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Sunday, October 31, 2004

On Turkey, Paris and Berlin unite

"On Turkey, Paris and Berlin unite
The Associated Press, Reuters
Wednesday, October 27, 2004

BERLIN France and Germany on Tuesday stood behind Turkey's campaign to join the European Union, although President Jacques Chirac of France stuck by his plan to hold a referendum on the issue and said membership negotiations could take years.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was in Berlin trying to cement new economic ties with Europe by signing a deal to buy European airplanes and pressing for support ahead of a December EU summit meeting that will decide whether to talks begin on Turkey joining the 25-nation bloc."

More: On Turkey, Paris and Berlin unite: printer friendly version

Christian News - The Christian Post | Prince Charles Lends Support to Turkey's EU bid

"Prince Charles Lends Support to Turkey's EU bid
The Prince of Wales praised Turkey as an example of religious tolerance and lent support to its bid to join the European Union, during his tour of religious and historic sites in the ancient southeastern city of Mardin"

More: Christian News - The Christian Post | Prince Charles Lends Support to Turkey's EU bid

Channelnewsasia.com

"Chirac says Turkey's EU bid 'not a done deal'

PARIS : French President Jacques Chirac said Wednesday that Turkey's EU membership bid was 'not a done deal,' although he believed it was in Europe's best interests, a government spokesman reported after a cabinet meeting.

'It is for Turkey to do the necessary to join the European Union, not for the EU to adapt to Turkey,' he was quoted as telling ministers. "

More: Channelnewsasia.com

Turkey's European perspective: the German view

"Turkey's European perspective: the German view

In Short:

The author, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer , argues that the German Government has given its unrelenting support for accession negotiations if Turkey meets the Copenhagen political criteria. According to the article that was originally published by the Turkish Policy Quarterly , both Turkey and the EU are already reaping the benefits of Turkey's EU perspective."

More: Turkey's European perspective: the German view

TimesDispatch.com | Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey to discuss its future

"Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey to discuss its future

Richmond Times-DispatchOct 30, 2004

The former U.S. ambassador to Turkey will discuss the democratic and secularized Islamic state's future with the European Union before the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond on Nov. 11.
Ambassador Mark Parris represented the United States in Turkey from 1997 to 2000."

More: TimesDispatch.com | Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey to discuss its future

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Reuters.com:Chirac's Popularity Sinks on Turkey and Economy

"Chirac's Popularity Sinks on Turkey and Economy
Sun Oct 24, 2004 08:11 AM ET

By Mary Kelleher
PARIS (Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac's popularity has sunk to its lowest level in seven years because of fears over the economy and Turkey's bid to join the European Union, an opinion poll showed Sunday.
The poll published by Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper also showed Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's popularity was at its lowest ebb since he took office in May 2002.
The survey underlined the problems Chirac faces convincing the French public of the merits of Turkey's EU candidacy and indicated that many French people are yet to feel the benefits of France's economic recovery. "

More:International News Article | Reuters.com

EU Business - Paris faces pressure as Turkish PM drops in on Franco-German summit

"Paris faces pressure as Turkish PM drops in on Franco-German summit

24 October 2004

France will come under renewed pressure on Tuesday to soften its stance on Turkey's bid to join the European Union when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan drops in on a Franco-German summit in Berlin.
In German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder Erdogan has won perhaps his strongest ally in his country's four-decade-old bid to join the EU and he will be hoping to benefit from Berlin's exceptionally close ties with Paris. "

More: EU Business - Paris faces pressure as Turkish PM drops in on Franco-German summit

Kurds' political ambitions in Iraq worry Turkey

"Kurds' political ambitions in Iraq worry Turkey
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times
October 24, 2004

ANKARA, TURKEY -- Turkish officials are watching with alarm, and rattling a few sabers, as ethnic Kurds gain strength in northern Iraq -- but their ability to react militarily is limited, analysts say."

More: Kurds' political ambitions in Iraq worry Turkey
"MacShane reassures Turkish Cypriots
By Simon Bahceli

BRITISH Euro Minister Denis MacShane sought to reassure the Turkish Cypriots on Friday that Britain was behind them in their bid to secure direct trade and transport connections with the EU.

MacShane was in the north for a fact-finding visit, which included meetings with a number of Turkish Cypriot politicians and a trip to the Greek language secondary school in the Karpas peninsula.

Britain wishes to see strong economies on both sides of the Green Line with trade between them and other countries taking place under EU norms,� he told journalists gathered at the school."

More:

Saturday, October 23, 2004

The New York Times > International > Europe > Turkey's Law Overhaul Overwhelms Courts and Citizens

"Turkey's Law Overhaul Overwhelms Courts and Citizens
By SUSAN SACHS

Published: October 24, 2004


ANKARA, Turkey Oct. 18 - In Judge Dursun Genel's snug little courtroom, the feuding couples shuttle in and out with stories of exhausted dreams and unhappy marriages.
'We'll never have peace,' a young woman recently told the judge, agreeing with her estranged husband that the only solution to their problems was divorce. "

The New York Times > International > Europe > Turkey's Law Overhaul Overwhelms Courts and Citizens

Friday, October 22, 2004

When It Enters The E.U., What Will Turkey's Population Be?

"When It Enters The E.U., What Will Turkey's Population Be?
BYEGM: 10/22/2004
BY HURSIT GUNES
MILLIYET- Turkey's European Union membership is becoming clearer. While many EU members favor our membership, others see Turkey as a very different country. This didn't come out before, because Turkey has never been so close to EU membership. Resistance emerges as the time for decision approaches. "

More: When It Enters The E.U., What Will Turkey's Population Be?

Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | After years of 'yes if'

"After years of 'yes if'

While Europe has wavered, pressure from within has liberalised Turkey

Jonathan Steele in Istanbul
Friday October 22, 2004
The Guardian

Suspicion and impatience still hang heavy over this most European of Turkish cities in spite of the best report on EU entry that Turkey has ever received. The European commission has just recommended that when Europe's leaders hold their next summit in December, they should decide to open accession negotiations at last. Though the talks themselves will take years, as happens with every applicant, Turkey's decades-long wait in the EU's anteroom appears almost over. "

More: Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | After years of 'yes if'

The New York Times > International > Europe > Referendums Wrong Way to Decide Turkey's Fate, Leader Says

"Referendums Wrong Way to Decide Turkey's Fate, Leader Says
By CRAIG S. SMITH

Published: October 22, 2004

PARIS, Oct. 21 - The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, touring Europe to gain support for Turkey's proposed membership in the European Union, sharply objected Thursday to plans by several countries to let domestic referendums eventually decide his country's future."

More: The New York Times > International > Europe > Referendums Wrong Way to Decide Turkey's Fate, Leader Says

Would Turkey split the EU and the U.S. ?

Would Turkey split the EU and the U.S. ?
By Ian Bremmer International Herald Tribune
Friday, October 22, 2004


NEW YORK On Oct. 7, the European Union's executive commission officially recommended that the 25-member bloc start talks with Turkey on eventual membership in the EU. As Europe debates the merits of Turkey's admission, it faces a defining moment. EU member states must decide if it is time to expand the definition of Europe to include a Muslim nation. But the decision may also change the fundamentals of trans-Atlantic relations in unexpected ways: Turkey's admission to the EU may drive a wedge between the United States and Europe.

More: Would Turkey split the EU and the U.S. ?

Turkey Hopes EU Bid Stays on Track | Europe | Deutsche Welle |

"Turkey Hopes EU Bid Stays on Track

Geographically, Turkey is only a bridge-length away from Europe

Relations between Turkey and the European Union are at a 'critical point' ahead of a decision on whether to allow the country to begin membership talks, Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said.

'Historically, we have reached a very critical point,' Cicek told a conference of Turkish businessmen in Berlin on Thursday."

More: Turkey Hopes EU Bid Stays on Track | Europe | Deutsche Welle |

AP Wire | 10/22/2004 | OECD Report Boosts Turkey's EU Case

"OECD Report Boosts Turkey's EU Case

LAURENCE FROST

Associated Press


PARIS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the most of an upbeat economic report on his country to press its case for membership in the European Union.
Less than two months before EU leaders decide whether to begin membership talks with Ankara, Erdogan said Thursday that the hostility shown in some European countries toward Turkey's bid 'saddens' him."

More: AP Wire | 10/22/2004 | OECD Report Boosts Turkey's EU Case

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Turkey Looks South, and Worries

"Turkey Looks South, and Worries
It fears that the gains made by Iraq's Kurdish minority could provoke an uprising at home. But for now, it knows that its hands are tied.

October 20, 2004
Times Headlines

By Tracy Wilkinson, Times Staff Writer


ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish officials are watching with alarm, and rattling a few sabers, as ethnic Kurds gain strength in northern Iraq - but their ability to react militarily is limited, analysts say."

More: Turkey Looks South, and Worries:

Portugal supports talks on Turkey's EU membership

"Portugal supports talks on Turkey's EU membership

www.chinaview.cn 2004-10-21 13:13:35

LISBON, Oct. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Portugal said it supported the opening of talks on Turkey's entry into the European Union (EU), local media reported Wednesday. "

More: :: Xinhuanet - English ::

Business Day- Can Ankara resist its old habits?

"Can Ankara resist its old habits?


TURKISH TURNAROUND/Martin Wolf
FOR Turkey it has been 18th time lucky. After 17 unsuccessful programmes with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), one has finally worked. After decades of high inflation and deteriorating performance, stability and high growth are in sight. "

More: Business Day- Can Ankara resist its old habits?

OECD-Economic Survey of Turkey - Introductory Remarks for a Press Briefing on 21 October 2004

OECD - Economic Survey of Turkey - Introductory Remarks for a Press Briefing on 21 October 2004

21/10/2004 - Turkey has started an ambitious reform agenda with far-reaching macroeconomic and structural reforms. If these reforms are fully implemented and further developed there is a good chance that its economy can shift to a stronger and sustainable job-rich growth path. This is the main conclusion of the economic survey

More: Economic Survey of Turkey - Introductory Remarks for a Press Briefing on 21 October 2004

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

EU Business - Turkey to sign up to International Criminal Court

"Turkey to sign up to International Criminal Court

21 October 2004

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced late Wednesday that his country would sign and ratify the Rome statute that created the International Criminal Court, which rules on war crimes and crimes against humanity. "

More:EU Business - Turkey to sign up to International Criminal Court

Turkish Cypriot premier resigns amid deadlock: printer friendly version

"Turkish Cypriot premier resigns amid deadlock
Agence France-Presse, Reuters
Thursday, October 21, 2004


NICOSIA The Turkish Cypriot prime minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, on Wednesday announced his resignation after a months-long political deadlock in breakaway northern Cyprus.

'We submitted our resignation,' Talat said in the Turkish-held sector of the island's divided capital flanked by the deputy prime minister, Serdar Denktash, son of the revered Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash."

More: Turkish Cypriot premier resigns amid deadlock: printer friendly version

Terrorism & Security | csmonitor.com

"EU preparing for vote on Turkish accession

Entrance of Turkey would be as 'significant for Europe as D-Day.'

by Jim Bencivenga | csmonitor.com


German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Tuesday equated the importance of Turkey's entry to the European Union to that of the D-Day invasion 60 years ago, reports the BBC.
Meeting with his counterpart, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Mr. Fischer emphasized that Turkey's entry must be seen in a strategic, 'long-term' light and would be 'a key way to liberate Europe from the threat of insecurity from the Middle East and 'terrorist ideas,'' reports the BBC. "

More:Terrorism & Security | csmonitor.com

:: Xinhuanet - English ::

"Turkey's EU membership to open new horizons: EU official

www.chinaview.cn 2004-10-21 02:45:23

ANKARA, Oct. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Turkey's EU membership will open newhorizons for both Turkey and the European Union and bring forth newchallenges, visiting new EU commissioner Olli Rehn said on Wednesday.
Rehn made the remarks at a conference named 'Turkey in the EU: ACommon Future,' which was organized by the European Parliament Greens/EFA (European Freedoms Alliance) Group in Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey. "

More: :: Xinhuanet - English ::

The New York Times > International > Europe > German Party Cool to Turk's Plea to Join Europe

"German Party Cool to Turk's Plea to Join Europe
By REUTERS

Published: October 20, 2004


BERLIN, Oct. 19 - Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul of Turkey failed on Tuesday to persuade Germany's conservative opposition to back Turkey's bid for full European Union membership, but said he was confident the bloc would give a go-ahead to entry talks."

More: The New York Times > International > Europe > German Party Cool to Turk's Plea to Join Europe

BBC NEWS | Europe | Turkey EU entry as big as 'D-Day'

"Turkey EU entry as big as 'D-Day'

Joschka Fischer said Turkey was 'heavyweight'
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has said Turkish entry to the European Union would be as important for Europe as the D-Day invasion 60 years ago.
Mr Fischer told the BBC that Europe needs to bring in Turkey and use its influence to make the country secular.
Turkish membership was a key way to liberate Europe from the threat of insecurity from the Middle East and 'terrorist ideas', the minister added.
There is significant public opposition to Turkey's accession in Germany. "

More: BBC NEWS | Europe | Turkey EU entry as big as 'D-Day'

European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid | Europe | Deutsche Welle |

"European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid

The Greens' meeting in Istanbul unsurprisingly focuses on Turkey

During a three-day parliamentary group meeting in Istanbul, Europe's Greens have come out in support for Turkey's EU bid and criticized proposed national referendums on its membership."

More: European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid | Europe | Deutsche Welle |

ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2004102013155)

"Sick Man of Europe
I heard it for the first time from Professor Ahmet Insel. He described France as 'the sick man' of Europe.
The reason was obvious: It was against the hysterical resistance to Turkey's possible European Union (EU) membership, as all conscientious French people accept it. "

More: ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2004102013155)

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Turkey Joining EU 'Would Boost Terror Fight'

"Turkey Joining EU 'Would Boost Terror Fight'

By Andrew Woodcock, Political Correspondent, PA News


The admission of Turkey into the European Union would be as big a breakthrough in the battle against Islamist terrorism as the D-Day landings were in the war against Nazi tyranny, Germany�s Foreign Minister said today.

Allowing Turkey to join the EU would pave the way for modernisation and democracy to flourish in the Muslim world, said Joschka Fischer."

More: Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Turkey Joining EU 'Would Boost Terror Fight'

International news from swissinfo, the Swiss news platform

"Turkish Cypriot government resigns

NICOSIA (Reuters) - The Turkish Cypriot minority government has resigned, one day after abandoning months-long efforts to forge a new
coalition, officials say.

Veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash accepted the government's resignation, but Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat asked to
remain in office until a new caretaker administration can be formed, the officials said on Wednesday.

A general election is likely within 60 days, they said."

More: International news from swissinfo, the Swiss news platform

Turkish minister, in Berlin, rejects watering down goal of joining EU

"Turkish minister, in Berlin, rejects watering down goal of joining EU
CLAUDIA KEMMER, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, October 20, 2004

(10-20) 01:19 PDT BERLIN (AP) --
Turkey's foreign minister said that lowering the goal in talks with the European Union to anything less than full membership is 'unacceptable,' a rebuff aimed in part at Germany's conservative opposition.
Abdullah Gul made the remarks in a speech in Berlin Thursday, after talks with German opposition leader Angela Merkel. Here Christian Democratic party is calling for a vaguely defined partnership with Turkey that would stop short of EU membership."

More: Turkish minister, in Berlin, rejects watering down goal of joining EU

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

projo.com | Providence, R.I. | Opinion: Editorials

"Turkey and the E.U.

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, October 19, 2004

The European Commission has voted to recommend that negotiations begin to admit Turkey to the European Union.
This does not mean that Turkey is about to join the E.U. It means that the leaders of the 25 member nations, when they meet in December, will be called upon to accept or reject the commission's advice. Although there were dissenting voices when the commission recently assembled, the full E.U. is likely to endorse the commission's findings and extend an invitation to Turkey to begin talks."

More: projo.com | Providence, R.I. | Opinion: Editorials

The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - A glass half full as Turkey prepares for EU talks

"A glass half full as Turkey prepares for EU talks

By Philip Robins
Special to The Daily Star
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Turkey edged closer to its strategic goal of membership in the European Union with the long awaited report of the European Commission two weeks ago. The commission recommended that the EU start accession negotiations with Turkey, albeit under certain conditions. Attention now switches to the European summit on Dec. 17 to see if this cautiously positive view of the EU's bureaucracy is endorsed by its altogether flightier politicians."

More: The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - A glass half full as Turkey prepares for EU talks

Monday, October 18, 2004

The Manila Times Internet Edition | OPINION > Greece's Lady of Ro still looks to Turkey

"Greece's Lady of Ro still looks to Turkey
By Brian Williams, Reuters
KASTELLORIZO ISLAND, Greece Maybe even the Lady of Ro would back the EU Commission's recommendation for Muslim Turkey to start talks on joining Christian Europe.
There are certainly no doubts of Turkey's worthiness among the 220 residents who revere the Lady of Ro's memory on this often-tragic rocky Greek outcrop of Kastellorizo, a stone's throw from Turkey's southern coastline"

More: The Manila Times Internet Edition | OPINION > Greece's Lady of Ro still looks to Turkey:

Reporters sans fronti�res - Turkey

Reporters sans fronti�res - Turkey: "Questions raised about press freedom in Turkey on eve of Erdogan visit to France

Reporters Without Borders has drawn attention to the continuing problems for press freedom in Turkey on the eve of a visit to Paris by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 20 October.
'The undeniable legislative progress achieved in Turkey must not to mask the fact that it is still very difficult for the most critical journalists to function,' the organisation said. "

ekathimerini.com | FM: Greece united on Turkish entry

FM: Greece united on Turkish entry
Cyprus wants Ankara pledge
Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis argued there was a national consensus in Greece favoring the entry of Turkey into the EU while his Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou said Cyprus would definitely not veto Turkey's accession talks if it made certain guarantees, in two interviews published yesterday."

More: ekathimerini.com | FM: Greece united on Turkish entry: "

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Turkey in a tough spot : HindustanTimes.com/UK: News for UK Asians

Turkey in a tough spot
Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta
London, October 15

Last week, we had the edifying view of how the European Commission recommended that negotiations be started with a view to include Turkey within the European Community of Nations and we talked about how Turkey and Europe had a rather edgy relationship over the centuries, which could make it a difficult marriage indeed. Be that as it may, Turkey positions itself as the stepping stone between Europe and Asia as well as between Christianity and Islam. In this column, we look at how Turkey's relationship has been with Asia and Islam and find that it has been almost as stormy as the European one.
Turkey in a tough spot : HindustanTimes.com/UK: News for UK Asians

Turkey's EU bid devalues island - The Washington Times: World - October 15, 2004

"Turkey's EU bid devalues island


By Andrew Borowiec
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

NICOSIA, Cyprus � The Greek-Cypriot government is facing a quandary caused by the European Union's acceptance of Turkey's candidacy � a diminishing international interest in what has become known as the Cyprus problem. "

More: Turkey's EU bid devalues island - The Washington Times: World - October 15, 2004

Expatica � Living in, moving to, or working in Germany, plus German news in English

"Conservatives divided over Turkey strategy

15 October 2004

BERLIN - A split in Germany's conservative opposition worsened Friday with one party dropping plans for a mass petition aimed at keeping Turkey out of the European Union but its Bavarian sister party keeping the option open.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) confirmed it was reversing its position and scrapping the controversial petition plan amid fears it would fuel racism aimed at Germany's 2.5 million resident Turks. "
More: Expatica � Living in, moving to, or working in Germany, plus German news in English:

EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight - Turkish Media Gives Mixed Reaction to EU Accession Report

TURKISH MEDIA GIVES MIXED REACTION TO EU ACCESSION REPORT Mevlut Katik 10/15/04
"In the wake of a European Commission report on Turkey�s EU accession drive, debate is sharpening in some member states on the impact of blending a secular Islamic state into the mainly Christian fabric of the organization. In Turkey, meanwhile, reaction to the report has been mixed."
More: EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight - Turkish Media Gives Mixed Reaction to EU Accession Report

Can Turkey bridge East-West gap? - Editorial - www.smh.com.au

The relationship between the West and Islam has recently been seen through a blood-smeared lens. Atrocities by Islamic extremists, retaliatory US-led onslaughts on Afghanistan and Iraq, the endless Arab-Israeli conflict and rhetorical excesses on all sides have reinforced the notion the world is doomed to witness a disastrous clash of civilisations. So it is encouraging that a positive, potentially momentous, adventure in reconciliation may soon be launched by the descendants of those who, centuries ago, endured the long struggle between the Ottoman Empire and Christian Europe. Earlier this month, about 40 years after Turkey first mooted the idea, the European Commission recommended opening negotiations for Turkey's entry into the European Union."

More:Can Turkey bridge East-West gap? - Editorial - www.smh.com.au: "Can Turkey bridge East-West gap?
October 18, 2004

EU Business - Turkey counts on German support to overcome French objections

17 October 2004

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Sunday praised Germany as a staunch supporter of Turkey's efforts to join the European Union and expressed confidence that Berlin would help in overcoming French objections to his country's accession bid. "

More: EU Business - Turkey counts on German support to overcome French objections: "Turkey counts on German support to overcome French objections

EU Business - Cyprus lists conditions for Turkey's EU bid

17 October 2004

Cyprus will back the opening of European Union accession talks with Turkey if Ankara makes several gestures to the Greek Cypriot government which it does not recognize, Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou said in a newspaper interview published here on Sunday. "

More: EU Business - Cyprus lists conditions for Turkey's EU bid: "Cyprus lists conditions for Turkey's EU bid

Business Report - Turkey won't prosper without sound policies, regardless of EU membership

Turkey won't prosper without sound policies, regardless of EU membership
October 17, 2004

The issue of Turkish membership in the EU has always been reminiscent of Mark Twain's quip on the climate: "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."

There's been a lot of talk about Turkish accession, but little action. And maybe there are good reasons for that. In reality, what Turkey needs is sound economic policies, instead of EU membership.

Last week, Turkey won approval from the European Commission to start talks on joining the EU. "It is a qualified yes," says Romano Prodi, the commission's president.

Does that mean it's time to start reviewing Turkish assets? If the country is going to join the EU, shouldn't you be piling into Turkish stocks and bonds? And tucking a few Turkish liras away for the day they can be swapped into solid euros?

More: Business Report - Turkey won't prosper without sound policies, regardless of EU membership

Friday, October 15, 2004

The Globalist | Global Politics -- Turkey Ante Portas

Turkey Ante Portas

By Franz Fischler | Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Should Turkey join the EU? That is the subject of a major debate within Europe — and around the world. Franz Fischler, one of the European Commissioners, is concerned that this debate is not focused on the really important issues. In this Globalist Interview, he lays out his reasons for caution with regard to Turkish EU membership.

More: The Globalist | Global Politics -- Turkey Ante Portas