Turkish Digest

Council of Europe head praises Turkey's global role

2010-02-08T20:36:00.000-05:00

"Council of Europe head praises Turkey's global role

DÖNDÜ SARIIŞIK
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Thorbjørn Jagland

Turkey has made significant contributions to the Council of Europe and is now playing an increasingly crucial role on the international stage, according to the body’s secretary-general."

More:Council of Europe head praises Turkey's global role - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Things we've learned from the Tekel workers

2010-02-08T18:27:00.000-05:00

"Things we've learned from the Tekel workers

The resistance of workers from the former state-owned alcohol and tobacco monopoly, or Tekel, has continued for about two months. Now they are on an indefinite hunger strike. Some may die in the end.

Of the strikers’ actions, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “This is their decision.” Human life is so cheap."

More:Things we've learned from the Tekel workers - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

US, Switzerland Deny Turkey Guarantees Over Historical Commission | Asbarez Armenian News

2010-02-08T18:24:00.000-05:00

"US, Switzerland Deny Turkey Guarantees Over Historical Commission

ANKARA (Combined Sources)—The US and Switzerland have refrained from giving assurances to Turkey that limitations will not be placed on the “mission and methodology” of a historic commission to probe the veracity of the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish Hurriyet Daily reported Monday.

The creation of the so-called fact-finding body is outlined in fence-mending protocols signed between Ankara and Yerevan in October of last year. "

More:US, Switzerland Deny Turkey Guarantees Over Historical Commission | Asbarez Armenian News

Turkey Slams U.S. Over Armenian Genocide Bill - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010

2010-02-08T17:33:00.000-05:00

"Turkey Slams U.S. Over Armenian Genocide Bill

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (right) and his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian shake hands after a signing ceremony on fence-mending agreements in Zurich in October.
February 08, 2010
YEREVAN -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has denounced a U.S. Congressional committee for scheduling a vote on a resolution about the Armenian genocide, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

Davutoglu said over the weekend that passage of the resolution would seriously harm Turkey's relations with both the United States and Armenia."

More:Turkey Slams U.S. Over Armenian Genocide Bill - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010

The U.S. will set to work over Turkey - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia

2010-02-08T14:20:00.000-05:00

"The U.S. will set to work over Turkey

Commenting the statement by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that the U.S. Congress is suppressing Turkey through making up the Armenian Genocide Resolution on March 4, former Advisor to President, political scientist Vafa Guluzade said the White House had decided to blackmail Turkey."

More:The U.S. will set to work over Turkey - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia

Gates backs Turkey's PKK fight

2010-02-08T14:17:00.000-05:00

"Gates backs Turkey's PKK fight

ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Washington supports Ankara in its effort to tackle Kurdish guerrillas, but military action is not the only solution available, the U.S. defense secretary said."

More:Gates backs Turkey's PKK fight - UPI.com

Turk fiscal law work seen completed in few months-Min

2010-02-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

"Turk fiscal law work seen completed in few months-Min

By Hatice Aydogdu

ANKARA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Legal preparations for a new Turkish fiscal rule law will be completed within a few months and a budget for 2011, to be prepared in May, will show the law's parameters, said Economy Minister Ali Babacan on Monday.
Much-awaited legislation on fiscal guidelines is seen going into force in 2011. It will be closely watched by investors and ratings agencies looking for reassurance that government spending will be kept under scrutiny in an election year."

More:Business finance news - currency market news - online UK currency markets - financial news - Interactive Investor

Koza of Turkey Says Gold Unit IPO Raises $435 Million (Update2) - BusinessWeek

2010-02-08T11:44:00.000-05:00

"Koza of Turkey Says Gold Unit IPO Raises $435 Million (Update2)
February 08, 2010, 10:38 AM EST

By Ercan Ersoy

Feb. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Koza Anadolu Metal Madencilik Isletmeleri AS, a Turkish miner, said a share sale in its gold mining unit raised $435 million, making it the country’s biggest initial public offering since May 2008."

More:Koza of Turkey Says Gold Unit IPO Raises $435 Million (Update2) - BusinessWeek

US playing dirty against Turkey

2010-02-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

"US playing dirty against Turkey

Mon 08 February 2010 | 12:56 GMT Text size:
11476
Vafa Guluzade

Political scientist Vafa Guluzade commented on the US policy in the region.

'It was clear from the beginning that the United States are playing dirty against Turkey, Ahmed Davutoglu is right when saying that it is impossible to blackmail Turkey. Unfortunately, Washington has chosen this tone in the relations with Turkey. But this may affect the US itself', said political scientist Vafa Guluzade, commenting on statements by Turkish Foreign Ministry Ahmed Davutoglu who said the discussion of the 'Armenian Genocide' in the US Congress is an element of pressure on Ankara."

More:News.Az - US playing dirty against Turkey

Turkey's Chief Eu Negotiator Vows to Continue Reforms

2010-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

"Turkey's Chief Eu Negotiator Vows to Continue Reforms

Monday, 8 February 2010

Turkey's top official for European Union membership talks has pledged that his country would make more reforms in 2010 as well as opening new channels of communication with the EU countries."

More:Turkey's Chief Eu Negotiator Vows to Continue Reforms

Turkey's Celebi says to invest $100 mln in India airports - International Business Times

2010-02-08T11:39:00.001-05:00

"Turkey's Celebi says to invest $100 mln in India airports

08 February 2010 @ 4:40 pm IST
Next Companies Article

Turkey's Celebi will invest $100 million this year in Indian airports, the ground-handling services company said in a statement on Monday."

More:Turkey's Celebi says to invest $100 mln in India airports - International Business Times

Turkey:Public transportation and hydrogen power: yet a long ways away | FuelCellsWorks

2010-02-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

"Turkey:Public transportation and hydrogen power: yet a long ways away

Hydrogen could be the alternative fuel of choice given its zero-emission properties, but the age of hydrogen-powered public transportation roaming metropolitan cities seems ages away for a Turkey struggling to catch up to Europe."

More:Turkey:Public transportation and hydrogen power: yet a long ways away | FuelCellsWorks

Turkish PM: Israel Could Lose Turkish Friendship

2010-02-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

"Turkish PM: Israel Could Lose Turkish Friendship
February 7, 2010

Jerusalem
JTA Wire Service

Israel should consider “what it would be like to lose a friend like Turkey,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned.

Erdogan made the threat last Sunday in an interview with Euronews, according to reports."

More:Baltimore Jewish Times - Israeli News | Turkish PM: Israel Could Lose Turkish Friendship

EU to become more active in South Caucasus conflict settlement

2010-02-08T11:34:00.000-05:00

"EU to become more active in South Caucasus conflict settlement

Mon 08 February 2010 | 06:58 GMT Text size:

Russia is currently very active in the process to resolve the Karabakh conflict. What is likely to be the result of this activity?"

More:News.Az - EU to become more active in South Caucasus conflict settlement

Cyprus FM - 'Turkey will have to think seriously about its EU course'

2010-02-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

"Cyprus FM - 'Turkey will have to think seriously about its EU course'
The Foreign Minister said that Turkey as well as the EU are approaching a point, when they will have to think seriously about Ankara’s EU course.

Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has said that Turkey will have to start thinking seriously about its EU accession course, since by the end of this year, this course will not be able to move forward due to the fact that many EU – Turkey negotiating chapters have been frozen."

More:Home | Famagusta Gazette Online | Breaking News, Cyprus Issues, Weather

Turkey, Istanbul, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel

2010-02-08T11:28:00.000-05:00

"Turkey to Host Several Industry Events

The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul will host the 2010 Global Spa Summit from May 16-19. Attended by top spa, hospitality and wellness executives from around the world, the invitation-only summit is expected to attract attendees from over 40 countries."

More:Turkey, Istanbul, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Fans fight rain in Istanbul to watch Saints' victory in NFL Super Bowl

2010-02-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

"Fans fight rain in Istanbul to watch Saints' victory in NFL Super Bowl

A rainy winter’s eve in Istanbul could not keep 25 people from gathering to watch a beautiful sunset in Miami, Florida, and the kickoff for the annual championship of American football, the Super Bowl."

More:Fans fight rain in Istanbul to watch Saints' victory in NFL Super Bowl - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

London, Brussels and Istanbul: A Week of Western War Councils - Media Monitors Network (MMN)

2010-02-08T10:59:00.000-05:00

"London, Brussels and Istanbul: A Week of Western War Councils
by Rick Rozoff
(Monday, February 8, 2010)

'Permanent Security Council members Russia and China may occasionally - all too occasionally - block hostile Western actions against defenseless third parties in the United Nations, but Washington always walks away with a mandate and the final say in the selection of viceroys to complement U.S. and NATO military forces on the ground in subjugated nations.'"

More:Home / Headlines / London, Brussels and Istanbul: A Week of Western War Councils - Media Monitors Network (MMN)

From the Bosphorus: Straight - Defacing Istanbul and local democracy

2010-02-07T18:30:00.000-05:00

"From the Bosphorus: Straight - Defacing Istanbul and local democracy

We hope readers of our Weekend edition had the opportunity to read two distinct stories that go to the heart of democracy. One was on the soon-to-be-unveiled reconstruction (or demolition) of a hotel in the Bosphorus village of Tarabya. The other reflected the views of a young Iranian architect completing his doctorate in Turkey."

More:From the Bosphorus: Straight - Defacing Istanbul and local democracy - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Turkey to the rescue of European Union

2010-02-07T15:40:00.000-05:00

"Turkey to the rescue of European Union
Apart from being an integral part of Europe, membership for Turkey, with its young and dynamic population, would provide a great fillip for Europe’s ageing demographic profile"

More:Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - Opinion

Istanbul to host world puppets

2010-02-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

"Istanbul to host world puppets

As part of the 13th International Istanbul Puppet Festival, World Puppet Day will be celebrated March 21 and the World Puppet Exhibition will open simultaneously. This year the International Istanbul Puppet Festival will be expanded to three months with the support of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture agency."

More:Istanbul to host world puppets - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Coachless Turkey learns rivals for EURO 2012 qualifiers

2010-02-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

"Coachless Turkey learns rivals for EURO 2012 qualifiers

The Turkish national team’s campaign to qualify for EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine kicked off with Sunday’s group draw despite there being no coach to represent the team in Warsaw."

More:Coachless Turkey learns rivals for EURO 2012 qualifiers - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

The EU and Honor Killings in Turkey

2010-02-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

"The EU and Honor Killings in Turkey
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The struggle to earn a bid to join the European Union has forced Turkey into improving a number of its policies and relationships with other countries. It could also help reduce the number of “honor killings” – grisly acts in which women and girls are killed by family members for what they believe is dishonorable behavior by religious definitions."

More:The EU and Honor Killings in Turkey | Carrie Battan | Big Think

AFP: US may help Turkey combat Kurdish rebels: Gates

2010-02-07T00:19:00.000-05:00

"US may help Turkey combat Kurdish rebels: Gates

(AFP) – 15 hours ago

ANKARA — The United States may offer Turkey more help with equipment and intelligence to combat separatist Kurdish rebels taking refuge in the Iraqi north, US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said Saturday.

'I offered during my visit here to see if there are more capabilities that we can share with Turkey in terms of taking on this threat,' he said."

More:AFP: US may help Turkey combat Kurdish rebels: Gates

LIZ JONES: Honour killings? What we've done to young Emma is just as shameful | Mail Online

2010-02-07T00:12:00.000-05:00

"LIZ JONES: Honour killings? What we've done to young Emma is just as shameful

By Liz Jones

Two very different teenage girls made headlines around the world last week. The first was Emma Watson, the 19-year-old star of the Harry Potter movie franchise.

She was named as the highest-earning female in Hollywood in 2009, only one of two women to make it on to the list of the industry’s top 20 earners.

The second was 16-year-old Medine Memi – her first name means ‘civilisation’. Her body was discovered tied to a chair in a hole in the garden of her home in a small village in south-eastern Turkey."

More:LIZ JONES: Honour killings? What we've done to young Emma is just as shameful | Mail Online