Chief Of Turkey's High Administrative Court: "Europe Should Respect Our Judiciary"

Sumru Cortoglu, the chairperson of the Council of State [Danistay] responded to EU criticisms about the closure case against the ruling AKP. She said, "They should show the independent Turkish judiciary the same respect they show to their own judicial organs, lawsuits and verdicts."

Speaking at the 140th anniversary of the founding of the Council of State on Saturday, Sumru Cortoglu criticized the comments and statements of EU officials concerning the closure case filed against the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and gave important messages on secularism.

Cortoglu said, “We consider wrong the attempts from both domestic and international circles at directing and influencing Turkish judicial institutions on issues already passed to the judiciary” and she added, “We expect them to show the same respect to the independent Turkish judiciary, which decides on behalf of the Turkish nation, that they show to judicial organs and their decisions in their own countries. This is what democracy and independence of the judiciary requires.”

Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Turkish Daily News, May 11-12, 2008

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Turkish Islamist Website: "Terrorist Israel Takes Sick Iraqi Children To Hospitals In Tel Aviv To Steal Their Organs"

Radical Islamist website Furkanhaber.com wrote that a Sunni Iraqi Ulema [i.e. Islamic scholars] Delegation demanded that the Arab countries open their hospitals to Iraqi children, women and elderly for treatment.

The ulema stated that sick Iraqi children are taken to hospitals in Tel Aviv and they questioned Israel's motive. The statement said that Israel was responsible for the crisis, human tragedy, genocide, savagery and massacres in Iraq since the invasion that it helped to start, therefore it was unthinkable that it was taking the Iraqi children to hospitals for reasons of humanity.

Source: Furkanhaber.com

Historical Exchange: Turkey, Syria To Swap Real Estate Worth Billions Of Dollars

The issue between Turkey and Syria regarding the exchange of billions of dollars of immovable properties is about to be solved. When PM Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian leader Bashar Assad met in April to discuss Israel’s relinquishing of Golan Heights to Syria, they also discussed this historical issue.

Turkish citizens stand to profit from the exchange of 15,000 real estate properties in Turkey which belong to Syrians, and 50,000 properties in Syria which belong to the Turks.

Source: Sabah, Turkey, May 12, 2008

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Pro-AKP Business Buys Anti-AKP Kanalturk TV

The small, privately owned TV channel Kanalturk known to be the loudest anti-AKP broadcaster, had often been the target of AKP government. It is reported today that 99.99 per cent of Kanalturk’s shares have been purchased by Koza Davetiye that also owns the pro-AKP Turkish daily Bugun. Koza had formed a consortium with Europe’s largest commercial broadcaster RTL Group to bid for Turkey's second largest media group Sabah-ATV, during its sale by the government, but pulled out from the tender, leaving Calik group as the sole bidder.

PM Erdogan’s personal involvement in Sabah’s sale to Calik, the CEO of which is his son-in-law, is suspected.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Turkey, May 12, 2008

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Loud Cheers Of “Allahu Akbar” During Turkish Soccer Game

In the final game of Fortis cup, between the Turkish teams Genclerbirligi and Kayserispor, a total of 28 penalties were shot to break the tie. Throughout the shots crowds that filled the stadium loudly chanted “Ya Allah Bismillah”, “Allahu Akbar” .

Source: Vatan, Hurriyet, May 8, 2008

Opposition Motion To Censure PM Erdogan

MPs of Turkey’s opposition parties CHP and MHP lashed at the AKP government for police violence that targeted workers on May Day in Istanbul. The Republican People's Party (CHP) accused Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of violating workers rights, encouraging the police to use force and endangering public order.The motion for no-confidence vote that was submitted on Wednesday, is likely to be voted on in the coming weeks. It has, however, no chance of passing because Erdogan's party holds the parliamentary majority.

Thousands of police in riot gear fired water cannons and tear gas canisters and charged at demonstrators trying to march to Istanbul's Taksim Square. The AKP government that rejected the unions’ demands to celebrate May Day in Taksim, has been under fire for the events resulting from the extraordinary security measures taken.

The EU called on Tuesday for an investigation into the biggest outbreak of labor unrest in years.

CHP submitted a second motion against PM Erdogan for his questionable conduct in the sale of Turkey's second largest media group Sabah-ATV and interference on behalf of the buyer, Calik group, where Erdogan's son-in-law is the CEO.

Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, May 8, 2008

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Turkey’s Top General: “Turkey Does Not Need EU Advice On Adjectives”

During Israel’s national day reception in Ankara, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit answered reporters’ questions about EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn’s remarks that European Commission supported “democratic secularism” in Turkey [vs. “strict secularism” as implied by EU officials]. Gen. Buyukanit said that Turkey does not need any adjectives added to its name and that Turkish people are capable of defining themselves without the advice of other people.

In agreement with the journalists Buyukanit said that Turkish society was indeed polarizing and that this was worrisome phenomenon should be prevented. When asked about the closure case against the ruling AKP, Buyukanit declined to comment.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, May 8, 2008

Turkish Cartoons On Police Violence on May Day

Beating of Press Worker: Religious Affairs [Islamist Ismailaga Sect], State Affairs [the Police]

Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, May 6, 2008

Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, May 7, 2008

Source: Milliyet, Turkey, May 2, 2008

PM Erdogan Defended Police Violence

"Democratization Package from AKP to EU: Gas bomb, pepper gas, baton " (Cumhuriyet, May 7, 2008)

Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the labour unions of exploitation, and defended the police that turned the holiday into hell for the workers and the people in Istanbul. Erdogan asked, "Who are the police? Did they come from the space? Are these not our sons who are in charge of securing the lives of the people of this country without discrimination? What is the reason for this hostility against the police?" Erdogan said, “Why is it that nothing negative happened during the celebration of Hak-Is (an Islamist labor union)? Nobody [in the media] shows the Hak-Is celebration, but only the ones in Taksim [Istanbul] and Sihhiye [Ankara]. Of course their excuse is that Hak-Is is pro-AKP. So that means whenever there is no fighting and violence they are pro-AKP, whenever there is fighting and violence they are anti-AKP”.

Erdogan continued to slam the trade unions and said that they don’t have a mass [of followers] behind them, “They couldn’t gather even 500 or 1000 people together in Sisli” [that had turned into a war zone].

Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, May 7, 2008

Turkey-EU Troika Meets In Ankara; EU Reiterates Support To AKP; Urges Investigation Of May Day Events

The bi-annual meeting that brings together three senior EU officials and Turkish leaders took place in Ankara today. EU’s current president Slovenia’s FM Dimirtij Rupel, the Minister of EU Affairs Jean Pierre Jouyet of the incoming president France, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn met with Turkish FM Ali Babacan. After the meeting Olli Rehn repeated their expectation that Turkey adopt the Union's Venice criteria on party closures and the Slovenian FM Dimitrij Rupel said that the 27-member bloc was "concerned" by the case against the AKP, stressing that 2008 would be a crucial year for Turkey's troubled accession process, a decisive year for the reform process, which should not be lost.

The EU broke its silence on the inappropriate use of force by Turkish police during May Day celebrations last week. Rehn said, “We in the Commission deplore the disproportionate use of force on the 1st of May", adding that the Commission expected the events to be investigated.

Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, May 6, 2008

Islamist Zaman: “Retired Chief Of Navy Endorses Fethullah Schools At Home And Abroad”

The Islamist Fethullah Gulen community’s daily Zaman reported today that it had conducted an interview with a retired Turkish admiral who formerly had commanded the Naval Forces who allegedly said that he admired the Fethullah Gulen’s schools established in dozens of foreign countries with the help of Turkish entrepreneurs associated with Gulen movement.

His remarks came one day after the New York Times article praising these schools. The admiral allegedly said that he did not agree with accusations against these schools and added that those who wish to fight should pick up issues other than education to fight about. Zaman did not disclose the name of this top-ranking military official and wrote that this was done to respect the admiral’s request.

Source: Zaman, Turkey, May 6, 2008

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Mainstream Media Reacts To NYT Article On Fethullah Gulen As Propaganda; Islamist Media Celebrates The Praising Of The Influential Islamist Leader

The New York Times article of May 4, 2008 praising Fethullah Gulen schools for spreading “moderate Islam" [vs radical Islam] caused mixed reactions in Turkey. While large mainstream dailies criticized NYT article and its reporter Sabrina Tavernise, known in Turkey for her pro-AKP stance, the Islamist media, especially Zaman daily which belongs to Gulen community, are celebrating the article that elevates their Islamist leader Fethullah Hocaefendi. Zaman lashes at the mainstream media and says that Gulen is better appreciated in the West as an Islamic scholar, and an intellectual than in Turkey by his fellow Turks.

Secular Turks see Gulen as a convicted, dangerous Islamist whose shady organization has become a state within the state with global reach. For these Turks Gulen is an imam who has no formal education beyond elementary school that plans to overthrow the secular democratic regime in Turkey and establish sharia rule instead. Source: Zaman, Turkey, May 6, 2008

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Anti-Islamist Statements At Turkish Cinema Awards Ceremony

At last night’s awards ceremony of the Cinema Actors Association, Turkish film makers and actors were presented with trophies. Two veteran actors, Kadir Inanir and Tarik Akan, who were awarded for their long-time contribution to cinema, took the stage together and made strong statements urging members of the film industry to organize and stand against sharia tendencies in Turkey. Tarik Akan said, “Kadir Inanir and I have given a long fight against Islamists and fascists and for this country to be ruled in a proper way. But we have aged already. I suggest that all of us stand together and say ‘no’ to Islamist, pro-sharia press and TV channels, and refuse to work for them”.

Source: Vatan, Turkey, May 6, 2008

Imam In Trabzon:"No Lapel Pin Of Ataturk In Mosque"

Sezai Yasar, the imam of the Central Mosque in a Trabzon district told a congregant, Omer Atalar who always wears a lapel pin of Ataturk that he should not come to the mosque wearing that pin, and that he was committing a sin. He said that praying with that pin was not acceptable practice in Islam. 80 year-old Atalar said that he has always performed his five-times-a-day namaz [Islamic prayer] in the mosque and that he had never heard such a comment before.

Trabzon’s mufti said that Islam does not ban wearing this or any other pin in mosques.

Source: Vatan, Turkey, May 6, 2008

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Vatan: “Not A Word From Government On Lynching Attempt Against Journalists”

Vatan columnist Gungor Mengi complained in his column about lack of interest on the part of the authorities in the severe beating of three of Vatan reporters at the hands of members of Islamist Ismailaga sect. Mengi wrote, “PM Erdogan, in his public speeches in city squares frequently says that he ‘loves the created, out of love for the Creator’ [a Sufi saying] implying that he doesn’t differentiate among people and loves them all. He calls female students all over the country that allegedly suffered discrimination because of their Islamic headscarves. He calls to console their parents. He calls to congratulate someone in southeastern Turkey for having his fourth child [...]

[...]

Source: Vatan, Turkey, May 6, 2008

Turkish Labor Unions Vow To Take Action Against AKP Government For May Day Violence

Turkey's leading labor unions vowed on Monday to take legal action against government officials they claimed are liable for the police's disproportional use of force during May 1 celebrations. Labor Unions Confederation (DISK) Chairman Suleyman Celebi, the Confederation of Public Sector Unions (KESK) Chairman Ismail Hakki Tombul and the Turkish Confederation of Labor (Turk-Is) Secretary General Mustafa Turker criticized the government over the extreme measures it took against demonstrators during May Day celebrations, in a joint press conference on Monday.

Celebi criticized the security forces' disproportional use of force, the firing of water cannons,gas bombs and pepper spray against workers in front of and inside the union buildings for no apparent reason. He said that the government's hostility towards labor and the working class was clearly visible on May 1.

[...]

Source: Hurriyet, all mainstream Turkish dailies, May 6, 2008

One Of Every Four Women In Turkey Victim Of Violence

Turkish State Minister Nimet Cubukcu said that there were 55 incidents of physical and psychological violence against women in the months of January and February in Turkey. According to a women's NGO, one out of every four women in Turkey is a victim of violence.

Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, May 5, 2008

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What Will PM Erdogan Do If AKP Is Closed Down?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a dinner with journalists that if the Constitutional Court decided to close down his Justice & Development Party (AKP), a new political party would be formed. In case of the closure, early elections would be held and Erdogan would run in the elections as an independent candidate. Erdogan said, "If I cannot run in the elections, I would lead a non-governmental organization or form a new one".

Analysts are saying that early elections are likely even if the Constitutional Court decided against closure, because AKP is eager to capitalize on the appearance of “victimhood” and increase its votes at an early election.

Source: Vatan, Turkey, May 5, 2008

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Islamist Sect Members Attempt To Lynch Journalists

Members of the Ismailaga Islamist sect have attacked three reporters of the mainstream daily Vatan for taking photographs of the sect leader's house in an Istanbul district, which according to recent reports is worth 1.7 million dollars. 18 people wearing Islamic-style clothes tried to lynch the reporters. All three journalists suffered injuries from severe beating and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Adherents of the sect were detained by gendarmerie forces, but were later released by the court on duty.

Source: Vatan, Turkey, May 5, 2008

PKK Losing Qandil

Terrorist organization PKK is losing Qandil Mountain after back to back operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces in the past three months. The PKK has lost about 150 operatives, at least two of them "senior leaders", in the recent air raids conducted in Mount Qandil region.

Turkish security forces arrested four terrorists in south-eastern province of Hakkari's Semdinli town on Sunday.

Source: Cumhuriyet, Vatan, Turkey, May 5, 2008

Turkish Media, Opposition Slam AKP Government For May Day Events: “Police State”, “End Of Democracy”

Pictures of yesterday’s events in Istanbul shocked the nation. PM Erdogan, the AKP government, Istanbul’s governor and security chief are being accused for the use of extreme force by the police that used gas bombs, pepper gas, water cannons and clubs against workers who wanted to celebrate May Day in Istanbul’s Taksim square. The events took place at locations miles away from Taksim square and even spread to inter-city highways where buses were stopped to prevent any worker from reaching Istanbul.

About 30 thousand police officers were on duty preventing workers from even gathering at any point in the city. About 40 people were wounded and 530 detained by the police.

Source: Vatan, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Cumhuriyet, Turkey, May 2, 2008

Turkish Warplanes Strike PKK Camps In Northern Iraq

About 30 Turkish warplanes bombed PKK bases in Northern Iraq late Thursday night. The raids targeted the PKK leadership of outlawed PKK in Mount Qandil area.

Source: Anatolia News Agency, May 2, 2008

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A Turkish Delegation In Iraq, First Official Contact Between Turkey And Kurdish Leadership of N.Iraq

A Turkish delegation, headed by the Turkish Prime Minister’s chief adviser Ahmet Davutoglu met on Thursday with the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the Prime Minister of Kurdish administration Barzani, and high ranking officials from the Iraqi government and Kurdish administration.

Talabani, who visited Turkey in March, said he was pleased that the meeting had taken place. He said that it was important for Turkey to strengthen ties with not only the central Iraqi government but also the Kurdish administration.Talabani’s statement said, "The two delegations met and they discussed mutual relations between the two sides and studied the problems and anxiety which have colored relations between them in the past. The two sides found the necessary mechanism to overcome these problems and hurdles which hinder the development of the relationship between the two sides".

Falah Mustafa, foreign policy chief in the Kurdish regional government said, "This is the first time a meeting has taken place between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan government".

In the meantime, President Abdullah Gul yesterday met with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi in Ankara and the fight against the PKK came up during their talks. Gul said that they had a comprehensive meeting with al-Hashimi where Turkish-Iraqi relations were broadly discussed.

Source: Anatolia News Agency, Hurriyet, May 2, 2008

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Labor Unions Cancelled May Day Celebrations; “Freedom For Islamic Headscarf Is All The Hypocrite AKP Cares About”

Leaders of major labor unions called off the plans to celebrate May Day in Istanbul’s Taksim square due to lack of security for the workers’ lives. The leaders said that many workers were wounded, and thousands of them were imprisoned in buses, in their homes or the buildings that they were in. DISK leader said, “Freedom for Islamic headscarf is the only freedom that the hypocrite AKP cares about”.

Police chasing workers into a hospital dropped gas bombs in the emergency room, causing panic and distress among patients. Pepper gas sprayed into DISK building got many sick, including opposition MPs. CHP MP Ali Ozpolat had a heart condition and waited for two hours for the ambulance to arrive.CHP MP Sahin Mengu described the events of today as 'barbaric'.

Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, May 1, 2008

Istanbul A Battleground: Police Attacks Workers Since Dawn – Hospitals On Alert

Workers started to come to DISK headquarters in Sisli, Istanbul where all union members were to gather before marching to Taksim square to celebrate May Day. Some were inside the DISK building resting, while others sat outside and started the celebration early by singing.

Large numbers of police blockaded the building and the surrounding area and moved to disperse the workers beginning at 6:30 AM. Since then, police has been attacking workers and other participants in the rally by use of pepper gas, pressured water and batons in various locations of Istanbul. The city is under police siege and force is being used to prevent any gathering, anywhere.

Turkish media says that the scenes remind the period prior to September 12 [1980] military coup. It is said that many CHP, DTP and ODP MPs and officials are also inside DISK building where harshest attacks are taking place. Istanbul's hospitals are put on high alert.

Source: Vatan, Milliyet, Hurriyet, May 1, 2008

Istanbul, A Forbidden City; Tens Of Thousands Of Police In Taksim Square

Istanbul woke up to a tense May 1 morning today. Taksim Square where labor unions wanted to celebrate Labor Day is under siege by the police and military units. Busses carrying workers from other cities are stopped on highways leading to Istanbul. No workers are allowed into the city.

Source: All Turkish dailies, May 1, 2008

Turkish Parliament Passes Amendment To Article 301

The Turkish Parliament passed a bill early today amending the controversial Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which limited freedom of speech and criminalized insulting "Turkishness". The bill was adopted with 250 in favor to 65 votes against.

In the new bill, which made cosmetic changes only, the term "Turkishness" is replaced by the "Turkish nation," and the term "Republic" with "State of the Republic of Turkey". The amended article gives Turkish justice minister the authority to approve any investigation and/or prosecution under 301.

The European Union has been urging Turkey to eliminate – or amend – the Article 301, which has been the basis for charges against many Turkish writers and journalists.

Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008

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Labor Unions Change Plans; Over 100 Turkish MPs Will Be In Taksim To Celebrate May Day With Workers

(Cumhuriyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008)

Following the refusal of the AKP government to allow workers to celebrate May 1 Labor Day in Istanbul’s largest square, the leaders of three major labor organizations, Turk-Is, DISK and KESK met today to redesign their plans for tomorrow in face of the extraordinary security measures being implemented by the authorities. Their initial plan was for the three large unions to march to Taksim square from three separate directions, each group carrying their own flags and identifying banners.

Mustafa Turkel, the Secretary General of Turkey’s largest confederation of workers Turk-Is said in a joint statement that they were sadly watching how in a few hours Taksim square was turned into a large outdoor prison. He added that they have now made changes in their plans and instead of marching through three routes, now all labor organizations would use the same route into Taksim. They have also decided not to carry any flags or banners of any kind, but only May Day banners. Turkel said, “We will march with one slogan and one flag, and we don’t have any more concessions to make”.

Kurdish party DTP MPs announced that they would take part in May Day celebrations alongside the workers, as well as the majority of CHP, DSP and independent MPs. CHP’s Istanbul organization that obtained permission from the party’s executive organs will also participate with about 10 thousand members.

Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Turkey, April 30, 2008

AKP Files Its Preliminary Defense With The Constitutional Court

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today that the AKP would not ask for an extension to prepare its preliminary defense with regard to the lawsuit filed against the party in March. Recently Erdogan has been saying that both domestic and foreign legal minds had prepared a very good defense for the party, one that would "be taught in law schools everywhere".

According to media reports, later today three high ranking AKP officials filed the 126-pages-long preliminary defense document with the high court, one day before tomorrow’s deadline.

After the Chief Prosecutor states his views on the merits of the case, the AKP will make a verbal defense in a month's time. This will be followed by verbal statements of the Chief Prosecutor in response.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008

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Istanbul’s Main Square Barricaded, City Shutting Down For May Day

Istanbul’s Governor Muammer Guler implements government’s decision not to allow labor unions to celebrate May Day in the city’s biggest square ‘Taksim’ by taking harsh security measures. Barriers are built already around Taksim square and all streets leading to it are barricaded to stop workers from getting there. Schools in three districts will be closed tomorrow, public transportation including ferries, busses and the metro will be suspended and traffic leading to Taksim will be shut down until tomorrow evening.

It is feared that these kinds of security measures and the presence of tens of thousands of policemen might spark the violence at tomorrow’s celebrations.

Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008

AKP Government, Labor Unions Failed To Resolve Conflict; Fears Of Clashes On May Day

Tuesday’s meeting between PM Tayyip Erdogan and leaders of major labor unions failed to resolve the issue of how workers’ will mark May 1 labor day. AKP Government rejected the labor union demand to hold the celebrations in Istanbul’s Taksim Square and suggested that only about 100-150 union leaders could go to the square to lay a wreath at Ataturk's monument there and read a statement.

In a press conference today Turkish labor and interior ministers said that Taksim Square would be off-limits to workers, allegedly because of concerns for possible provocations on the part of some illegal organizations that may exploit the event and turn it into a violent one. However, analysts say that the government fears that the celebrations will turn into a massive anti-AKP rally over the government’s new social security law, the high inflation and record-high unemployment. The two ministers told reporters that this was the government’s last word and that there would be no tolerance on this matter.

The three major Labor Unions that represent over three million workers responded in a press conference of their own and said that 500 thousand workers would come to Taksim tomorrow with flowers in their hands to peacefully exercise their internationally recognized right to celebrate May Day.

Source: Vatan, Cumhuriyet, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008

Dangerous Standoff Between Turkish Labor Unions And AKP Government

In a televised press conference on Monday, the Governor of Istanbul Muammer Guler rejected the demands of Turkey’s major labor unions to hold May 1 celebrations in Istanbul’s central Taksim square and said that such an attempt would constitute a crime. He said that the security forces would diffuse any illegal demonstrations by use of force, if necessary. The Governor also said that a legal complaint was filed with the court against those who announce and invite the public to unlawful events.

Major unions such as KESK and DISK that represent over three million people reiterated their determination to celebrate May Day in Taksim. KESK Chairman Ismail Hakki Tombul reacted to Governor Guler’s statement by saying that use of police and force to avert the celebrations cannot be reconciled with democracy and freedom. He added that AKP embraces values of democracy and freedom only when it affects their party and their views, and urged them to act responsibly.

Observers say that the government is reluctant to lift the ban due to its concerns that the celebrations would turn into a massive anti-AKP rally following the recently amended, controversial social security law.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, April 29, 2008

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Turkey Mediates Between Israel, Syria

Following the weekend visit in Syria by Turkish PM Erdogan, when both he and the Syrian President Assad confirmed that Turkey would mediate for peace between Syria and Israel, it is being speculated in the media that a Turkish envoy will soon be sent to Israel. It is not clear whether this envoy would be Erdogan’s senior foreign policy advisor Ahmet Davutoglu, who is the architect of Turkey’s closer than ever relations with the Islamic world.

In Ankara, Turkish FM Ali Babacan told reporters that there's still a lot to achieve before any peace agreement between Israel and Syria. An agreement between the longtime enemies requires "strong political determination" from both sides, he added. Babacan said that Turkey would pass messages between the sides until they are ready to meet, and added, "Talks will continue to take place through Turkey for a while. When the issue is a little more mature, then I hope that the sides will meet each other".

Turkey is trying to restart low-level talks between the two countries as a prelude to bringing the leaders of Syria and Israel together.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, April 27, 2008

Radical Islamist Columnist Of Vakit Arrested For Sexually Molesting A 14 Year Old Girl

The 78 year old Islamist columnist Huseyin Uzmez was detained and later arrested in Bursa for repeated sexual assaults on an elementary school student. He has been writing for the radical Islamist Turkish daily Vakit for many years and he is a frequent guest at TV programs where he preaches Islamic morality and advocates for shari’a rule. Huseyin Uzmez had last married a woman 50 years younger than himself in 2003.

Uzmez is known to be the first armed Islamist activist in Turkey who in 1952 - when he was a high school student - had shot the prominent journalist Ahmet Emin Yalman, then the owner and chief editor of Vatan daily for his anti-Islamist views. He had served 10 years in prison for attempted murder and studied law after his release.

Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 26, 2008

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Deniz Baykal Re-elected As Chairman Of CHP

Deniz Baykal is re-elected as the chairman of Turkey's main opposition CHP in the party’s 32nd convention on Saturday. Four other members of the party failed to find enough support to declare candidacy leaving Baykal alone in the contest.

Baykal, was first elected CHP’s leader in 1992. This was the tenth time he ran for the post.

Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, April 26, 2008

PM Erdogan’s Call For “Minimum Three Children Per Family” Affects Family Planning

Remziye Kiymik, the head of Mother-Child Health and Family Planning Foundation in Antalya said that they are faced with difficulties in their efforts to educate families on birth control. She said that many citizens are saying, “The PM himself tells us that we should make more children, and you come here to say the opposite” and they shut their doors to the educators.

Remziye Kiymik said that the number of people willing to accept support and assistance in family planning has been reduced to half, since PM Erdogan’s remarks.

Source: Vatan, Turkey, April 26, 2008

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Turkey's Top Judge Slammed "Attempts To Influence" Court

In his speech at the ceremony to mark the 46th anniversary of the founding of Turkey's High Constitutional Court, Chief Justice Hasim Kilic emphasized the importance of the separation of powers, the rule of law in democracies and said, "We are saddened by the national as well as the international attempts to manipulate, influence and pressure the court".

Kilic said that in a country where an ideology and faith are imposed on the people, there cannot be a pluralistic democracy. It is an undeniable fact that there is a crisis and mistrust between the political, ethnic and religious segments of our society. Fears among people cannot be ignored; and unless those who are in power find the solutions to alleviate these fears and doubts, the crack can only deepen. Seeking support [...]

[...]

Source: Anatolia News Agency, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 25, 2008

CHP Leader Deniz Baykal Slammed PM, AKP Government

CHP leader Deniz Baykal strongly criticized the government during his address at Turkish parliament’s special session yesterday on the occasion of National Sovereignty Day. He said, “There are attempts to put Turkey's judiciary under pressure. Worse yet is that some inner and outer powers are encouraging these trends. No international organization will be able to influence the free conscience of Turkish judges”.

The CHP and AKP exchanged bitter words over a Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) declaration on the closure case against the AKP. The CHP accused the AKP members of PACE of seeking foreign alliances against the Turkish judiciary. Baykal also accused the government of its undemocratic actions and said, “Democracies have no place for prime ministers that hide behind immunities, for those who issue pardons for their crimes by changing the laws, for those that use state banks to buy partisan media, and for governments that entrust the public education in the hands of people calling for jihad in schools”. Baykal said, such a government would inevitably cause the questioning of its legitimacy.

[...]

Source: Hurriyet, Turkish Daily News, April 24, 2008

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Video Shown In Religion Class Terrorizes High School Students

According to Turkish media reports, teachers of the compulsory religion classes in Turkish high schools – first in Gaziantep, then in Konya and now in Izmir – have shown a three part film during their class that terrified the students. The film, originally in Arabic and subtitled in Turkish, shows Hasan, a teenager, playing cards and listening to Western music with his friends. When his pious Muslim father calls him and reminds him that it is time for namaz [Islamic prayer], Hasan chooses to stay with his friends and continue to play.

The film becomes a horror story with the appearance of a black “angel of death”, who takes Hasan away. The satanic figure keeps telling Hasan that he was to be punished for his sins, and for neglecting his obligations to pray and live as a Muslim. His dead body is scorched with boiling water as he begs Allah to forgive him and bring him back to his good way.

Following complaints by some students and parents, the education authorities in the three cities have launched investigations into the matter.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Turkey, April 22-24, 2008

‘Yes’ To Islamic Prayers, ‘No’ To Girls’ Dance Costumes At Istanbul Elementary School Ceremony

According to mainstream media reports, the ceremony to mark April 23 Children’s Day at the Ataturk Elementary School in Kartal, Istanbul, turned into a crisis. The planned program that took place in the school’s courtyard began with the chanting of ezan [Islamic call to prayer] by a child dressed as a soldier, after which all children performed a collective namaz [Islamic prayer]. Then it was the turn of girls to perform a dance, but the principal of the school Mehmet Karaman stopped the music and terminated the ceremony abruptly because he found the girls’ costumes “too revealing”.

Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Haberturk.com, Turkey, April 24, 2008

Iraqi Kurdistan Province President Mas'oud Al-Barazani Warns Turkey Not to Interfere Over Kirkuk, Declares: I Support The Rights Of The Palestinian People, But... I Am Against Driving Israel Into The Sea

Tensions in Turkey in Advance of Presidential Elections (II)

Turkish Radio and TV Council Issues Warning to Turkish Radio Stations for Broadcasting Islamist Messages and Calling for Jihad

Tensions Rise in Turkey in Advance of Presidential Elections 

Secular Turks Criticize U.S. Ambassador for Dismissing Warnings Against Rising Islamism in Turkey 

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