Shortage of Water Will Affect Iraqi Planting Season; Turkey Accused

Iraqi Water Resources Minister Abdul Latif Rashid has said that the water released to the Euphrates River by Turkey does not meet the quantity requirements for the planting season.

He said that the despite heavy snow and rainfall, Iraq is receiving 200-250 million cubic meters of water per second, while it needs 500 million cubic meters per second.

He accused Turkey of storing the water in its eight dams, thereby denying Iraq the water it needs for a successful winter planting season.

Source: www.alsumariyanews.com February 28, 2010

Two journalists sued because of an interview that they conducted with a Kurdish member of parliament

A law suit was brought against the editor of the liberal Radikal newspaper, Hasan Cakkalkurt, and journalist, Rifat Basaran who conducted an interview with the BDP Kurdish member of parliament, Emine Ayna. It was claimed that the interview published in the newspaper on December 7, 2009 made propaganda of a terrorist organization. The hearings on the case will start in April.

Source: Milliyet (Turkey), February 17, 2010

FM Davutoglu meets with Armenian President

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, attending the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, yesterday met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. Afterwards, Davutoglu said that the two had a friendly conversation about recent developments in the Caucasus and the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Source: Cumhuriyet (Turkey), February 26, 2010

US assistant Sec'y of State Gordon: "We strongly support Turkey's EU accession"

Philip Gordon, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, last week said that the US continues to strongly support Turkey's accession to the European Union and urged Ankara to continue its progress on the democratic and political reforms necessary for membership. He said that these reforms not only further Turkey's EU accession bid, but also help to democratize and modernize Turkey.

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), February 23, 2010

AK Party responds to the criticisms of the Nationalist MHP

The ruling AK Party responded to the recent criticisms of the head of Nationalist MHP, Devlet Bahceli. Bahceli had said that the AK Party was damaging the unity and solidarity of Turkey by emphasizing the differences in the population. In a recent statement, AK Party stated that democracy considered the differences as richness and it was MHP who was encouraging separatism because it ignored the differences.

The AKP representatives blamed Bahceli for trying to preserve the status quo and for encouraging an attitude that rendered the powerful justice rather that rendering power to the just. Referring to the recent crisis in the judiciary, they said that the AKP government has considered fulfilling the needs of the judiciary as a priority and responded to these needs urgently. They emphasized that it was not enough that the judiciary was independent, it should also be impartial.

The AKP representatives also said that calling for early elections became a classic for the opposition. They stated that during the AK Party period Turkey learned to have elections on time. They argued that it is the nation who gave the AKP legitimacy and power.

Source: ntvmsnbc, cnnturk (Turkey), February 20, 2010

Foreign Minister Davutoglu: “We don’t want Iranophobia in the region”

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who was in an official visit to Iran last week met with his Iranian counterpart Manucehr Muttaki. Davutoglu emphasized the importance of Iran and stated that they did not want Iranophobia in the region. Davutoglu who organized a joint press conference with Muttaki said that the fate of the region would be determined by countries who were friends and neighbours. He stated that the region should not live the catastrophes that it did in the past and the positive contribution of Iran was important for the stability and welfare of the region.

Source: Radikal (Turkey), February 17, 2010

Gul emphasizes the need for a reform in the judiciary

Turkish President Abdullah Gul responded to the recent crisis in the judiciary. Gul said that it was quite distressful that there was a conflict in the judiciary and that it was a vicious cycle. He stated that what needed to be done was quite clear and there was a need for a reform in the judiciary. He said that Turkey was a country that was on the process of joining the EU and the criteria and the standards of the EU should be adopted in a fast manner.

Gul stated that the discussion on the judiciary should not become a new arena for polarization and for struggle because this would damage the country.

Source: Yeni Safak (Turkey), February 18, 2010

Turkey steps up diplomacy over Iran nuclear dispute

The foundation for diplomacy over Iran 's nuclear impasse is firm enough to proceed, said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday, also confirming Turkey has come up with multiple proposals for a peaceful resolution of the problem. Turkish diplomacy is stepping up as Ankara conveys its impressions of its talks with Iranian officials with Washington and other Western states. Following intensive diplomatic talks with Iranian leaders to try to reduce the tension over Tehran 's controversial nuclear program, Turkey is focusing its efforts on relaying its impressions to Washington and other Western actors. "There is a strong ground for diplomacy, and we believe we can proceed on that ground," Davutoglu told a group of reporters yesterday. Davutoglu spoke with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the phone late Wednesday and had a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki yesterday.

Davutoglu also said a thorough evaluation of the issue will be made during a planned telephone conversation between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Barack Obama. "The prime minister plans to speak with President Obama," he said. "We're planning steps to be taken. The room for maneuvering has expanded." Turkey has offered to provide a location for the exchange of Iran 's low-enriched uranium with the 20 percent enriched uranium to be supplied by world powers as part of a UN-drafted deal. Davutoglu confirmed that Turkey presented multiple proposals to Iran during discussions in Tehran but declined to elaborate further. "Diplomatic channels are wide open and the room for maneuvering is wide open, too," Davutoglu said. "There is always ground for diplomacy. There are some proposals we are trying to develop; we'll make an evaluation following contacts with the United States ."

Diplomatic sources said the only available diplomatic channel regarding the nuclear standoff was the one led by Ankara , adding that Turkey is calling for calm from both Tehran and the West, which has been pushing for tougher sanctions in the wake of Iran 's announcement that it had started work to produce higher-grade uranium. "We advise the two sides to watch their rhetoric. Escalating tension is in nobody's interest," said a diplomat who wished to remain anonymous. Davutoglu yesterday also met with US Undersecretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns, the State Department's number three official. Iran 's nuclear dispute topped their talks, with Davutoglu urging that diplomatic channels be kept open to solve the issue.

In related news, speaking to reporters after meeting with his Burkina Faso counterpart Bedouma Alain Yoda, Davutoglu warned that possible passage of an Armenian genocide resolution by a US congressional panel early next month would hinder normalization efforts with Armenia . Stating that the issue was taken up during Foreign Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu's meetings in Washington this week, Davutoglu said, "We're making great efforts for comprehensive peace in the Caucasus ." He further warned that moves such as passing a genocide resolution would harm this objective and called for such initiatives to come to a halt.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News (Turkey), February 19, 2010

Head of Nationalist MHP reacts to the recent crisis in the judiciary

The head of Nationalist MHP, Devlet Bahceli, reacted to the recent crisis in the judiciary and also between the government and the judiciary. He said that the crisis was like the Ottoman Interregenum which is considered a dark period in Ottoman history after the death of the Ottoman Sultan Beyazid and a struggle between his four sons started on who will be next ruler. Bahceli said that today there was a struggle and polarization between the essential bodies of the state such as the universities, the army, the media and the police began.

Bahceli said that the AK Party used its political power to threaten and pressure those who did not support it. He stated that the recent crisis would damage the feeling of justice and the concept of a state of law. He emphasized that a process that would damage the durability of a constitutional order and a democratic regime.

Bahceli said that there was a need for a constitutional change and a reform in the judiciary but it was important who would do this change and when they would do it. He stated that the ruling party who lost its legitimacy could not be fit to do these changes.

Source: Radikal, ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 19, 2010

Minister Selma Aliye Kavaf irritated by the “erotic scenes” in Turkish TV series

Selma Aliye Kavaf who is the responsible AKP minister for women and family said that she was disturbed by the “erotic scenes” in the Turkish TV series. Each year tens of Turkish TV series are produced in Turkey and are broadcasted in Turkish TV channels at prime hours. Kavaf which responded to a recent research by the World Health Organization which reported that the sex age in the world has dropped to the age of 13. Kavaf said that the erotic scenes in the Turkish TV series is one of the reasons that led to the drop of the sex age in Turkey. Kavaf emphasized that people focused too much on sexuality and warned that life was not all about sexuality.

Source: Radikal, ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 19, 2010

Minister of Justice Criticizes the decision of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors

The tension between the government and the Turkish judiciary is increasing as the Minister of Justice, Sadullah Ergin, criticized the latest decision of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, HSYK. The events started as a Chief Public Prosecutor, Ilhan Cihaner, was arrested for the first time in the history of the Republic and a search was conducted in his office and in his house on the grounds that he was a member of the Ergenekon secret organization who planned to topple the government. The HSYK reacted to this event by abolishing the authority of the lawyer who started the investigation against Ilhan Cihaner. The supreme court of Appeals and the highest administrative court in Turkey, Council of State, stated that they supported the decision of HSYK.

The Minister of Justice said in his latest statement that HSYK was an administrative body and did not have any judicial duties. He stated that its action was against the Constitution and the laws. He emphasized that the HSYK has intervened in an ongoing investigation and prevented the execution of an independent judicial process and created a risk for the execution of the investigation in a healthy way.

Ergin said that this was a coup against an independent judiciary and emphasized the need for a reform in the judicial system.

Source: ntvmsnbc, hurriyet (Turkey), February 17, 2010

Public Order and Security Undersecretariat to be established

The law that would allow for the establishment of a Public Order and Security Undersecretariat was enacted after it passed the General Assembly in the parliament. The government aims to establish this body as a part of its democratic initiative. The Undersecretariat will organize the coordination between different bodies to fight against terrorism. It will not have operational duties and it will develop policies and strategies in fighting terrorism. Interior Minister, Besir Atalay, said that although the nationalist MHP has a negative view of the establishment of this body, it would be proven soon that it would be a highly effective body.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 17, 2010

Extensive Operations Against the Kurdish PKK Started

A special commando brigade has started extensive operations against the Kurdish PKK in the southern city of Tunceli. It was reported that the military received information that the PKK was getting ready to launch attacks at the 11^th anniversary of the arrival of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to Turkey after he was arrested. It is expected that the military will increase its operations against the Kurdish PKK in March.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 17, 2010

Islamic Felicity Party criticizes the decision on the Council of State

The head of the Islamic Saadet (Felicity) Party, Numan Kurtulmus, criticized the decision of the Council of State, the highest administrative court in Turkey, which decided to freeze the application of the new formula proposed by the Higher Education Council at the university entrance exams. The new formula in the coefficient rates would have allowed the graduates of vocational schools to enter the university departments that they chose almost like regular students.

Kurtulmus said that it was meaningless for the Council of State to insist on this subject and it only created an atmosphere of chaos and crisis. He emphasized that those who took such a decision should question their conscience before all things. He said that the decision on this issue should be decided by a public referendum which would save a big portion of the nation from being treated unjustly. Kurtulmus also stated that there was a need for a more democratic and civil constitution in Turkey.

Source: habervaktim (Turkey), February 10, 2010

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism: “We would like to abolish visas with Egypt”

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertugrul Gunay, opened the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair with his Egyptian counterpart, Zoheir Garranah in Istanbul. Gunay said that they wanted to improve the tourism relations with Egypt and were getting ready to take the necessary steps to abolish the visas with Egypt. He said that the tourism between the countries was lower than its potential.

Gunay said that Turkey was open to new projects and wanted to cooperate. He stated that they abolished visas with Jordan and Syria and now it was time to do the same thing with Egypt.

Source: habervaktim (Turkey), February 11, 2010

Foreign Minister Davutoglu to Travel to Iran

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will travel to Iran on February 16 for an official visit. He is expected to meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mutteki and some other high level Iranian officials.

Source: Yeni Safak (Turkey), February 11, 2010

President Gul Sends a letter to Armenia

The normalization process between Turkey and Armenia had entered a difficult period because of the preconditions that the Armenian Constitutional Court presented to accept the protocols signed between the countries. Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent a letter to the Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan and said that the efforts for normalization between countries generated a hope for peace and drew interest of the world for this reason.

Gul said that it was necessary for the leaders to be courageous and to exhibit the demanded political courage and vision to finalize the process. He emphasized that he would continue to be occupied with the issue personally.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 11, 2010

Top Afghan general: "We would welcome Turkish combat troops"

The chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, Gen. Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, yesterday stated that he would be pleased if Turkey decides to send combat troops to Afghanistan. Turkey, which holds the rotating command of the international peacekeeping force guarding Kabul, steadfastly refuses to accept combat missions, fearing a backlash from Muslims here, at home, and elsewhere.

Mohammadi, speaking with Turkish reporters in Kabul during a press tour arranged by the Turkish General Staff, was asked about NATO's request for more combat troops from allied nations and whether he wants Turkey to send such troops. "I would welcome [it]," Mohammadi said.

"There should not be any misunderstanding. Since the founding of the government, our Turkish Muslim brothers are with us as our soldiers. They have been with us for all education and development efforts. If NATO'S demand is in this direction, we would also like to have [more Turkish troops] for maintaining security and for Afghanistan's development." He added that he greatly appreciates Turkey's ongoing efforts in his country.

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), February 12, 2010

Turkey, Lebanon lift Visa requirements

With its publication yesterday in the Official Gazette, a law to lift Turkey 's visa requirements for Lebanese citizens went in effect. The law was passed last week under an accord in which Lebanon also lifts its visa requirements for Turkish citizens.

Source: Turkiye (Turkey), February 11, 2010

Alevi Report Presented to the Prime Minister

The Alevi-Bektashi report which was prepared following the several Alevi workshops addressing the problems of the Alevi community is presented to the Turkish Prime Minister. Several themes were discussed in the report. One of the important themes was status of the Directory of Religious Affairs. The report argued that the structure of the Directory should be more civil and should include all the different interpretations of Islam and should become an independent body in the long-run.

The report discussed the issue of the compulsory class on religion in primary and secondary schools. It stated that the class should not be obligatory and should include an interpretation of religion that was beyond the sects and beliefs. The report also emphasized the need for the education of Dedes who are considered to be the religious leaders of the Alevi community. It was stressed that studies on the common Alevi-Sunni historical awareness should be conducted. The report stated that the Alevi places of worship or cemevis should be given an official status.

Source: Yeni Safak (Turkey), February 7, 2010

President Abdullah Gul: “Turkey can contribute to resolution of the Iranian crisis with diplomacy”

Turkish President Abdullah Gul who was in an official visit to India answered the questions of the Turkish journalists during his visit. Gul said that Turkey executed “quiet diplomacy” in the past several weeks to resolve the tension caused by Iran’s enrichment of uranium. He emphasized that the international efforts would continue but it would not be surprising if there would be embargo on Iran. He stated that Turkey could contribute to the resolution of the Iranian crisis with diplomacy.

Gul said that India provided good opportunities for Turkish businessmen with its large population and geography. He said that the USA was the land of opportunities 30-40 years ago but now the same thing was true for India.

Source: Yeni Safak (Turkey), February 9, 2010

Head of Republican CHP will pay 20 thousand TL to Erdogan

A Turkish court ruled that the head of Republican CHP, Deniz Baykal, will pay 20 thousand Turkish liras (about 13, 300 dollars) to the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan had filed two different court cases against Baykal for the expressions he used in referring to the Prime Minister during his party’s rallies in the cities of Hatay, Mersin and Nigde.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 9, 2010

The head of Nationalist MHP threatens: “All those who will approach near the MHP seats in the parliament will see what happens”

The head of nationalist MHP, Devlet Bahceli, spoke about the fist fight that took place in the parliament last week. Bahceli said that it did not matter where the threats came from, they would get rid of them immediately. He called upon the parliament and said that all those who would approach near the MHP seats again would see what would happen to them.

Bahceli said that the AK Party members who tried to approach the MHP seats were like tired Crusaders. He emphasized that his party acted with a serious political responsibility and ruined the scenarios prepared by the AK Party and the republican CHP. He stated that the AKP realized that its “sultanate” in Turkey was about to end and thus they wanted to attack the MHP members.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 9, 2010

Foreign Minister Davutoglu gets ready to travel to Iran

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who met with the European Council Secretary Thorbjorn Jagland responded to the questions of the journalists. Davutoglu said that he called the Iranian Foreign Minister Muttaki and he would travel to Iran either today or the day after. He emphasized that the problem between Iran and the Western countries should be solve with diplomacy.

Davutoglu said that diplomacy was the art of creating new opportunities any moment. He said that in order to prevent frictions in the region and to transform the region into stable and prosperous one, it was necessary to use diplomatic means. He stated that he was not pessimistic and there was still a chance for an exchange.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 9, 2010

Prime Minister Erdogan to travel to Qatar

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan will travel to Qatar with a group of ministers and Turkish businessmen on February 13 and 14. Erdogan will meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani and the Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassim. It is expected that they will discuss the bi-lateral relations between the countries and the steps to be taken in developing the relations between the nations.

Source: habervaktim (Turkey), February 9, 2010

Davutoglu focuses on Iran in Munich talks

Munich, hosting an annual international security conference from Friday through today, was the venue on Saturday for Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's bilateral talks with his counterparts from various countries. Most of Davutoglu's talks apparently focused on global concerns over the nuclear ambitions of Turkey's neighbor Iran. He met with the new chief of the UN nuclear agency and reiterated Turkey's support for resolving the global dispute surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

Davutoglu told International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano about his impressions from talks with Iranian officials in Tebriz in November. Davutoglu also spoke with US National Security Advisor James Jones and US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, who arrived in Munich from Yerevan, where last week they met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian as well as Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. Other dignitaries Davutoglu spoke with in Munich included Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who visited Ankara last week; Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan; NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union; French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner; and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. I

n a speech to the conference on security and stability in the Middle East, Davutoglu called for a new vision for the region, saying, "The Middle East should no longer be a burden on the group of nations, but must be turned into one that makes everyone winners. The image of the Middle East must be changed. When one looks at the region's historical and cultural past, it doesn't deserve its current bad image. Mutual respect must be established in the region." Davutoglu also reiterated that Turkey opposes nuclear weapons in its region and the world, adding that nuclear energy should be used for peaceful purposes only. In related news, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was also at the conference, thanked the international community for helping to ensure peace and security in Afghanistan, underlining Turkey's efforts in this context. Reiterating his plans to reintegrate Taliban insurgents into Afghan society, he also expressed belief that within five years Afghanistan could stand on its own feet to ensure and preserve security within its borders.

Source: Today's Zaman-Cumhuriyet (Turkey), February 8, 2010

Gul seeks Council of Europe to fight xenophobia

A reform program designed to enhance the 47-nation Council of Europe's (CoE) role in the European political architecture was discussed by CoE Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland and President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul on Sunday. Jagland is in Turkey for a three-day visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu through Tuesday. Speaking with Jagland, Gul stressed the importance of the CoE's role in fighting negative mindsets such as discrimination, intolerance and xenophobia, which he said have been on the rise recently.

Mentioning the UN-led Alliance of Civilizations initiative, co-sponsored by Turkey and Spain, Gul said the CoE should also help to develop understanding and dialogue among different civilizations. Jagland's visit to Turkey comes close on the heels of the election of Turkish Deputy Mevlut Cavusoglu as president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and months before Turkey takes the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the pan-European organization's decision-making body, in November.

While in Turkey, in addition to Gul, Jagland is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Foreign Minister Davutoglu, and PACE President Cavusoglu.

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), February 8, 2010

Turkey puts radio station on air in Afghanistan

Last month Turkey put a radio station on the air in Wardak, in central-east Afghanistan, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Burak Ozugergin announced yesterday. He said the radio station broadcasts in a local language and plays Turkish folk songs.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News (Turkey), February 4, 2010

Davutoglu, Iranian FM discuss Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday received his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, currently in Ankara to attend a bilateral Joint Economic Commission meeting. The top diplomats' talks focused on developments concerning Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. At a joint press conference afterwards, Davutoglu said the two countries have broad cooperation, adding that in their comprehensive talks they discussed regional issues, next month's elections in Iraq, and developments in Afghanistan. "We appreciate Iran's contributions to Afghanistan," he said. Mottaki, for his part, defended Iran's controversial elections last summer, saying that they would never tolerate any attempt to sow chaos in the country.

Source: Cumhuriyet-Turkiye (Turkey), February 4, 2010

Fistfight in Turkish Parliament

Durmuş’s words drew a fierce reaction from AKP deputies, including Erdoğan, leading to a fistfight between AKP and MHP deputies. Some deputies were slightly injured while one deputy was hospitalized.

Source: Turkish weekly, Febryary 3, 2010

Minister Bagis: “If the EU rejects Turkey then it will become a Christian club.”

Turkish chief EU negotiator and Minister Egemen Bagis gave a speech at the Bruges European College. Bagis said that if Turkey was accepted to the EU, this would benefit both sides since Turkey could solve many of the problems in Europe by her young population, her efforts in regional peace and her dynamic economy. Bagis emphasized that Turkey was determined in the process and if the EU rejected Turkey, then it would become a Christian club.

Bagis also said that Turkey of today would not become a member of the EU of today and when the negotiations would be completed, both sides would change a lot. He emphasized that the “borders of EU was in our heads” since 30 years ago, it came till the Pyrenees but today it included Greece and it could also include Istanbul. Bagis criticized the opposition for preventing Turkey’s acceptation to the EU.

Source: Yeni Safak, habervaktim (Turkey), February 4, 2010

PM bitter towards EU for keeping Turkey at its door for five decades

In strongly worded remarks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep disappointment on Wednesday over the way Turkey has been treated by the European Union, calling the treatment “unfair.”

Speaking at a joint press conference following his talks with İhsanoğlu, Erdoğan was asked whether “Turkey’s attitude towards Arabs, which has recently shifted in a positive direction, would change if Turkey becomes a member of the EU,” the Anatolia news agency reported.

“The EU will never change this [stance]. We consider the EU a political club but not a Christian club. There has been no other country that has been kept at the EU’s door for 50 years. The EU has not acted fairly here.”

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), January 21, 2010

Iranian FM Mottaki in Turkey

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki yesterday was received in Ankara by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said that his visit comes as Iran has important political relations with Turkey and it wants to develop them. Today Mottaki is set to be received by President Abdullah Gul and meet with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

Source: Star (Turkey), February 3, 2010

MHP Vice President to Pay 10 thousand TL to PM Erdogan

A Turkish court ruled that the nationalist MHP Vice President, Deniz Bolukbasi, would pay 10 thousand TL (about 6,700 dollars) as damages for mental anguish to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Prime Minister had sued the MHP parliament member on the grounds that his comments on the Prime Minister during a conference exceeded the limits of criticism and were considered a violation of his personal rights.

Source: Yeni Safak (Turkey), February 2, 2010

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan: “It is normal to remove the religion entry on Turkish identity cards”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to questions on the latest decisions of the European Human Rights Court. Erdogan said that the decision of the European Human Rights Court was parallel to the steps adopted by the Turkish Constitutional Court on the subject. “Whether religion is indicated or not on the identity cards would not change much. I don’t think the decision of the EHRC is an unusual decision.”

Erdogan said that he regarded the second decision of the court which rejected the requests of Kurdish citizens to use letters not present in the Turkish alphabet to write their names, as being very important.

Erdogan also emphasized that Turkey had no intention to change the existing order in the Middle East. He stated that the world was in a process of change and every nation would get it share of this change. He said that many countries in the Middle East held international meetings regarding issues of democracy, laicism and establishment of a state of law.

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), February 3, 2010

Istanbul to host NATO meeting focusing on Afghanistan

On the heels of hosting last week's regional conference on Afghanistan, tomorrow and Friday Istanbul will host an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers focusing on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan. The meeting under the auspices of Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul will include NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. NATO's transformation will also be discussed. NATO spokesperson James Appathurai Appathurai last month stressed the unparalleled political and military role Turkey plays in Afghanistan.

In Brussels, Rasmussen said earlier this week that he would urge allies at the Istanbul meeting to do more to meet a shortfall of up to 2,400 people to train Afghan security forces. Rasmussen said one way to make up for the shortfall would be for nations to reconfigure existing contributions to the ISAF. "But I would not exclude the possibility that we will need additional contributions," he said. "This training mission is of utmost importance to accomplish the strategy we all agree on. The more we invest in this transition now, the sooner the day when the Afghans can take responsibility themselves."

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), February 3, 2010

Senior US Iraq commander in Ankara

The senior US commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, arrived in Ankara yesterday at the invitation of Interior Minister Besir Atalay. Today Odierno is set to attend anti-terrorist coordination meetings with Turkish officials, "Turkey is a strong ally of the US," he said. "Our commitment to fight terrorism together will continue." During the meetings, developments concerning Camp Makhmour in northern Iraq, long thought to harbor many members of the PKK, will be discussed. In related news, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit Ankara this weekend to discuss Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source: Cumhuriyet (Turkey), February 3, 2010

Iranian FM Mottaki due in Turkey today

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is scheduled to arrive in Ankara today to take part in a meeting of the Turkey-Iran Joint Economic Commission, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported yesterday. During the meeting, memorandums of understanding to improve bilateral cooperation between the two neighbors will be signed, IRNA said, adding that while in Turkey Mottaki will have talks with both President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Iran 's failure to meet a Dec. 31 deadline set by the US to accept a UN-brokered proposal to send its uranium abroad for processing has prompted world powers to start considering possible tougher sanctions against Tehran .

In December Tehran said it was ready to swap its low-enriched uranium for nuclear fuel abroad, adding that Turkey is among the proposed locations for the fuel exchange, but said nothing is certain yet. Last week, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated Turkey's willingness to find a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear program controversy, while also voicing objections to UN sanctions on the neighboring country.

Source: Today's Zaman (Turkey), February 2, 2010

European Human Rights Court Decisions Concerning Turkey

The European Human Rights Court ruled for and against Turkey in two different cases. Turkish citizen, Sinan Isik, sued the Turkish state regarding the status of religion written in his Turkish identity card. Isik requested his religion to be written as “Alevi” rather than “Islam” on his identity card. Isik first took his case to a Turkish court which decided that ‘Alevism” was not a religion but a sect and so it could not be written on a Turkish identity card. Isik then decided to sue the Turkish state in the European Human Rights Court.

The European Human Rights Court ruled that a person did not have to state his belief and religion and if the status of religion were to be printed on the identity card, it should be written according to the wishes of the individual. The court ruled that the present case violated the freedom of religion and belief.

In another case, the Court evaluated the application of 8 Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin who complained that the Turkish state refused to use the letters of Q, W and X which were present in their names but were not printed in their Turkish identity cards. The Turkish state uses the equivalent of the letters in the Turkish alphabet. The European Human Rights Court decided for Turkey and ruled against the requests in using letters that were not present in the Turkish alphabet.

Source: ntvmsnbc, cnnturk (Turkey), February 2, 2010

Turkish FM Davutoglu: “We will never bargain our honor”

Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu answered the questions of the NTV Turkish TV channel regarding the recent policy issues. Davutoglu said that the principle of Turkey regarding Israel and other countries was very clear. He emphasized that Turkey would support those who would take steps towards peace and all those who thought that their freedoms and security was more important than others would damage the peace of the region. Davutoglu stated that Turkey felt moral responsibility towards everyone’s security and freedom in the region.

Referring to recent ‘couch incident’ with Israel, Davutoglu said that Turkey’s honor would never be on the bargaining table. He emphasized that Turkey gave a clear message on her wishes on the issue and since she got the expected response from Israel, the issue was closed.

Davutoglu emphasized that there had never been anti-Semitism in Turkey and Turkey would never allow such a thing. He said that criticizing Israel was not anti-Semitism. He stated that the peace process in the Middle East was frozen and criticized Israel for continuing the building of settlements and not ending the siege in Gaza. Davutoglu also said that it was not true that Turkey was approaching the Middle East and leaving all other aside and no one could hear either him or the Prime Minister using the expression ‘Neo-Ottomanism.’

Source: ntvmsnbc (Turkey), January 26, 2010

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