what is actually going on in Turkey and at finding ways to improve Turkey-EU relations.

Headscarf Law Applies to All Religious Coverings, Judges Say

'Teachers in Baden-Wuerttemberg cannot wear a headscarf in class

A law which prohibits Muslim women teachers from wearing headscarves in a German state's public schools also forbids Catholic nuns from wearing their veils in regular classrooms, judges said Wednesday."

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May 16, 2008

"Turkey's tense situation raises EU's concerns

Turkey's tense situation raises EU's concerns

Recent threats made against the AKP government indicate that Turkey's political turmoil has intensified since 2007, writes Katinka Barysch of the Centre for European Reform in an April blog post.

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May 15, 2008

"France insists on removal of 'accession'term

France insists on removal of 'accession'term

Just as the French envoy assured the Turkish government Tuesday that France did not intend to block Turkey's accession talks to the European Union, the French delegation to Brussels has

Police and gendarmerie oppose EU negotiating chapter

Turkey may face difficulty while negotiating the chapter on Justice, Freedoms and Security, with the European Union due to the obstruction from the police and gendarmerie. Negotiatios for EU

EU funded project enhances life skills of children

A recently conducted EU-funded project has proved a successful means in contributing to the personal development and communication skills of children living in Turkey, becoming a bridge

And so does the Queen make her way to Turkey

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh began a four-day state visit to Turkey yesterday – their first to the country in almost 40 years. State Minister Mehmet Aydın welcomed the royal

Continue reading ""France insists on removal of 'accession'term" »

May 14, 2008

The queen in town....

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul gestures to Britain's ...

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul gestures to Britain's Queen Elizabeth as they get ready to listen to the national anthems upon their arrival at the presidential office in Ankara May 13, 2008.

REUTERS/Fatih Saribas

A sober affair as Turkey welcomes the Queen - Times Online

Turkey is a democracy ! : May 2008 : gilmas : My Telegraph

BBC NEWS | UK | State visit sends message to Turkey

Britain and France opposite to each other about Turkey : May 2008 : Metin YILMAZ : My Telegraph

Britain's Queen Elizabeth praises Turkey's role as bridge between West, Islamic world - International Herald Tribune

 

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May 13, 2008

"Queen makes official visit to Turkey

Queen makes official visit to Turkey

Queen Elizabeth II, who pays only one official visit to a foreign country each year, has decided to come to Turkey this year.

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May 12, 2008

‘Turkish foreign policy hostage to domestic political problems’

[MONDAY TALK] ‘Turkish foreign policy hostage to domestic political problems’

By YONCA DOĞAN POYRAZ

Philip Robins, a leading foreign affairs expert, says the Turkish government is unlikely to move forward with vital issues -- such as accession negotiations with the European Union and a solution to the Cyprus problem, an essential prerequisite for Turkish EU membership -- as a closure case pending against the ruling party has been limiting its abilities.

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May 11, 2008

"Turkey's tension is between extreme secularists and Muslim democrats

Turkey's tension is between extreme secularists and Muslim democrats

Olli REHN

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May 09, 2008

Turkey marks another Euro Day bitterly

Turkey marks another Euro Day bitterly

Turkey's enthusiasm for celebrating Europe Day today is tempered once again by domestic political turbulence and deceleration of the reform process. “If we evaluate – in broader

The Democratic Turkish socialistic CHP and their threats

By Internation Musing

This week I had my ‘monthly’ meeting with another blogger in Turkey, Super Hero.:

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May 07, 2008

"France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process

France pledges not to hinder Turkey's EU accession process

Turkey’s clash of values: memo to Europe by CEM ÖZDEMİR

For almost a year now, Turkey has been undergoing a profound domestic crisis.

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May 05, 2008

"Summit backs Balkan, Turkish EU accession

Summit backs Balkan, Turkish EU accession

Alongside Turkey, the whole Western Balkan region is vital to Europe's stability and should soon be allowed to enter the EU, said the leaders of 19 mainly central and southern European countries who attended a summit in Ohrid, Macedonia last weekend (2 May).

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May 02, 2008

"Tackling Turkey's Image Problem in the European Union

EU hails Turkey free speech move

Turkey's vote to amend a law that limits freedom of speech is welcomed by the EU.

Turkish Parliament softens restrictions on freedom of speech

Turkey inched closer to the EU yesterday (29 April) as its legislators approved a bill easing a controversial clause in its penal code which outlaws criticism of Turkish identity. The move was a key condition laid down by the EU in view of accession, but sceptics said the amendments were purely superficial.

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