Turkish Digest

Ergenekon Case in Turkey Casts a Wide Net of Suspicion - NYTimes.com

2009-11-21T13:24:00.000-05:00

"In Turkey, Trial Casts Wide Net of Mistrust

By DAN BILEFSKY
Published: November 21, 2009

ISTANBUL — Few here doubt that the case began with something threatening: in June 2007, 27 hand grenades and fuses were found in the attic of a house in an Istanbul slum. Investigators claimed they were stashed there by an ultranationalist retired officer and they were later linked to an elaborate coup plot."

More:Ergenekon Case in Turkey Casts a Wide Net of Suspicion - NYTimes.com

FRENCH SCHOOL CANCELS 'GENOCIDE' HOMEWORK

2009-11-21T11:47:00.000-05:00

"FRENCH SCHOOL CANCELS 'GENOCIDE' HOMEWORK
Saturday, 21 November 2009

Assigning a Turkish student, Mustafa Dogan with a homework about so called Armenian genocide, and forcing the student preparing the homeworkbasing on Armenian allegations on 1915 events, French school in Nancy canceled the homework following the reactions of Turkey, Turkish organizations and Turkish media."

More:Historyoftruth.com - Armenian Allegations - FRENCH SCHOOL CANCELS 'GENOCIDE' HOMEWORK

German-born criminal to be deported to Turkey - The Local

2009-11-21T10:40:00.000-05:00

"German-born criminal to be deported to Turkey

Published: 21 Nov 09 11:04 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091121-23423.html

A German-born Turkish man with a string of criminal convictions can be deported to Turkey, even though he has never lived there and only speaks broken Turkish, a court has ruled."

More:German-born criminal to be deported to Turkey - The Local

AFP: Turkey 'gives Israel deadline' for drone delivery

2009-11-21T10:39:00.000-05:00

"Turkey 'gives Israel deadline' for drone delivery

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

ANKARA — Turkey has given Israeli contractors 50 days to fulfil a long-delayed deal for the delivery of 10 drone aircraft for the Turkish army, Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul was quoted as saying Saturday."

More:AFP: Turkey 'gives Israel deadline' for drone delivery

Possible Implications of the EU Presidency Elections on Turkey-EU Relations

2009-11-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

"Possible Implications of the EU Presidency Elections on Turkey-EU Relations
Mehmet Ozcan
Head of EU Studies
USAK

Saturday, 21 November 2009

Following long-standing debates and previsions, the EU leaders elected the first President of the European Council. Known as a low-profile politician on the international political arena and an unknown personality except by those from his own country, Belgium Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was elected for the position of European Council Presidency. In addition, British center-leftist politician, who is also the commissioner responsible for external trade, Catherine Ashton was elected for the position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a new post established by the Lisbon Treaty."

More:Possible Implications of the EU Presidency Elections on Turkey-EU Relations

New EU president urged to clarify position on Turkey's future - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

2009-11-21T10:33:00.000-05:00

"New EU president urged to clarify position on Turkey's future

The EU parliament's Green party on Friday called on Herman Van Rompuy, the first EU president, to clarify his position regarding Turkey's candidature, which he opposed in a speech in 2004.

"I am concerned about the nomination of a politician, who has argued with conviction that Turkey joining would constitute a threat to Europe's fundamental values, as European Council head," said Green MEP Helene Flautre, co-president of the European parliament's EU-Turkey committee."

More:New EU president urged to clarify position on Turkey's future - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

‘Turkey will enter EU, there is no other way’ - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

2009-11-21T04:08:00.000-05:00

"‘Turkey will enter EU, there is no other way’

Özgür Öğret
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
French freelance journalist Jérôme Bastion has been living in Turkey for nearly 15 years, observing and reporting on developments to the Western world. He believes Turkey is in a positive process of change that is unmatched in its history and it is getting more open to the outside world. Bastion is very excited to be witnessing it."

More:‘Turkey will enter EU, there is no other way’ - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Ago Group welcomes the process of Armenia-Turkey normalization

2009-11-21T02:51:00.000-05:00

"Ago Group welcomes the process of Armenia-Turkey normalization

21.11.2009 10:51

The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, received Ago Monitoring Group of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers headed by Ambassador Stelian Stojan, Romania’s Permanent Representative at the Council of Europe.

Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian emphasized the importance of the visit from the perspective of getting familiarized with the reforms carried out in Armenia."

More:Public Radio of Armenia

Orhan Pamuk's L.A. stroll conjures up familiar sights -- latimes.com

2009-11-21T02:33:00.000-05:00

"Orhan Pamuk's L.A. stroll conjures up familiar sights
The Nobel Prize-winning author and self-proclaimed 'Istanbul boy,' feels a familiar bond with Los Angeles' old-fashioned urban scape.

Just a few hours before Orhan Pamuk, the 2006 Nobel Laureate in literature, was set to read from his new novel, "The Museum of Innocence" (Alfred A. Knopf: 540 pp., $28.95), at the Japan America Theatre, the lifelong Istanbul resident was strolling down Hill Street, recognized by nobody, on his first visit to Los Angeles."

More:Orhan Pamuk's L.A. stroll conjures up familiar sights -- latimes.com

Baku, Ankara needed for Nabucco, U.S. says - UPI.com

2009-11-21T02:29:00.001-05:00

"Baku, Ankara needed for Nabucco, U.S. says

BRUSSELS, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Ankara and Baku should resolve issues related to the price for natural gas in order to move forward with the Nabucco gas pipeline, U.S. officials said."

More:Baku, Ankara needed for Nabucco, U.S. says - UPI.com

Çiragan Palace, Istanbul

2009-11-21T02:29:00.000-05:00

"Çiragan Palace, Istanbul

John Henzell

* Last Updated: November 19. 2009 10:17PM UAE / November 19. 2009 6:17PM GMT

The Çiragan Palace Kempinski offers great views of the Bosphorus. Courtesy Kempinski Hotels
The welcome

One minute we were snarled in traffic on the road leading along the European bank of the Bosphorus and the next we had descended below street level to the arrivals area of the Çragan Palace, insulated with unexpected efficiency from the road chaos outside. We were then met by a phalanx of scarlet-coated staff who look like they could have done service with the British Army in the Napoleonic wars, only to be dragged back to the 21st century by the airport-style scanners used to vet luggage and guests."

More:Çiragan Palace, Istanbul - The National Newspaper

Ankara and Damascus form stronger ties - UPI.com

2009-11-20T14:23:00.000-05:00

"Ankara and Damascus form stronger ties

DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The border between Turkey and Syria is a bond that ties the two neighboring countries together, the Turkish speaker of Parliament said in Damascus."

More:Ankara and Damascus form stronger ties - UPI.com

Dhaka, Ankara strike deal on direct air link

2009-11-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

"Dhaka, Ankara strike deal on direct air link
Unb, Dhaka

Bangladesh and Turkey have agreed to introduce direct air and banking links between the two countries at the earliest possible time to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation."

More:Dhaka, Ankara strike deal on direct air link

Can Turkey Break the Copenhagen Deadlock? : TreeHugger

2009-11-20T14:12:00.000-05:00

"Can Turkey Break the Copenhagen Deadlock?
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 11.20.09
Business & Politics (news)

As a city that literally straddles Europe and Asia, Istanbul -- and, by extension, Turkey -- has been endlessly described as a "bridge" between East and West. But the manager of a international program on cities and global warming has actually managed to put a new spin on that old cliché -- by suggesting that Turkey could bridge the gap between developed and developing countries on climate change."

More:Can Turkey Break the Copenhagen Deadlock? : TreeHugger

Turkish markets tumble on Ukraine fears - Forbes.com

2009-11-20T14:11:00.000-05:00

"Turkish markets tumble on Ukraine fears
11.20.09, 11:02 AM EST

ISTANBUL, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Risk aversion sparked by concern over debt problems in Ukraine hit Turkish assets on Friday, sending stocks sharply lower after they had earlier hardly reacted to the Central Bank's latest interest rate cut."

More:UPDATE 2-Turkish markets tumble on Ukraine fears - Forbes.com

Turkish anger over Herman Van Rompuy appointment | World news | guardian.co.uk

2009-11-20T13:51:00.000-05:00

"Turkish anger over Herman Van Rompuy appointment

Choice of European council president seen as move to block Turkish accession to EU

Robert Tait Istanbul

Europe's new president, Herman Van Rompuy, faced a furious backlash in Turkey yesterday amid reports of his hostility to the country's EU membership.

Suat Kiniklioglu, an influential member of the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP), told the Guardian there was "widespread Turkish sentiment" that Van Rompuy would harm Turkey's European aspirations and suggested that France and Germany had championed him for that reason."

More:Turkish anger over Herman Van Rompuy appointment | World news | guardian.co.uk

Spotting Synagogues Amongst the Minarets: A Tour of Jewish Istanbul | Heritage Key

2009-11-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

"Spotting Synagogues Amongst the Minarets: A Tour of Jewish Istanbul
Submitted by Meral Crifasi on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 18:19

I am planning a week-long trip to Istanbul with my husband and two young boys for Christmas holidays and the New Year. The main focus of the holiday will be visiting my family who live in Istanbul and catching up with friends. Each time we are back home my French husband gets restless in a family environment with too much Turkish language around him that he understands very little of, and wants to be the sightseeing tourist wondering the streets."

More:Spotting Synagogues Amongst the Minarets: A Tour of Jewish Istanbul | Heritage Key

A Yearning for Peace

2009-11-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

"A Yearning for Peace

Erdogan's government plans to grant twelve million Kurds more freedom of language and other democratic rights in an attempt to end the 25-year Kurdish conflict. Nationalists, however, are already up in arms at the prospect. Ömer Erzeren reports"

More:Qantara.de - A Yearning for Peace

Ankara ambivalent toward new EU president - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

2009-11-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

"Ankara ambivalent toward new EU president

DÖNDÜ SARIIŞIK
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey is relatively comfortable with Belgium's Herman van Rompuy becoming the new European Union president. Although Rompuy has a poor reputation in Ankara due to earlier remarks against Turkey’s membership, there is little fear of a reversal in negotiations. “It is important that he has vowed to be fair and objective in regard to Turkey’s accession,” chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış says."

More:Ankara ambivalent toward new EU president - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

British Prime Minister: Cyprus solution possible next year

2009-11-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

"British Prime Minister: Cyprus solution possible next year

November 20, 2009

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown notes in an article that ''this is a crucial moment for Cyprus and its people,'' and in a message to the leaders of the two communities says they can make history and the United Kingdom will support them, noting that with flexibility and compromise, an agreement is possible next year."

More:Financialmirror.com News - British Prime Minister: Cyprus solution possible next year

Turkey’s EU negotiator congratulates EU’s first President

2009-11-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

"Turkey’s EU negotiator congratulates EU’s first President
Published: 11/20/2009

State Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis wished success to newly-elected EU President Herman van Rompuy and new foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton."

More:Turkey’s EU negotiator congratulates EU’s first President

Mediating role wins kudos for Turkey among Arabs | World | Reuters

2009-11-20T11:59:00.000-05:00

"Mediating role wins kudos for Turkey among Arabs
Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:44pm IST

By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's efforts to solve regional problems such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme have enhanced its standing among its Arab neighbours, a report said on Friday."

More:Mediating role wins kudos for Turkey among Arabs | World | Reuters

Wanderlust | Istanbul

2009-11-20T11:57:00.000-05:00

"Wanderlust | Istanbul
By CHRIS CAMPBELL

The international style crowd recently descended upon Istanbul for a three-day fashion extravaganza. Powerhouse labels like Roberto Cavalli, Salavatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood and Missoni staged shows with A-list models like Jessica Stam and Lily Donaldson, and there was even the requisite celebrity appearance — Bruce Willis at Missoni. Still, one of the highlights was a student show by young Turkish designers from the ISMEK and LaSalle fashion academies, including up-and-coming stars like like Sule Simsek Yalcin and Rabia Koyun."

More:Wanderlust | Istanbul - The Moment Blog - NYTimes.com

Turkey probes fresh allegations of anti-govt plot | Reuters

2009-11-20T11:56:00.000-05:00

"Turkey probes fresh allegations of anti-govt plot
Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:15am EST

By Daren Butler

ISTANBUL, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Turkey is investigating a suspected plot by Naval officers to attack non-Muslim minorities to discredit the ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party, the prime minister's office said on Friday."

More:Turkey probes fresh allegations of anti-govt plot | Reuters

Turkey cancels nuke plant tender

2009-11-20T11:54:00.000-05:00

"Turkey cancels nuke plant tender
By: The Associated Press | 20 Nov 2009 | 10:35 AM ET

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish energy officials say they have canceled a tender to construct the country's first nuclear power plant.

The Friday decision by the state electricity company comes after a court recently ruled against the tender's pricing and the location of the proposed plant. A Russian company was the only bidder."

More:Turkey cancels nuke plant tender - News Wires - CNBC.com