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Saturday, December 31, 2005

Financial Mirror-Turks arrest Cyprus Euro MP Matsakis

"Turks arrest Cyprus Euro MP Matsakis

Turkish occupation forces arrested a Greek Cypriot member of the European Parliament Saturday, who had approached a checkpoint with a Polish colleague to send gifts to Turkish Cypriot politicians.

Euro MP Marios Matsakis was arrested at the Ledra Palace checkpoint, the only pedestrian crossing for Greek and Turkish Cypriots who have lived in division since Turkey the north in 1974, for taking down a Turkish flag from an unmanned military outpost near Lourounjina two months ago.

This sparked the furore of the Turkish forces who have maintained a 35,000-strong garrison in the north and control the Turkish Cypriot civilian administration."

More:Financial Mirror-Turks arrest Cyprus Euro MP Matsakis

Turkey – knocking at Europe’s door? - CAUCAZ.COM

"Turkey – knocking at Europe’s door?
Article published in 31/12/2005 Issue


By Mouna MEJRI in Paris

Translated by Victoria BRYAN

Although the European Commission decided on 3 October to open accession negotiations with Turkey, debate on whether Turkey should be integrated into the EU remains fierce. The Turkish ‘stubbornness’ to integrate into Europe has met with strong reluctance, mainly based on ‘cultural’ questions which often come back to ‘remembrances’ from collective memory (1)."

More:Turkey – knocking at Europe’s door? - CAUCAZ.COM

Telegraph | News | Germans to put Muslims through loyalty test

"Germans to put Muslims through loyalty test
By Kate Connolly in Berlin
(Filed: 31/12/2005)

Muslims intent on becoming German citizens will have to undergo a rigorous cultural test to gauge their views on subjects ranging from bigamy to homosexuality.

Believed to be the first test of its kind in Europe, the southern state of Baden-Württemberg has created the two-hour oral exam to test the loyalty of Muslims towards Germany."

More:Telegraph | News | Germans to put Muslims through loyalty test

Turkish Daily News - Woody Allen hits the stage in Istanbul - Dec 31, 2005

"Woody Allen hits the stage in Istanbul
Saturday, December 31, 2005

ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News

After having toured Milan, Barcelona and Brighton, world-renowned American film director, playwright and actor Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band came to Turkey for the first time for a concert held in Istanbul on Thursday."

More:Turkish Daily News - Woody Allen hits the stage in Istanbul - Dec 31, 2005

Turkish Daily News - Turkish Cypriot leader renews offer to return Varosha - Dec 31, 2005

"Turkish Cypriot leader renews offer to return Varosha
Saturday, December 31, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat said he would hand over an uninhabited coastal resort to the Greek Cypriots if a decades-old ban on ports and airports in the north of this war-divided island was lifted."

More:Turkish Daily News - Turkish Cypriot leader renews offer to return Varosha - Dec 31, 2005

Turkish Daily News - 2005: Turkey-EU year - Dec 31, 2005

"2005: Turkey-EU year
Saturday, December 31, 2005

Yusuf KANLI

The landmark start of EU accession talks -- though we are still in the screening stage and will hopefully start opening the negotiations' chapters sometime in 2006 -- was, without any doubt, the top event in Turkey last year."

More:Turkish Daily News - 2005: Turkey-EU year - Dec 31, 2005

Focus English News-Old Turkish Lira to be Withdrawn from Circulation as of Jan.1, 2006

"Old Turkish Lira to be Withdrawn from Circulation as of Jan.1, 2006

Ankara. The old Turkish Lira (TL) banknotes and coins will be withdrawn from circulation as of January 1st, 2006 as the New Turkish Lira (YTL) banknotes and coins will replace them, Anadolu Agency reported. "

More:Focus English News

New Year's Day in Turkey - TOPICS Online Magazine

New Year's Day in Turkey - TOPICS Online Magazine

In Turkey, we celebrate the New Year on December 31st. Many people celebrate by having a special New Year's dinner with their close family members and/or friends. The traditional food is generally turkey. Although some families prefer to decorate with a New Year's pine, the general attitude is not to decorate anything special.

The last day of December there are many special entertainment programs on TV. Each TV channel tries to present the best program for New Year's Eve. This Turkish celebration starts early in the evening and lasts till early morning. That night all places are full, and you have to make a reservation a long time before that night if you want to celebrate it out of home.

Beliefnet.com: How do Muslims view Sex?

Beliefnet.com

How do Muslims view Sex

As it turns out, human reproduction accomplished by what moral theologians sometimes call "genital expression" is not limited to any race, creed, or ethnicity. Only occupants of well-heeled think tanks are believed to be exceptions. Otherwise, anthropologists and missionaries report finding that big people are playing with tiny versions of themselves everywhere they go. And there's no shortage of little Muslims. It's sex all right, no two ways about it. There's only one way we know of, short of still uncommon technological means such as artificial insemination, that will get the job done on a large scale. Sex, sex, and more sex. Some out there may think Muslims don't approve of sex because champagne toasts (or any alcohol) before or after anything at all is banned in Islam. Doesn't matter. Conjugal acts are GOOD. Carnal relations (now we're getting risque) enjoy a wholesome reputation within Islam. Sex is seen as a means by which husband and wife complete each other and have fun. Yes, have fun. Muslim teaching doesn't simply put up with sex as the necessary means of keeping the local schools filled. It considers sex pure pleasure. It's a Divine Mercy, completely condoned, eroticism and all. Contraceptives are also accepted by mutual consent. A big advantage over the Catholics and fundamentalist Christians who don't.

Friday, December 30, 2005

The Anatolia Times-Virtual Memorial For Victims Of Massacres Committed By Armenians

"Virtual Memorial For Victims Of Massacres Committed By Armenians
ANKARA - A ''virtual memorial'' has been formed on the internet for more than one million victims of massacres committed by Armenians, it was reported on Friday.

The internet site has been prepared in English, French and Spanish and it says that ''From eastern Anatolia (1914-1922) to Azerbaijan (1988-1994), massive slaughters perpetrated by Armenians caused more than one million dead. We rise this Virtual Memorial in the memory of the graveless and forgotten victims of those denied genocides. This Memorial is also dedicated to all the victims of Armenian terrorism (1975-1985) that spilled the blood of innocent people in Europe and United-States of America.''

''Write your name and drop a flower to the memory of the forgotten victims. All together, let's break the silence... So memory can live!''

''http://memorial.imprescriptible.us/index.php'' is the address of the internet site."

More:The Anatolia Times

Obstacles and Optimism as Turkey Embarks on EU Accession Talks

"Obstacles and Optimism as Turkey Embarks on EU Accession Talks
By Jon Gorvett

For many Turks this year, Ramadan started in a more celebratory mood than usual, as news came that European Union accession talks finally had begun—46 years after Turkey first applied.

“Thanks be to God,” Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said as he boarded the plane to Luxembourg to meet his 25 waiting EU opposite numbers, anxious to start accession talks with Turkey before a midnight Oct. 3 deadline. The next day, at dusk, the Ramadan fast began."

More:Obstacles and Optimism as Turkey Embarks on EU Accession Talks

Austria “Wants to Keep Muslim Countries Out of EU,” According to German Paper

"Austria “Wants to Keep Muslim Countries Out of EU,” According to German Paper
By Lucy Jones

FOLLOWING four decades of negotiations, Turkey officially began membership talks with the European Union on Oct. 4, after Austria dropped a demand that Ankara be offered an option short of full membership. Observers said Austria changed its stance in return for the launch of EU accession discussions with Croatia."

More:Austria “Wants to Keep Muslim Countries Out of EU,” According to German Paper

Turkish Daily News - Turkey's nuclear energy strategy up for debate, says economist - Dec 30, 2005

"Turkey's nuclear energy strategy up for debate, says economist
Friday, December 30, 2005
MICHAEL KUSER

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The best prospects for increasing Turkey's energy security in the near term lie in increasing oil and gas output from Middle East and North African producers, International Energy Agency (IEA) chief economist Dr. Fatih Birol told an energy seminar in Istanbul on Thursday."

More:Turkish Daily News - Turkey's nuclear energy strategy up for debate, says economist - Dec 30, 2005

Turkish Daily News - ‘Gov’t needs citizens walking alongside on EU path’ - Dec 30, 2005

"‘Gov’t needs citizens walking alongside on EU path’
Friday, December 30, 2005
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

Ümit Boyner, a member of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) board and head of a TÜSİAD commission waging a campaign to bolster Turkey's image among European Union countries, nowadays sounds more worried about the Turkish public's perception of the country's EU project than she is over the European public's prejudices on the same issue."

More:Turkish Daily News - ‘Gov’t needs citizens walking alongside on EU path’ - Dec 30, 2005

..:: ABHABER.COM -Oymen: Govt set to concede on Cyprus issue

"Oymen: Govt set to concede on Cyprus issue

CHP's deputy leader accuses AK Party govt of planning to give concessions to Greek Cypriots by opening Turkey's ports, harbors to Greek Cypriot planes and ships

Oymen also lashes out at PM Erdogan for defending himself for a 1993 photo where he's kneeling down in front of former Afghan PM Hikmetyar, who was then regarded a terrorist by US

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy leader Onur Oymen yesterday accused the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party government of preparing to make concessions on the Cyprus issue."

More:..:: ABHABER.COM ::..

Turkish Daily News - It is in everyone's interest for EU work to go smoothly - Dec 30, 2005

"It is in everyone's interest for EU work to go smoothly
Friday, December 30, 2005

If we add up all of the adverse factors we noted on Tuesday, it appears likely that 2006 will be a wasted year on EU preparations. Despite that, wasting 2006 will be in no one’s interest. "

More:Turkish Daily News - It is in everyone's interest for EU work to go smoothly - Dec 30, 2005

Why are we spinning our wheels?

"Why are we spinning our wheels?
Friday, December 30, 2005

Opinion by Haluk ŞAHİN

In the aftermath of the Orhan Pamuk trial debacle, I was talking to a group of students about the spate of freedom-of-expression cases in our country.

�Why are we spinning our wheels?� I asked them. �Even the Eastern European countries, despite being latecomers to democracy, seem to be doing much better in comparison. Why can't we stop prosecuting authors? Why do we want lock up our artists and journalists?�"

More:Turkish Daily News - Why are we spinning our wheels? - Dec 30, 2005

Turkish court overturns fine for cartoon

"Turkish court overturns fine for cartoon

By SUZAN FRASER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
photo
This image issued Friday Dec. 30, 2005, by the Turkish newspaper Evrensel shows a cartoon by Sefer Selvi, which was published in Evrensel on Apr. 5, 2004. The cartoon depicts Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a horse ridden by Cuneyd Zapsu, one of his advisers. Erdogan sued the paper saying it was offensive. An appeals court in Ankara has ruled that the cartoon did not violate the premier's rights and overturned a fine levied against the paper, Sahin Bayar, a manager at Evrensel said. (AP Photo/Sefer Selvi, Evrensel/ho)

ANKARA, Turkey -- A caricature depicting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a horse being ridden by one of his advisers did not violate the leader's rights, an appeals court has ruled, overturning a fine levied against the newspaper that published the cartoon, the newspaper said Friday."

More:Turkish court overturns fine for cartoon

Arab Press Views of Turkey’s EU Accession

"Arab Press Views of Turkey’s EU Accession
By Ghaith al-Faqih
December 30, 2005

When the European Union (EU) initiated accession talks with Turkey in October, some Western commentators suggested that a major underlying issue is the relationship between the West and the Muslim world. How is this issue viewed in the Arab press, and what significance is seen for the relationship between Europe and Arab nations? The following is a collection of statements about Turkey’s EU accession from the Arab press."

More:

TURKEY: FOCUS - ALEVIS RAISE THEIR VOICE

"TURKEY: FOCUS - ALEVIS RAISE THEIR VOICE

Istanbul, 30 Dec. (AKI) - The Alevis, one of Turkey's main religious communities, have spoken out against discrimination in the Turkish educational system. The Alevi Foundation has filed a lawsuit against Turkey's education ministry at an Ankara court challenging the ministry's failure to cover Alevi beliefs in school textbooks. The Foundation, representing many of Turkey’s Alevi communities contends the ministry broke its promise by failing to make approved changes to religious textbooks for the 2005-2006 school year to correct what they allege is pro-Sunni bias."

More:TURKEY: FOCUS - ALEVIS RAISE THEIR VOICE

Hürriyet-'None of EU member countries will suspend negotiations with Turkey because of Cyprus

"'None of EU member countries will suspend negotiations with Turkey because of Cyprus

“None of the European Union (EU) member countries will and can't suspend negotiations with Turkey because of Cyprus,” said Professor Huseyin Bagci, a lecturer from the Middle East Technical University (METU) Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations."

Hürriyet

Thursday, December 29, 2005

EU accession hopes may force Turkey to change law

"EU accession hopes may force Turkey to change law
By George Parker in Brussels
Published: December 29 2005 18:59 | Last updated: December 29 2005 18:59

EU conventionTurkey may have to change a controversial law which makes it an offence to insult “Turkishness”, its foreign minister said, amid growing European Union concern about its impact on freedom of speech.

Abdullah Gul told NTV television: “There may need to be a new law. As a government we’re watching closely how the existing laws are being implemented.”"

More:FT.com / World - EU accession hopes may force Turkey to change law

Moving not new to Meskhetian Turks

"Moving not new to Meskhetian Turks

Thursday, December 29, 2005
By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The homeland of the Meskhetian Turks is in the Georgian region of Russia, near the Turkish border, according to an information sheet provided by Women in Ministry of the Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church and John Miller, of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh."

More:Moving not new to Meskhetian Turks

Parliament Approves Bill On Purchase Of Property By Foreigners

Parliament Approves Bill On Purchase Of Property By Foreigners
Published: 12/29/2005

ANKARA - Turkish Parliamentary General Assembly approved the bill on purchase of property by foreigners late on Wednesday.

More:Parliament Approves Bill On Purchase Of Property By Foreigners

TMCNet: Turkey: Country outlook

TMCNetTurkey: Country outlook

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

OVERVIEW: The Economist Intelligence Unit believes that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, led by the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will stay in power until the next election is due in late 2007. EU accession negotiations, which were officially opened on October 3rd, will not be easy. Despite some slippages and delays, we expect that Turkey will adhere in broad terms to the three-year IMF stand-by agreement signed in May 2005, which envisages, among other things, continued tight fiscal policy, state-bank restructuring, and privatisation. In 2006 we expect a fall in the value of the Turkish lira to lead to slightly higher inflation and GDP growth of about 3.5%, down from about 5% in 2005. A pick-up in domestic demand and strong exports should result in higher growth in 2007. The predicted slowdown in 2006 should help to reduce the current-account deficit from about 6.5% of GDP in 2005 to a more sustainable 3-3.5% in 2006-07.

Domestic politics: We expect the AKP government, led by Mr Erdogan, to remain in power up to and beyond the next general election due in November 2007. Despite several defections, mainly in the first half of 2005, the AKP still has a large majority with almost two-thirds of the 550 seats in parliament, and Mr Erdogan retains substantial public support.

Gulf Times Newspaper - Intellectuals urge Turkey to broaden freedom of speech

"Intellectuals urge Turkey to broaden freedom of speech
Published: Thursday, 29 December, 2005, 09:19 AM Doha Time
ISTANBUL: Dozens of leading Turkish writers, artists, journalists and academics urged the government on Monday to scrap laws limiting freedom of speech that have led to court cases against prominent figures, including Turkey’s best-known novelist Orhan Pamuk.
The declaration, signed by 169 intellectuals, said that Pamuk’s trial, seen by the European Union as a test for Turkey’s respect for freedom of expression, was “a grave interference in our country’s democratisation process”, Anatolia news agency reported."

More:Gulf Times Newspaper - Qatar, Gulf and World News - Europe/World

JTW News - Rice Visit to Turkey

"Rice Visit to Turkey
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will visit Ankara after a year long interval, in late January or early February. The talks will be continued in the context of the developments in Iraq and the assets of the terrorist organization PKK in the Northern Iraq. The USA’s strategies against the Syria and Iran will also take part in the agenda."

More:JTW News - Rice Visit to Turkey

Next Year Our Relations With E.U. Might Be Frozen

"Next Year Our Relations With E.U. Might Be Frozen

BY SEMIH IDIZ

MILLIYET- There are obviously certain factors signaling a rough road ahead between Turkey and the European Union in 2006. The first is the Cyprus issue and the second is certain shortcomings in the implementation of EU reforms. At this point, the problem of freedom of expression comes to the foreground. Let’s first consider the Cyprus issue. When Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that we wouldn’t open our harbors to Greek Cypriots, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou said that if Turkey continues this attitude, it would shortly cause a crisis in the EU."

More:Next Year Our Relations With E.U. Might Be Frozen

Turkish FM: Article 301 Cases Like the Film 'Midnight Express'

"Turkish FM: Article 301 Cases Like the Film 'Midnight Express'
By Zaman, Istanbul
Published: Thursday, December 29, 2005
zaman.com

The legal actions filed on the grounds of the Turkish Criminal Code’s Article 301 are similar to the movie “Midnight Express” in terms how they harm Turkey’s national image, said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul."

More:Turkish FM: Article 301 Cases Like the Film 'Midnight Express'

BBC NEWS | Europe | Turkish press attacks insult law

"Turkish press attacks insult law
Turkish press

Many Turkish papers are strongly critical of a law against insulting the state and raise concerns about the ongoing trial of prominent novelist Orhan Pamuk.

Some papers regret that the law - Article 301 of the penal code - might also lead to charges against Dutch Member of the European Parliament Joost Lagendijk saying that it might damage Turkey's international image and dash its EU membership hopes."

More:BBC NEWS | Europe | Turkish press attacks insult law

Turning Turkey: The Kurdish Gambit

"Turning Turkey: The Kurdish Gambit

PEJ News - C. L. Cook - Turkey is in the vice; caught between compromises required to gain Western favour and their perceived need to maintain territory bitterly contested with Kurdish sovereigntists, last week's revelations warning Turkey to prepare for imminent U.S. air-strikes against Iran and Syria, reportedly uttered by C.I.A. chief Porter Goss, only tightens the screw. "

More:Turning Turkey: The Kurdish Gambit :: PEJ News :: Stories, Features, Opinion and Analysis :: Peace, Earth & Justice News

Muslim Women in Europe Claim Rights and Keep Faith - New York Times

"Muslim Women in Europe Claim Rights and Keep Faith

By MARLISE SIMONS
Published: December 29, 2005

PARIS, Dec. 28 - Hanife Karakus, the soft-spoken daughter of Turkish immigrants, is a thoroughly European Muslim. She covers her hair with a scarf, but she also has a law degree and married the man of her choice. Matchmakers exerted no pressure. The couple met on the Internet."

More:Muslim Women in Europe Claim Rights and Keep Faith - New York Times

Bloomberg.com: Europe-EU May Slow Entry Bids of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey in 2006

"EU May Slow Entry Bids of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey in 2006

Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- The European Union next year may delay the entry of Bulgaria and Romania and slow membership talks with Turkey, bowing to opposition to poor countries joining the world's largest trading bloc."

More:Bloomberg.com: Europe-EU May Slow Entry Bids of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey in 2006

|| RedState.org-What Turkey can teach us about Iraq

"What Turkey can teach us about Iraq
By: AaronVB · Section: Diaries

From the Diaries...

'A tidy mind may not appreciate Turkey's contradictions.' So says Mathew Kaminsky, writing about the culture in Turkey that is simultaneously moving towards European standards of human rights while trying prominent author Orhan Pamuk for remarks he made while outside the country questioning the official Turkish denial of the genocide of a million Armenians and some tens of thousands of Kurds. Yet, for all its oddities and paradoxes, Turkey is one of a kind, the only secular Islamic republic (excluding the experiments in Iraq and Afghanistan). As such, it presents us with an interesting perspective, a crystal ball you might say, on how the democracy in Iraq may evolve."

More:|| RedState.org-What Turkey can teach us about Iraq

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Turkey admits charges against author have tarnished its image

"Turkey admits charges against author have tarnished its image

Suzan Fraser in Ankara
Thursday December 29, 2005
The Guardian

Turkey's foreign minister acknowledged yesterday that charges brought against Orhan Pamuk, the country's best-known novelist, have tarnished Turkey's image, and said laws that limit freedom of expression may be changed."

More:Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Turkey admits charges against author have tarnished its image

Turkish Daily News - Ankara may force banks to erase credit card debt - Dec 29, 2005

"Ankara may force banks to erase credit card debt
Thursday, December 29, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The Turkish Parliament may pass legislation ordering the nation's banks to erase most of the interest accrued on overdue credit card debt as consumer defaults on cards increase, Bloomberg reported yesterday."

More:Turkish Daily News - Ankara may force banks to erase credit card debt - Dec 29, 2005

Hurriyet: Erdogan vows to lift obstacles over freedom of thought

Hirriyet

Erdogan vows to lift obstacles over freedom of thought

Speaking at a meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government was resolved to eliminate all obstacles hindering freedom of thought. The PM stated that Turkey had laid a milestone on its path to European Union membership. The government’s priority, the premier said, was to complete reforms and a structural transformation as part of the negotiation process, a necessity for any society with free thought and conscience, which is the basis of the EU.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

World News Article | Reuters.co.uk-Turkey says law may change after EU deputy probed

"Turkey says law may change after EU deputy probed
Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:19 PM GMT15

By Zerin Elci

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's foreign minister said on Wednesday it might be necessary to change a controversial law after nationalist lawyers used it to call for the prosecution of an EU lawmaker for criticising the Turkish military.

The lawyers accuse Joost Lagendijk, a Dutch member of the European Parliament, of insulting Turkey's armed forces by suggesting the military was provoking Kurdish rebels in south-east Turkey in order to boost its influence.

The group has already embarrassed the government by launching prosecutions of novelist Orhan Pamuk and other writers under Article 301 of the penal code, which makes it an offence to insult 'Turkishness' or state institutions like the military."

More:World News Article | Reuters.co.uk

CNN.com - Muslims, sororities explore common ground - Dec 28, 2005

"Muslims, sororities explore common ground

Wednesday, December 28, 2005; Posted: 10:22 a.m. EST (15:22 GMT)
SYRACUSE, New York (AP) -- Gozde Demir says sororities are the most American you can get. But at first, she knew nothing about them.

She was a freshman and a conservative Muslim from Turkey. As she walked to Syracuse University's international center, she noticed the Greek-lettered houses and asked in her then-heavy accent just what they were for."

More:CNN.com - Muslims, sororities explore common ground - Dec 28, 2005

FT.com / World / Europe - Companies aim to banish Turkey's poor reputation

"Companies aim to banish Turkey's poor reputation
By Vincent Bolandin Istanbul
Published: December 28 2005 02:00 | Last updated: December 28 2005 02:00

Oliver Stone may have apologised a year ago forhaving 'overdramatised' Midnight Express, the director's 1978 film about an American abused in a Turkish prison, but the violent imagery still haunts the world's view of Turkey and the portrayal continues to upset Turks.

If Umit Boyner gets her way, however, foreign perceptions could change."

More:FT.com / World / Europe - Companies aim to banish Turkey's poor reputation

Independent Online Edition > Europe-Customers help stamp out Turkey's sex slaves

"Customers help stamp out Turkey's sex slaves
By Meriel Beattie in Ankara
Published: 28 December 2005

An unlikely hero has emerged in Turkey to rescue victims of forced prostitution: the brothel customer.

While the country's security forces are hardly renowned for their attention to human rights or sympathetic treatment of women, they have been chalking up impressive successes in finding and freeing trafficked women from brothels."

More:Independent Online Edition > Europe-Customers help stamp out Turkey's sex slaves

Art exhibit a joint effort of two cultures

"Art exhibit a joint effort of two cultures

By Suzanna Mahler

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Get a glimpse of Jewish fashion from 17th century Turkey.

An art exhibit, featuring costumes worn by Jewish men and women on different occasions, is on display in the Crest Theatre at Old School Square.

'By experiencing this, people will understand a few things,' Vural Cengiz, president of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, said. 'Through paintings, people will see pictures of beautiful clothing that represents a rich side of Jewish culture. They'll see how Jews and Turks lived in good friendship. And finally, they will learn about Jewish heritage.'"

More:Art exhibit a joint effort of two cultures

Turkish Radio-TV Board Approves Kurdish Broadcasting

"Turkish Radio-TV Board Approves Kurdish Broadcasting
By Zaman, Ankara
Published: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
zaman.com

Members of Turkey's Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) ruled on a regulation in a Tuesday meeting to allow Kurdish and other dialects to be broadcast on radio and television stations; no modifications were made to the regulation."

More:Turkish Radio-TV Board Approves Kurdish Broadcasting

Focus English News-Europe’s Definition Challenged

"Europe’s Definition Challenged

28 December 2005 | 09:52 | International Herald Tribune

Turkey's chance to get a date to start accession negotiations with the European Union at the EU Summit on Dec. 17 seems likelier than ever. The European Commission report on Oct. 6 has boosted Turkish optimism. "

More:Focus English News

EUobserver.com-Turkish ban on Cypriot-flagged ships stirs new trouble

"Turkish ban on Cypriot-flagged ships stirs new trouble
28.12.2005 - 09:59 CET | By Lisbeth Kirk

Turkey will not open its ports and airports to Cypriot-flagged ships and aircraft, the Turkish government has confirmed making an escalation of already tense relations between Ankara and the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government of the south of the island likely.

The move is also likely to spell trouble for Turkey's EU membership talks."

More:EUobserver.com-Turkish ban on Cypriot-flagged ships stirs new trouble

Turkish Daily News - Turks’ confidence in EU fading away, says poll

"Turks’ confidence in EU fading away, says poll
Wednesday, December 28, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

Turks' confidence in the European Union is fading as result of certain developments, including the high-profile trial of Turkey's best-selling novelist Orhan Pamuk, the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) problem and an incident involving Roj TV, all of which impacted Turkey's relations with the 25-nation bloc, according to a recent poll conducted by the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK)."

More:Turkish Daily News - Turks’ confidence in EU fading away, says poll

Turkey on collision course with EU, says Cyprus

Turkey on collision course with EU, says Cyprus

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus warned on Tuesday that Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to the island would place it on a collision course with the EU in 2006. Diplomats fear Turkey's EU entry talks may hit a crisis next year over Cyprus, represented in the bloc by a Greek Cypriot government not recognised by Ankara. In comments sure to rile the Greek Cypriots, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener told Reuters over the weekend that Ankara would not make any unilateral moves to open its ports to Cypriot-flagged vessels.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

New DVD's - New York Times-The Deathless Devil /Tarkan Versus the Vikings

""The Deathless Devil
Tarkan Versus the Vikings

The 70's were no less extravagant in Turkey, as one learns from the excellent double-feature disc from Mondo Macabro that unites 'The Deathless Devil' (Yilmaz Atadeniz, 1972) with 'Tarkan Versus the Vikings' (Mehmet Aslan, 1971), two delirious examples of Turkish popular cinema that prospered from the mid-60's until 'Star Wars,' with its unapproachable technical sophistication, put an end to local pop entertainments in Turkey as it did in so many other countries. Lifting themes from Turkish comic books, local folk tales and American serials of the 40's, these films offered fever-dream hallucinations of sex, violence and bumptious slapstick, aimed at a rural audience in the years before the Islamic revival."

The 70's were no less extravagant in Turkey, as one learns from the excellent double-feature disc from Mondo Macabro that unites 'The Deathless Devil' (Yilmaz Atadeniz, 1972) with 'Tarkan Versus the Vikings' (Mehmet Aslan, 1971), two delirious examples of Turkish popular cinema that prospered from the mid-60's until 'Star Wars,' with its unapproachable technical sophistication, put an end to local pop entertainments in Turkey as it did in so many other countries. Lifting themes from Turkish comic books, local folk tales and American serials of the 40's, these films offered fever-dream hallucinations of sex, violence and bumptious slapstick, aimed at a rural audience in the years before the Islamic revival."

More:New DVD's - New York Times

World Peace Herald: Turk in Guantanamo pleads his case

World Peace Herald

Turk in Guantanamo pleads his case

KEHL AM RHEIN, Germany -- "On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food, or water. Most times they had urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. ... On another occasion, the A/C had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room probably well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his own hair out throughout the night."

Welcome to the hell of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where Murat Kurnaz, a Turkish national born and raised in the northern German city of Bremen, has been locked away without charges for the last four years.

The above account from an unnamed FBI official is included in a Jan. 31, 2005, verdict by Federal District Court Judge Joyce Hens Green, who concluded that the detention of Kurnaz -- classified an "enemy combatant" by a U.S. military tribunal -- was simply wrong. Green argued Kurnaz's imprisonment at Guantánamo was based on flimsy evidence and an unfair trial. The U.S. government appealed Green's decision.

The case is set to keep Washington, Berlin and Ankara on their feet, as Kurnaz's two lawyers are determined to do anything to free him or at least get him tried before a civilian court.

Boca Raton News - The Leader in Local News Online

"History, culture of Moslems and Jews on display at Crest Theater

Published Tuesday, December 27, 2005

The history, culture and traditions celebrating centuries of Moslems and Jews living together is the focus of an exhibit of paintings of Jewish costumes during the Ottoman Empire running through Jan. 10 at the Crest Theater Galleries, Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.

Created by Turkish curator Silvyo Ovadya, the show illustrates the relationship that came from the Ottoman Empire, which served as a safe haven for Jews escaping European persecution during the 17th century. "

More:Boca Raton News - The Leader in Local News Online

Turks have Paradoxical Opinions About America

"Turks have Paradoxical Opinions About America
By Suleyman Kurt, Ankara
Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2005
zaman.com

Turkish people have paradoxical opinions about the United States, revealed in a questionnaire prepared by the International Strategic Research Center (ISRC).

According to the questionnaire, the US is in first place at 29.8 percent among those countries threatening Turkey's security. Twenty-two percent, however, pointed at the US, in response to the question “who will help Turkey the most if there is a problem.” Other countries seen to be threatening Turkey’s security are Israel with 13 percent and France with 11.4 percent, while the perceived threat emanating from Turkey's two neighbors, Greece and Armenia, was recorded at 7.4 and six percent, respectively."

More:Turks have Paradoxical Opinions About America

Institutional Investor-There's Money To Be Made In The EU Hopeful

"There's Money To Be Made In The EU Hopeful
Source: InstitutionalInvestor.com
Jonathan Shazar

Turkey won recognition in October by the European Union as a market economy, cementing its position as a financial system worth noting. Investors, it seems, already have.

Foreign direct investment inflows have more than quadrupled in the last three years, from an average of $1 billion per year between 1992 and 2002 to an estimated $4.6 billion this year, according to broker Alpha Finance. The number of Turkish firms boasting international investment is also up, by almost 50%, from 6,275 to 9,605."

More:Institutional Investor-There's Money To Be Made In The EU Hopeful

BBC NEWS | Europe | Euro MP faces Turkey insult probe

"Euro MP faces Turkey insult probe
Dutch MEP Joost Lagendijk
Lagendijk made his remarks during a press conference in Istanbul
Turkish prosecutors have launched an inquiry into whether an EU lawmaker should stand trial for insulting the country's armed forces.

Joost Lagendijk allegedly said that Turkish troops were provoking clashes with Kurdish separatists."

More:BBC NEWS | Europe | Euro MP faces Turkey insult probe

Turkish intellectuals urge government to scrap laws limiting freedom of expression (SETimes.com)

"Turkish intellectuals urge government to scrap laws limiting freedom of expression

27/12/2005

Dozens of prominent Turkish intellectuals urged the government Monday to rescind controversial laws that have enabled lawsuits against numerous journalists and writers, including Turkey's most famous novelist."

More:Turkish intellectuals urge government to scrap laws limiting freedom of expression (SETimes.com)

Turkish Daily News - EU to grant almost 1 million euros for tourism in Southeast

"EU to grant almost 1 million euros for tourism in Southeast
Tuesday, December 27, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The European Union has taken the initiative to revive tourism in Turkey's Southeast with an almost 1 million euro financial assistance package for two projects launched by the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO), private NTV's Web site reported yesterday."

More:Turkish Daily News - EU to grant almost 1 million euros for tourism in Southeast

Turkish Daily News - Turkey's think tank scene

"Turkey's think tank scene
Tuesday, December 27, 2005

The think tank sector is a rather new phenomenon in Turkey. Think tanks in the foreign policy area are even more recent. Although there were some examples of think tanks such as the Foreign Policy Institute and the Marmara Foundation prior to 2000, the Turkish think tank scene really began to be taken into consideration with the foundation of the Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies in 2000. "

More:Turkish Daily News - Turkey's think tank scene

Turkey on collision course with EU, says Cyprus

"Turkey on collision course with EU, says Cyprus
By Michele Kambas

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus warned on Tuesday that Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to the island would place it on a collision course with the EU in 2006.

Diplomats fear Turkey's EU entry talks may hit a crisis next year over Cyprus, represented in the bloc by a Greek Cypriot government not recognised by Ankara. "

More:Turkey on collision course with EU, says Cyprus

Guardian Unlimited | Columnists | The Turks haven't learned the British way of denying past atrocities

"The Turks haven't learned the British way of denying past atrocities

It is not illegal to discuss the millions who were killed under our empire. So why do so few people know about them?"

More:Guardian Unlimited | Columnists | The Turks haven't learned the British way of denying past atrocities

Arab Monitor - Turkey denies deal with US regarding air strikes against Iran

"Turkey denies deal with US regarding air strikes against Iran

Ankara, 26 December - Turkeys Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul dismissed reports about an alleged US offer to permit Turkey to take out PKK bases in Iran in exchange for Turkeys support of US military strikes against Iran. The reports had been circulated earlier by German medias referring to CIA director Peter Goss' visit to Ankara in search for Turkeys support for US air strikes, as well as to an earlier visit regarding the same issue from FBI director Robert Mueller."

More:Arab Monitor - Turkey denies deal with US regarding air strikes against Iran

ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER: Turkish Firms Among 'Top 100' in Islamic Countries

ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2005122627968)

Turkish Firms Among 'Top 100' in Islamic Countries

DinarStandard, a magazine keeping a close eye on the economic developments of the 57 member countries of the Organizations of the Islamic Conference, recently issued a list of the top 100 firms of 2005. Twenty-five Turkish companies top the list of best companies in the Islamic countries, according to the magazine, based in New Jersey, in the US. These Turkish firms are followed by 18 Malaysian and 15 Saudi Arabian companies.

Monday, December 26, 2005

Number Of Women Forced To Commit Suicide To Because Of Honor Crimes To Increase, Ozgokce

"Number Of Women Forced To Commit Suicide To Because Of Honor Crimes To Increase, Ozgokce

VAN - ''Since the penalty foreseen in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) increased, number of women forced to commit suicide (because of honor crimes) will rise,'' Zozan Ozgokce, the Chairwoman of Women Association in eastern city of Van stated on Saturday."

More:Number Of Women Forced To Commit Suicide To Because Of Honor Crimes To Increase, Ozgokce

Wilson: Turkey Is Europe's Fastest Growing Country

"Wilson: Turkey Is Europe's Fastest Growing Country
Published: 12/26/2005
ANKARA - The new United States Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson has indicated that it is impossible not to be impressed by the economic growth in Turkey. Turkey is Europe's fastest growing country and one of the world's foremost developing markets, said Wilson."

More:Wilson: Turkey Is Europe's Fastest Growing Country

BakuTODAY.net - ATurkey Under Risk of Natural Disasters

"Turkey Under Risk of Natural Disasters

Cihan News Agency 26/12/2005 07:18

Turkey has been under the risk of several natural disasters, the survey of the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement showed. "

More:BakuTODAY.net - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Caspian news, links, maps etc.

Turkish Daily News - Top academic calls for more private sector involvement in R&D

"Top academic calls for more private sector involvement in R&D
Monday, December 26, 2005

İZMİR - Turkish Daily News

Inter-university Council Chairman and İzmir's Dokuz Eylül University Rector Professor Emin Alıcı said Turkish research and development (R&D) efforts needed more private sector involvement, because if Turkey didn't produce better products it would be destined for economic ruin."

More:Turkish Daily News - Top academic calls for more private sector involvement in R&D

EU Aid to Boost Tourism in SE Turkey

"EU Aid to Boost Tourism in SE Turkey
By Anadolu News Agency (aa), Gazıantep
Published: Monday, December 26, 2005
zaman.com

The European Commission will provide about a million euros financial support to a tourism project Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce has introduced.

The potential tourism in Southeastern Anatolia will therefore be put into action."

More:EU Aid to Boost Tourism in SE Turkey

The New Anatolian-AK Party Ankara Deputy Mustafa Said Yazicioglu comments on hot-button issues:

"AK Party Ankara Deputy Mustafa Said Yazicioglu comments on hot-button issues:

�Restricting alcohol would be a serious mistake�

�The Heybeliada seminary has to be opened�

�Islam needs modern interpretations; women have to take a bigger role in that�

�The calls to prayer should be beautiful�"

More:The New Anatolian

TURKEY BRINGS ANOTHER CASE AGAINST AN ETHNIC ARMENIAN

"TURKEY BRINGS ANOTHER CASE AGAINST AN ETHNIC ARMENIAN

A Turkish court has opened a case against an Armenian-Turkish journalist for his comments on a six-month sentence it gave him earlier for denigrating Turkish identity, lawyers involved in bringing the case said Sunday. The Istanbul court was acting after a group of nationalist lawyers asked the court to file a case against Hrant Dink, editor in chief of the bilingual Turkish and Armenian weekly Agos, and three Agos journalists, saying that the journalists 'tried to influence the judiciary' through their editorials."

More:TURKEY BRINGS ANOTHER CASE AGAINST AN ETHNIC ARMENIAN

Voices from the Front: Mehmets Speak Out

"Voices from the Front: Mehmets Speak Out

It is very fortunate Mater's groundbreaking work has transgressed many linguistic boundaries and is now available for English-speaking world at another crucial juncture in the history of 'the Kurdish conflict' in Turkey, as well as of war and militarism. "

More:Voices from the Front: Mehmets Speak Out

The Australian: Turkish writer may face new charge [December 27, 2005]

"Turkish writer may face new charge

December 27, 2005

ANKARA: Best-selling Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk might face another court case for allegedly insulting the Turkish military in an interview with a German newspaper, his publishers said yesterday.

Pamuk is already on trial under article 301 of Turkey's revised penal code for telling a Swiss newspaper no one dared discuss the alleged massacre of a million Armenians 90 years ago and the deaths of 30,000 Kurds in the past two decades."

More:The Australian: Turkish writer may face new charge [December 27, 2005]

Turkish Gazete | Mahmut Esat Ozan-TURKS AND CAICOS IN THE BLUE ATLANTIS OF PIRI REIS

"TURKS AND CAICOS IN THE BLUE ATLANTIS OF PIRI REIS

In the December 17 issue of one of Istanbul’s largest newspapers there was a

News item which said that a Turk Cem Kinay who lives in Miami had bought an Island in the Caribbean.

The name given was Dellis Cay which is a part of the group of islands called “Turks and Caicos”.

Mister Kinay announced that he was going to spend one half a billion dollars and build a huge 300 villa resort conglomeration soon. I wish him good luck in his venture. Since I was in the TURKS and CAICOS ot so long ago I thought I would relate to the TURKISHGAZETE readers my past experiences there."

More:Turkish Gazete | Siyasi ve Aktuel Internet Gazetesi | Turkish Newspaper » News » » Mahmut Esat Ozan » “Anadolu Atesi” geliyor

Sunday, December 25, 2005

MetroWestDailyNews.com - Arts & Culture News: Painting at the end of the earth: Venetian painter Gentile Bellini’s journey to Istanbul created a bridg

"Painting at the end of the earth: Venetian painter Gentile Bellini’s journey to Istanbul created a bridge to the
By Chris Bergeron/ Daily News Staff
Sunday, December 25, 2005 - Updated: 01:22 AM EST

In 1479 artist Gentile Bellini traveled from his native Venice to Istanbul to serve as the court painter for an ambitious Ottoman sultan.
More than five centuries later, Bellini’s surviving work from his two-year residence in the court of Mehmed II have completed an equally remarkable journey to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
The resulting show, 'Gentile Bellini and the East,' delivers many of the surprises of the artist’s sojourn as an improbable conduit between thoroughly disparate cultures. "

More:MetroWestDailyNews.com - Arts & Culture News: Painting at the end of the earth: Venetian painter Gentile Bellini’s journey to Istanbul created a bridge to the

Turkish Daily News - Europeanization and its enemies

"Europeanization and its enemies
Sunday, December 25, 2005

Elif Şafak

�What's going on in Turkey?� numerous Westerners have been asking worriedly these past days. �Is the country moving away from the process of Europeanization?� �Where did all these court cases against voices of criticism come from all of a sudden?� �Is there an escalation in nationalist ideology?� they ask."

More:Turkish Daily News - Europeanization and its enemies

Turkish Daily News - Turkish-US ties

"Turkish-US ties
Sunday, December 25, 2005

Opinion by Barry Rubin
The story of Turkish-American relations is a most peculiar one. Here are two countries, close allies for a half-century, now somewhat estranged yet also still on pretty good terms. Things could be a lot better, but there are many complications. "

More:Turkish Daily News - Turkish-US ties

Hürriyet-‘Police officers and Imams need to be educated’

"‘Police officers and Imams need to be educated’

While the police say, “we’re not in charge of this matter, you can do what you like”, the imams preach to women that they “deserve to be beaten if you don’t do what your husband tells you”. The situation needs to change.

Anne Brigette Albrectsen, representative of The United Nations Population Fund, stated that the police and religious leaders do not do enough to prevent love-crimes. She said that “these civil servants, who have a great impact on society, should re-examine the advice they give and the wording they use”. The United Nations Population Fund report on love-crimes –which never seem to leave the Turkish agenda, reveals striking results. Albrectsen commented that ‘Some police officers, religious leaders and teachers give society the wrong messages when it comes to love-crimes’."

More:Hürriyet

Turkish Daily News - 'People trust women more'

"'People trust women more'
Sunday, December 25, 2005

İsmet Pasa’s granddaughter calls for quotas for women

KEMAL SAYDAMER

ANKARA - TDN Parliament Bureau

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy from Ankara Gülsün Bilgehan, who is the granddaughter of İsmet İnönü, Independence War commander and second president of the republic, is the voice of Turkish women in the European Council.

In a special interview given to the Turkish Daily News, Bilgehan talked about what Turkish women saw in domestic and foreign politics and how politics viewed women."

More:Turkish Daily News - 'People trust women more'

Turkish Daily News - The FBI and CIA in Ankara

"The FBI and CIA in Ankara
Sunday, December 25, 2005
YÜKSEL SÖYLEMEZ

First, FBI Director Robert Mueller on Dec. 10, then CIA director Porter Gross on Dec. 11 came to Ankara for their first ever visit to Turkey to fulfill their joint mission. Were they invited by their hosts? Or did they invite themselves as they felt at home with great ease? What was their mission in their encounters with their counterparts? Was it business as usual? Or something highly important because they were given non-protocol appointments as requested, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for an hour-long meeting, underlining the importance of their separate missions, or common mission."

More:Turkish Daily News - The FBI and CIA in Ankara

1915 Incidents Cannot Be Called Genocide

"1915 Incidents Cannot Be Called Genocide
By Suleyman Kurt
Published: Sunday, December 25, 2005
zaman.com

The reaction of French historians defending “Historians write history, not the politicians” continues. One of the important names of French Annales School, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, 86, along with Fernard Braduel, criticize the so-called Armenian genocide law approved by the French Parliament in 2001."

More:1915 Incidents Cannot Be Called Genocide

Chicago Tribune | Mosaic of Muslim migration beginning to reveal cracks

"Mosaic of Muslim migration beginning to reveal cracks
Troubles in Berlin neighborhood reflected across Europe as communities wrestle with an ill-defined notion: `How do we integrate?'

By Jeffrey Fleishman
Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times
Published December 25, 2005

BERLIN -- Gummi Bear candy marked the cultural divide between Annette Spieler and the inquisitive little girl.

Spieler, principal at the elementary school in the Wrangel neighborhood here, offers candy as a reward for good grades. One Muslim student asked if Gummi Bears were made with gelatin, an ingredient often derived from pigs. Spieler discovered that they were."

More:Chicago Tribune | Mosaic of Muslim migration beginning to reveal cracks

A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus

"A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus
By Simon Bahceli

ONE CAN be forgiven for believing that Famagusta port is derelict and deserted, having been closed down in the wake of the 1974 Turkish invasion. After all, it was only last May that President Tassos Papadopoulos declared, and not for the first time, that the port was “illegal” and therefore “no goods can be imported through it”.

It would be just as disingenuous to say the eastern port – which was once the prime gateway to the island – is booming; but it is a futile denial of fact to say that it is not working at all.

According to the north’s ‘economy ministry’, the amount of trade going through Famagusta (the north’s only industrial port) is on the rise, and not from so small a base as Papadopoulos would have us believe. In 2004, around $800 million worth of imports came through the port, a figure higher than any previous year. And 2005 has also broken all previous records with $654.5 million dollars worth coming through in the first seven months of the year alone. "

More:A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus

A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus

"A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus
By Simon Bahceli

ONE CAN be forgiven for believing that Famagusta port is derelict and deserted, having been closed down in the wake of the 1974 Turkish invasion. After all, it was only last May that President Tassos Papadopoulos declared, and not for the first time, that the port was “illegal” and therefore “no goods can be imported through it”.

It would be just as disingenuous to say the eastern port – which was once the prime gateway to the island – is booming; but it is a futile denial of fact to say that it is not working at all.

According to the north’s ‘economy ministry’, the amount of trade going through Famagusta (the north’s only industrial port) is on the rise, and not from so small a base as Papadopoulos would have us believe. In 2004, around $800 million worth of imports came through the port, a figure higher than any previous year. And 2005 has also broken all previous records with $654.5 million dollars worth coming through in the first seven months of the year alone. "

More:A forlorn gateway to the world for northern Cyprus

Muslim World's Top 100 Businesses Show Strong Growth In Sales

"...Saudi Aramco, the world's top oil producer, continues to lead the DS100™ as the largest business enterprise of the Muslim world with an estimated 36% rise in its revenues from the previous year. Overall, the energy sector dominates the top of the list with 8 of the top 10 being state-owned Integrated Oil & Gas companies. However, it is the diversified conglomerates that have the highest representation on the list (22 of the 100), with Turkish family owned conglomerates Koc Holding, Sabanci Holding, and Dogus Holding having the highest revenues.

The largest growth companies this year are part of the Orascom Group of Egypt with its publicly listed companies Orascom Telekom recording a 113% growth and Orascom Construction recording 98% revenue growth compared to previous year.

Turkish companies continue to lead the list with 25 represented enterprises, followed by 18 from Malaysia, 15 from Saudi Arabia, and 11 from Indonesia. Other countries represented include the UAE, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Bahrain, and Algeria."

More:Muslim World's Top 100 Businesses Show Strong Growth In Sales

Galling take on history highlights our weaknesses

"Galling take on history highlights our weaknesses

LAST WEDNESDAY marked the tragic anniversary of the breakout of intercommunal clashes in Cyprus in 1963. This year something unexpected happened. Over the past 40 odd years, on the Greek Cypriot side, there was almost no mention of the events of those days, at least not by the government, the pro-government press and the state television station.

To the official side, this was a taboo issue that needed to be kept under wraps. At the most, there used to be a brief and vague reference, where the events were described as “the Turkish insurgency,” the now popular term coined by the person who played a leading part in them – Archbishop Makarios.
"

More:Galling take on history highlights our weaknesses

Gulf Times Newspaper - Celebration time for Turkish kids

"Celebration time for Turkish kids
Published: Sunday, 25 December, 2005, 11:05 AM Doha Time

Staff Reporter

TURKISH children in Qatar were treated to a New Year party at the weekend. It was organised by the Turkish Women’s Association-Qatar. Some 50 children and their parents took part in the celebrations, a spokesperson for the women’s forum said."

More:Gulf Times Newspaper - Qatar, Gulf and World News - Qatar

German-Turkish mother fights to free her son

"German-Turkish mother fights to free her son
By Clive Freeman, Dec 25, 2005, 13:26 GMT

Berlin - For almost four years, Murat Kurnaz has been detained without trial by the United States government.

The German-born son of Turkish parents, 23-year-old Kurnaz lived in the family home in Bremen and worked as an apprentice at a shipyard before suddenly disappearing in October 2001."

More:German-Turkish mother fights to free her son

The Media Line - TURKEY PASSES FIRST STAGE OF EU ENTRY PROCESS

"TURKEY PASSES FIRST STAGE OF EU ENTRY PROCESS

Turkey has passed the first stage for acceptance into the European Union (EU), the Turkish news agency Cihan reported.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Gul said Turkey passed the inspection in science, research and education.
Accession talks began in October, and Turkey hopes to be a full EU member by 2015. "

More:The Media Line - News Detail

Hürriyet-Turkey in the year 2005

"Turkey in the year 2005
Dropping six zeros from the national currency, start of full membership negotiations with the EU, accusations against novelist Orhan Pamuk and the ensuing trial, resignation of Erkan Mumcu from the cabinet (he was a former minister of Culture) and his election to the leadership of the ANAVATAN Party, election of M. Ali Talat President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), nomination of a Turkish politician -Kemal Dervis- as UNDP administrator, successful privatization and low inflation rate in economy were landmark events of the year 2005, as far as Turkey is concerned. A summary of those events in politics, economics, sports, social life etc. recorded in Turkey during the year follows. Anadolu Agency tries to give an account of those events as extended as possible."

More:Hürriyet

Turkish Meatballs to Feed Russians

"Turkish Meatballs to Feed Russians
By Turhan Bozkurt
Published: Saturday, December 24, 2005
zaman.com

'Sultanahmet Meatball Place' opened its first branch abroad in Russian capital Moscow.

They have prepared menus with Turkish kitchen recipes for two months at Ramstore Shopping Center in Sevastopolsky district under the name of 'Bot-Tak' meaning 'very good and wonderful' in Russian."

More:Turkish Meatballs to Feed Russians

EU Reacts Against Insulting Caricatures: Sheer Foolishness!

"EU Reacts Against Insulting Caricatures: Sheer Foolishness!
By Hasan Cucuk
Published: Saturday, December 24, 2005
zaman.com

The European Union (EU) seriously reacted on Friday for the first time against a Danish newspaper’s publication of insulting caricatures of the Prophet, Mohammed."

More:EU Reacts Against Insulting Caricatures: Sheer Foolishness!

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Asia Times:Turkey's gift to the world

"Turkey's gift to the world
By K Gajendra Singh

If one drives from the Turkish city of Fethiye to Antalya, littered with hotels and resorts for millions of tourists who throng its Mediterranean coast, which was known as Lycia in ancient times, after passing innumerable ancient ruins, one reaches the town of Demre, known as Myra in olden days.

In the center of the town one will come across the Church of St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors and the poor and one of the most popular saints in Christianity now associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many legends have been woven around Nicholas, who was the bishop of this church in the 4th century AD and where he died in 342. He was born in about 280 AD in the town of Patara, which the traveler would have passed about 100 kilometers earlier. "

More:Asia Times

Dreams incubate in shopping mall carts - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

"Dreams incubate in shopping mall carts
Low-cost kiosks seen as springboards for immigrant entrepreneurs

Ertac Gungor stood near his kiosk in Tysons Corner Center, watching as a woman wearing a maroon headscarf thumbed through the pillowcases, copper earrings and scarves that fill his kiosk. 'Everything I sell is from Turkey,' he said."

More:Dreams incubate in shopping mall carts - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS

"FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS
By Haji Mike

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? The recent storm in a teacup over Cherie Blair QC acting on behalf of the Orams couple, who occupy a Greek Cypriot house without any sense of legality, is just another indication of how simultaneously trivialised and deep-rooted the Cyprus issue actually is.

One side slings mud at the other and the other responds likewise. It’s also clever marketing on both sides’ behalf, as having such a high-public profile QC on the case could make it headline news. Try a Google news search these days and you’ll see just how much of a storm has brewed up.

The real issue, however, is that it’s just another tit-for-tat, demonstrating yet again the immaturity of politicians on both sides of the Green Line. They are all of driven by the desire to score more diplomatic points internationally and to maintain and increase their influence internally by holding everyone as a hostage to the past.
"

More:FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS

Visiting Turkey @ Cheap Travel Deals

"Visiting Turkey
December 24, 2005, 12:18:39
Turkey

It's a huge country and the variety of things to see is enormous - ranging from water sports to mountain trekking, archaeology to nightclubbing. It also has some of the best beaches in Europe. Turkey can easily keep you happy for weeks or even months."

More:Visiting Turkey @ Cheap Travel Deals

JTW Comment - Convergence on Iraq: US, global; Turkey, regional; Sunnis, local

"Convergence on Iraq: US, global; Turkey, regional; Sunnis, local
Cengiz Candar

I knew this already but haven't disclosed it before because I was told it was off the record. However the day before yesterday, during a live NTV talk show that we both contributed to, on Turkish foreign policy, Professor Ahmet Davudoglu, chief foreign policy advisor to both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, put on the record an observation from an Iraqi Sunni leader who participated in the Dec. 4 meeting in Istanbul in the presence of Gul and U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad Zalmay Khalilzad. His observation was the following: “Iraq isn't under U.S. but Iranian occupation.”"

More:JTW Comment - Convergence on Iraq: US, global; Turkey, regional; Sunnis, local

Sezer: We Share The Excitement And Happiness Of Our Christian Citizens For Christmas

"Sezer: We Share The Excitement And Happiness Of Our Christian Citizens For Christmas

ANKARA - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has issued a Christmas message to Christians in Turkey today."

More:Sezer: We Share The Excitement And Happiness Of Our Christian Citizens For Christmas

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Turkish Chess Federation – going for the millions

"Turkish Chess Federation – going for the millions
23.12.2005 A year ago Ali Nihat Yazici, the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, predicted that within a year his federation would have 100,000 registered members (and thus become the largest in Europe). The actual number turned out to be 105,000. Skeptics were convinced and people are now listening carefully when Ali speaks about one million members. A major bank is providing major funding."

More:ChessBase.com - Chess News - Turkish Chess Federation – going for the millions

Friday, December 23, 2005

The Melungeons- Update on Brent Kennedy

"melungeons.com sends our thoughts and prayers to Brent Kennedy and his family. Everyone is welcome to post a message for him at our Blog. We will post updates as soon as we know more about his health.

Degerli dostlar,

Meluncanlardan gelen son bilgilere gore, su anda Dr. Kennedy halen hayati mucadele icinde. 2'nci bir Anevrizma gecirmis. Dr. Kennedy, cok yakin arkadasi ve meslektasi Prof. Joe Scolnick'in 7 Aralikta vefatindan sonraki 13 Araliktaki anma gununde bir konusma yaptiktan sonra jimnastik salonunda felc gecirmis ve yere yigildaktan sonra, omuzu cikmis. Oradan helikopter ile Holston Valley Medical Center(Kingsport, Tennessee)'a nakledilmis. "

More:The Melungeons

Pamuk and Turkey's unfinished modernization

"Pamuk and Turkey's unfinished modernization
The Daily Star Middle East | Kaelen Wilson-Goldie

Beirut

Just as the trial of Orhan Pamuk stumbled off the blocks last Friday, a judge in Istanbul called a false start. A few minutes after the trial began, judge Metin Aydin announced he was postponing the proceedings until next February 7 on a technicality.

Pamuk is Turkey's most celebrated novelist. His books, such as 'Snow,' 'My Name is Red,' and 'The Black Book,' have earned critical acclaim, immense international popularity, and translations into some 40 different languages. Regularly cited as a top contender for the Nobel Prize for literature, Pamuk is a dazzling and eclectic stylist with the ability to coil myriad anecdotes into the structure of a single perspicacious story. He is known to be reclusive and introverted, but talks up a storm in interviews."

More:inadaily.com | Article service

Bloomberg.com: Crime Rises in Turkey as Economic Gains Evade Poor

Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Mercan Akdogan woke up to see a balaclava-clad man standing in her bedroom brandishing a knife. ``He introduced himself, shook my hand, and warned me not to call the police,'' Akdogan, a 30-year-old translator from Istanbul, said in a telephone interview on Dec. 5. ``He stole a bagful of stuff. Then as he was leaving he turned to me and said: `You know, you really should bolt your door.''' Burglaries in Turkey leaped 51 percent in the first half of 2005, police figures show. Crime is increasing as a four-year economic boom bypasses the poor and leaves 9.4 percent of the population without work, said Hilal Akgul, a researcher at Istanbul's Bilgi University.

Bloomberg.com

Chicago Tribune | Turkish Delight: Candy wrapped in an enigma

Once you've seen how enchanted children are by the movie version of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," it's hard to take the hubbub about overbearing Christian allegory very seriously. To them, a magical talking lion is just a magical talking lion. The real controversy involves Turkish Delight: does it qualify as a confection worthy of betraying all of your siblings for?

The memorable chapter in the book, in which the disagreeable Edmund makes that terrible trade, gives no clue about the sort of sweet it is -- a bonbon? A taffy? A cake of some sort? -- or how it might taste. You just assume that it is probably really, really good and that one day you'll get your hands on some. Most of us Americans grow up without ever doing so. But now that it is the co-star of a smash-hit movie, it's time to make sure that C.S. Lewis is not trying to pull another fast one.

Chicago Tribune | Turkish Delight: Candy wrapped in an enigma

To Some in Turkey, a Kurdish Beer Has the Flavor of Aversion

"To Some in Turkey, a Kurdish Beer Has the Flavor of Aversion

By Karl Vick
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, December 23, 2005; Page A14

ISTANBUL -- Even before the bloody head of a sheep turned up on the brewery doorstep, the makers of Roj beer had reason to suspect their light, malty lager might not be to everyone's taste.

There was the hate mail, a virulent torrent of insults invoking mothers, sisters, dogs, blood and 'dreamers like you.'"

More:To Some in Turkey, a Kurdish Beer Has the Flavor of Aversion

..:: ABHABER.COM :EU ambassadors urge Turkey to pay attention to freedom of expression

"EU ambassadors urge Turkey to pay attention to freedom of expression

EU ambassadors in Turkey meet Turkey's EU chief negotiator Babacan, urge Ankara to pay more attention to freedom of expression. Ambassadors also praise Turkey's performance in screening process

European Union ambassadors in Turkey urged Ankara to pay more attention to freedom of expression while praising Turkey's performance in the screening process of the EU negotiations.
"

More:..:: ABHABER.COM ::..

Turkish Daily News - Controversial article creates a headache

"Controversial article creates a headache
Friday, December 23, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

Article 301 of the new Turkish Penal Code, going into effect on June 1 of this year, has caused headaches for the government, which had been trying to promote the code as a watershed in Turkish democratic history."

More:Turkish Daily News - Controversial article creates a headache

..:: ABHABER.COM :Turkish Cypriot ambassador: We're taking tools from Papadopoulos' hands

"Turkish Cypriot ambassador: We're taking tools from Papadopoulos' hands

The Greek Cypriot leadership has long exploited the property issue on Cyprus in the international arena, said Tamer Gazioglu, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) ambassador to Turkey. 'Now with the new Property Law we're offering a more acceptable solution and taking this tool from the Greek Cypriot leader's hand,' he added."

More:..:: ABHABER.COM ::..

Turkish Daily News - Turkey has a new leadership platform

"Turkey has a new leadership platform
Friday, December 23, 2005

ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News

Web entrepreneur Bülent Şenver created a new leadership development initiative that primarily aims to share the experience of Turkish leaders with young people."

More:Turkish Daily News - Turkey has a new leadership platform

Turkish Daily News - The French Senate's Turkey report

"The French Senate's Turkey report
Friday, December 23, 2005

The report was published last week. Hubert Haenel and Robert del Picchia, who wrote the report for the French Senate’s European Union Commission, had prepared an excellent report last year on the issue of privileged partnership, explaining why it would not work. The recent report is on the new era that began with the start of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations on Oct. 3. Additionally, it notes the effects of the negative view held by France on Turkey’s EU membership. "

More:Turkish Daily News - The French Senate's Turkey report

Turkish Daily News - A Tuesday with Turkish synthesis

"A Tuesday with Turkish synthesis
Friday, December 23, 2005

Not long ago, I offered up my thesis here that one of this country’s most important and most ignored sources of competitive advantage is embedded in the Turkish genius for synthesis. The context was the then-incomplete Hong Kong summit of the 'Doha Round' and the looming paralysis of the WTO. The point I was attempting was that this knack for 'synthesis solutions' might indeed contribute to an exit from the WTO’s dilemma. "

More:Turkish Daily News - A Tuesday with Turkish synthesis

Turkish Daily News - Ramada Plaza Istanbul opens: Congress Valley's newest hotel

"Ramada Plaza Istanbul opens: Congress Valley's newest hotel
Friday, December 23, 2005

The Ramada Plaza Istanbul, one of Ramada Worldwide’s prestigious ‘Plaza Series Hotels,’ opened yesterday in Istanbul and offers comprehensive facilities for businesspeople with a multicultural dimension "

More:Turkish Daily News - Ramada Plaza Istanbul opens: Congress Valley's newest hotel

Ankara worries over 2006 Armenian year

"Ankara worries over 2006 Armenian year
Ankara is concerned over France’s gearing up to declare the 2006 as “the Armenia Year”.

ANKARA - The French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy will be visiting Ankara in February, where the issue is expected to be raised."

More:Ankara worries over 2006 Armenian year

Turkish Contractors’ Eye on Qatar

"Turkish Contractors’ Eye on Qatar
By Abdulhamit Yildiz
Published: Friday, December 23, 2005
zaman.com

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Chairman Murat Yalcintas accompanied by 60 businessmen visited Qatar upon the Al-Asghal authorities, who are currently making investments in the public sector, invitation to 'take part in the 42 projects worth $17 billion.'"

More:Turkish Contractors’ Eye on Qatar

Thursday, December 22, 2005

There is only dishonor for men in honor killings

"There is only dishonor for men in honor killings
Ulla Lemberg
2005-12-23 Beijing Time
ONE year ago I began working in Turkey with a Turkish film company to produce a film about honor killings.

Every year the world over, people are murdering women in the name of honor.

Honor killings have nothing to do with religion or culture — it is a social phenomenon that has been created in a patriarchal society that allows men to look upon women as chattels — as things that can be owned. "

More:There is only dishonor for men in honor killings

Georgian-Turkish Visa Regulations Simplified To Nothing

"Georgian-Turkish Visa Regulations Simplified To Nothing

Tbilisi. December 22 (Prime-News) – A Georgian-Turkish visa regime will be abolished in 2006, Gela Bejuashvili, Georgian foreign minister said during his visit to Baku on Thursday."

More:Georgian-Turkish Visa Regulations Simplified To Nothing

ABC News: Court orders Turkish reparation for Greek Cypriots

"Court orders Turkish reparation for Greek Cypriots

Dec 22, 2005 — STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordered Turkey on Thursday to put in place within three months an effective reparations mechanism for Greek Cypriots who were stripped of their possessions in the 1970s."

More:ABC News: Court orders Turkish reparation for Greek Cypriots

Privilege Call for 'Armenian Genocide'

"Privilege Call for 'Armenian Genocide'

Published: Thursday, December 22, 2005
zaman.com

The statement issued last week by 19 French historians calling for the cancellation of four laws determined by parliament in relation to historical issues has been finally answered.

Thirty-three people including writers, judges, and researchers, some of whom are of Armenian origin, released a declaration stating, “Let’s not mix everything up.”

Accordingly, the law relating to colonialism, the main reason behind the history debates, may be canceled; however, the other three laws, including the one related to the “Armenian genocide” will not, it is said, because they do not hinder freedom of expression. "

Privilege Call for 'Armenian Genocide'

Parris Says Turkey Is Very Influential In Middle East And Muslim World

"Parris Says Turkey Is Very Influential In Middle East And Muslim World

WASHINGTON D.C. - Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris said on Thursday that the voice of the United States and Europe in the Middle East and Muslim world was not as effective as Turkey."

More:Parris Says Turkey Is Very Influential In Middle East And Muslim World

French and Austrians Against Turkey's EU Entry

"French and Austrians Against Turkey's EU Entry
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Published: Thursday, December 22, 2005
zaman.com

According to a public research study conducted in Europe, mostly the French and Austrians are opposed to Turkey’s accession to European Union (EU)."

More:French and Austrians Against Turkey's EU Entry

2005: the year the EU would rather forget

"2005: the year the EU would rather forget
Published: 12/22/2005

BRUSSELS - After the soaring high of its 'big bang' enlargement in 2004, the European Union plunged to a historic low in 2005 amid a crisis over its constitution and a protracted row over the budget."

More:2005: the year the EU would rather forget

United Press International - Intl. Intelligence - Analysis: Eurasianism, an EU alternative?

"Analysis: Eurasianism, an EU alternative?

By CLAUDE SALHANI
UPI International Editor

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Turkey has been pushing for full membership in the European Community for almost 50 years now. And for 50 years Brussels Eurocrats have repeatedly told the Turks they are not quite ready.

Brussels has repeatedly told Turkey it still has giant steps to take in order to reach a level of democracy acceptable to the EU. Consecutive Turkish governments were given a long sundry list of action points that had to be implemented before the EU would consider allowing Turkey into the club. Turkey had to meet the Copenhagen Criteria for human rights and free market, it had to abolish torture in its prisons and ease up on the Kurds. Then there remains the unresolved Cyprus question."

More:United Press International - Intl. Intelligence - Analysis: Eurasianism, an EU alternative?

Cyprus issue, writer's trial put pressure on Turkish-EU ties (SETimes.com)

"Cyprus issue, writer's trial put pressure on Turkish-EU ties

22/12/2005

Turkey's relations with the EU since October, when landmark accession talks got under way, have had their ups and downs. An EC progress report gave a mixed assessment of Turkish reform efforts, and the trial of a noted writer has highlighted freedom of speech issues.

By Allan Cove for Southeast European Times -- 22/12/05

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has termed EU demands on Cyprus 'unreasonable'. [Getty Images]

Since accession talks with the EU began in October, Turkey has experienced ups and downs in its relationship wih Brussels. While the European Commission's (EC) first annual report on the country contained positive assessments of economic progress, it also expressed concern over human rights issues, the influence of the military, and the ongoing Cyprus problem."

More:Cyprus issue, writer's trial put pressure on Turkish-EU ties (SETimes.com)

CBC Arts: Turkish writer fined instead of jailed

"Turkish writer fined instead of jailed
Last Updated Thu, 22 Dec 2005 15:46:42 EST
CBC Arts

A writer in Turkey, who had been sentenced to five months in jail for insulting Turkish identity in one of his novels, has instead been fined 3,000 lira or $1,800 Cdn."

More:CBC Arts: Turkish writer fined instead of jailed

International spat upends lives of Turkish translators in Iraq war

"International spat upends lives of Turkish translators in Iraq war
By SETH HETTENA, Associated Press Writer December 20, 2005

SAN DIEGO - Tunjay Celik has stopped carrying photos of his 13-year-old son. He doesn't walk through toy stores anymore.
He last saw his son nearly three years ago in Turkey when Celik left for work as a U.S. military translator in Iraq. Now, Celik lives 7,000 miles away in California. He has worked as a cab driver, but is currently unemployed."

More:Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.

Turkish Daily News - You cannot legislate history

"You cannot legislate history
Thursday, December 22, 2005

A case has been filed in Massachusetts concerning the way the 'Armenian genocide' is taught in schools. The plaintiffs, including a bright student, argue that teaching just the Armenian side of the story and omitting the Turkish side from textbooks is depriving students of their right to have the whole picture, especially when there are respectable historians such as Bernard Lewis, Justin McCarthy and Guenter Lewy who have dissenting views on the events of 1915. "

More:Turkish Daily News - You cannot legislate history

Financial Mirror-UN confirms no Cyprus talks

"UN confirms no Cyprus talks
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has confirmed that the time is not yet ripe for re-starting talks to solve the Cyprus problem, despuite constant assurances from Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to Greek Cypriots that a UN initiative is coming soon.

“What is important is that, in the end, there is a plan on the table that rallies both sides and they both agree and unify and live in peace,” he told a press briefing on Wednesday."

More:Financial Mirror-UN confirms no Cyprus talks

JTW News - Turkey Will Train Italian Pilots

"Turkey Will Train Italian Pilots
* Turkish General Staff and Italian Defense Ministry have signed an agreement allowing Turkey's Air Force to train Italian pilots on F-16s, UPI reported. The Turkish Cabinet subsequently approved the November agreement, which is for one year."

More:JTW News - Turkey Will Train Italian Pilots

In Berlin, a Cultural Wall Sets Turks Apart - Los Angeles Times

"In Berlin, a Cultural Wall Sets Turks Apart
# In a Muslim enclave, many find their futures -- and identities -- are torn between countries.

By Jeffrey Fleishman, Times Staff Writer

BERLIN -- The Gummi Bear marked the cultural divide between Annette Spieler and the inquisitive little girl.

The principal at the elementary school in the Wrangel neighborhood here, Spieler offers candy as rewards for good grades. One Muslim student asked whether Gummi Bears were made with gelatin, an ingredient often derived from pigs. Spieler had never encountered such a question, but upon checking, she discovered that they were."

More:In Berlin, a Cultural Wall Sets Turks Apart - Los Angeles Times

People's Daily Online -- Cyprus says Turkish north should blame itself for losing EU aid

"Cyprus says Turkish north should blame itself for losing EU aid
font size ZoomIn ZoomOut

Cyprus said on Wednesday that the Turkish Cypriot north should blame itself for losing an EU aid of 120 million euros (about 141.6 million US dollars) designed to improve economy in the north.

The aid is part of a total of 259 million euros (305.62 million dollars) of an EU funding regulation to boost economy for the Turkish Cypriots."

More:People's Daily Online -- Cyprus says Turkish north should blame itself for losing EU aid

Hürriyet-New case of insult ordered by Turkey

"New case of insult ordered by Turkey

Following the case of Orhan Pamuk, another member of the publishing community is due to go on trial for insulting 'Turkishness'. The editor, Abdullah Yildiz, of Literatur publishers may face a prison sentence for publishing the besteller 'The Witches of Smyrna' by Greek author Mara Meimaridi. The story tells of the last years of the Ottoman Empire, and is set in Izmir. The story describes some of the city's Turkish quarters as 'dirty'.

According to source up to 60 Turkish reporters have gone on trial for charges of a similar manner.
Some 60 Turkish reporters and writers have gone on trial on similar charges."

Hürriyet-New case of insult ordered by Turkey

Stability Main Reason Foreigners Invest in Turkey

"Stability Main Reason Foreigners Invest in Turkey
By Huseyin Sumer, Suleyman Kurt, Ercan Baysal
Published: Thursday, December 22, 2005
zaman.com

Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan and Turkey’s Top European Union (EU) negotiator shared his assessments about the Turkish economy with Zaman daily."

More:Stability Main Reason Foreigners Invest in Turkey

Turkish Daily News - Europe’s last wall in Greek Cyprus

"Europe’s last wall in Greek Cyprus
Thursday, December 22, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The last dividing wall of Europe stands in the Greek Cypriot-controlled section of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot Ambassador to Turkey Tamer Gazioğlu said yesterday.

Turkish Cypriot workers demolished a roadblock that had divided the capital city of Nicosia for decades, but hopes of opening a crossing on Ledra Street faded last month when the Greek Cypriot government withdrew its support."

More:Turkish Daily News - Europe’s last wall in Greek Cyprus

Turkey on trial - Editorials & Commentary - International Herald Tribune

"Turkey on trial
The New York Times

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2005
The trial of Orhan Pamuk, the best-selling Turkish novelist, had barely gotten under way in Istanbul the other day when the judge postponed the proceedings until Feb. 7. We can only hope that this delay signals that Turkish leaders are looking for a way to drop the charges against Pamuk, who is being prosecuted for 'insulting Turkish identity.'

In a newspaper interview last February, Pamuk referred to the Armenian genocide in 1915 during the Ottoman Empire and to the clashes between Turks and minority Kurds in Turkey since the 1980s. 'One million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in these lands and nobody but me dares talk about it,' Pamuk was quoted as saying. This was considered a crime punishable by up to three years in prison by some Turks, including some prosecutors."



More:Turkey on trial - Editorials & Commentary - International Herald Tribune

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Brent Kennedy, leader of the Melungeons is gravely ill

Prof. Joe Scolnick of the University of Virginia's
College at Wise, co-author, along with Dr. Brent
Kennedy, of "From Anatolia to Appalachia: A
Turkish-American Dialogue," passed away on December 7,
2005. He was age 65, he was reading a book in his
favorite chair when he suffered a heart attack. He was
a great man and gave so much for others.

On Tuesday the December 13, 2005 a memorial was held
in Wise for Joe Scholnick. Immediately after finishing
his eulogy for Joe Scolnick, Brent Kennedy had a
stroke (cerebellum) and collapsed in the gymnasium
lobby. He also had a Grand Mal seizure and dislocated
his shoulder and suffered other bruising. Our Brother
Brent was airlifted to Holston Valley Medical Center
in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Brent returned home from the hospital after a couple
of days. I did have correspondence with him on
Saturday afternoon, he was hopeful and in good spirit.
Today we learned that over the weekend, Brent suffered
a more-serious stroke, an aneurism. The doctors
performed an emergency surgery and he is in a coma at
Holston Valley Hospital, in the ICU.

All who love peace, unite in prayer for our Brother Brent Kennedy. People across the land are lighting a candle too.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Helen Campbell

Founder
www.melungeons.com

Istanbul’s Greater Municipality vetoes drinking ban

"Istanbul’s Greater Municipality vetoes drinking ban
The council of the greater municipality of Istanbul has rejected a proposal by one of the city’s municipalities to ban the consumption of alcohol from many areas within its boundaries and establish special drinking zones."

More:Istanbul’s Greater Municipality vetoes drinking ban

IOL: Thessaloniki - Greece's 'showpiece' city

"....There pockets of Ottoman buildings which miraculously survived the fire still stand, as well as a Byzantine fortress complete with seven towers which later served a prison.

For most visitors, one sight which should not be missed is Thessaloniki's exceptional Archaeological Museum as well as the smaller Museum of Jewish Presence. The latter is intended to reflect the important past of the Jewish community in this city since the 15th century, who were the victims of deportations during WW2.

Also interesting is the Ataturk Museum, where the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was born in 1881 in this house on Apostolou Pavlou Street."

More:IOL: Thessaloniki - Greece's 'showpiece' city

..:: ABHABER.COM :Austria, Finland promise to forward Turkey's EU negotiations

"Austria, Finland promise to forward Turkey's EU negotiations

Two upcoming EU presidents announce a joint program that promises to move Turkey's accession negotiations forward in accordance with the agreed framework between Ankara and EU

Austrian-Finnish program states that each candidate country will be treated individually and the accession process will take place under the 'best possible conditions' for each candidate "

More:..:: ABHABER.COM ::..

Talat Speaks To A.A. On New Property Law

"Talat Speaks To A.A. On New Property Law

-''LAW DOES NOT AIM TO RESOLVE PROPERTY PROBLEM IN CYPRUS''

LEFKOSA - ''The target of the new property law (adopted by TRNC Parliament) does not aim to solve property problem in Cyprus. The property problem would be solved through political means,'' Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said on Wednesday."

More:Talat Speaks To A.A. On New Property Law

An Interview with Daniel Pipes - Opinion

"....Commentator: So for example, in the case of Turkey, do you see their recent government changeover as a setback?

DP: It's a major problem. The key question now is whether the Islamists who are in power are willing to live in the Ataturk context, or if they want to overturn it, and we don't know that yet, and we won't know that for some years. There's a possibility that they're willing to live within it, but it's worrisome that they want to overturn it... "

More:An Interview with Daniel Pipes - Opinion

Failure in Cyprus Regulations Strikes a Blow to EU's Prestige

"Failure in Cyprus Regulations Strikes a Blow to EU's Prestige
By Selcuk Gultasli
Published: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
zaman.com

Sweden brought the Cyprus regulations to the agenda in the last Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) of the British term presidency, saying that the European Union failing to keep its promises causes a tremendous loss of prestige."

More:Failure in Cyprus Regulations Strikes a Blow to EU's Prestige

Turkish Daily News - Business bosses want Turkey to lead Cyprus solution efforts

"Business bosses want Turkey to lead Cyprus solution efforts
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

Continuation of the current division of Cyprus is not in Turkey's interest and Ankara must take the initiative in resuming reunification efforts on the island, an official of Turkey's leading business group said yesterday."

More:Turkish Daily News - Business bosses want Turkey to lead Cyprus solution efforts

Turkish Daily News - Men take on women's roles in Aegean village

"Men take on women's roles in Aegean village
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

A village located in Uşak, a central Aegean province famous for its carpets and kilims, has been experiencing an unusual shift in professions between male and female villagers for the last 25 years."

More:Turkish Daily News - Men take on women's roles in Aegean village

Gulf Times Newspaper - Qatar, Gulf and World News - Qatar

"New Year party for Turkish children
Published: Wednesday, 21 December, 2005, 10:35 AM Doha Time
Staff Reporter
THE Turkish Women’s Association in Qatar is organising a New Year’s party for Turkish children living in Doha at McDonald’s on Suhaim Bin Hamad Road on Friday, between 3.30-5pm.
The event will be one of many planned for children and the Turkish community in Qatar, said office-bearers.
The first event organised by the forum was Children’s Day on April 23, the national holiday of Turkish sovereignty which was dedicated to the children of the world by the founder of the modern Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

More:Gulf Times Newspaper - Qatar, Gulf and World News - Qatar

Hürriyet-All eyes on critical Cyprus law suit

"All eyes on critical Cyprus law suit
The European Court of Human Rights will make a decision on Thursday over a complaint that was registered by a Greek Cypriot national Myra Ksenides-Arestis, who has no access to her house in Magosa, She maintains that she has been prevented from living in her home or using her property – in Magosa in Northern Cyprus – since August 1974, as a result of the continuing division of Cyprus. She complains of a continuing violation of her rights under Articles 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). "

More:Hürriyet

UNDER THE SIGN OF ANDIJAN
Iranians and Turks Won at the Beginning of Great Game's New Round

"Iranians and Turks Won at the Beginning of Great Game's New Round
Ulugbek Djuraev, AIA Central Asian section
Previous part

The year 2005, most likely, will become a defining one for the further rivalry of external forces for the influence in Central Asia. This year, the third round of the modern Great Game has begun in the region. It is absolutely clear, who won the previous two rounds. Now the question is: who will gain the greatest victory of all...

Quindecennial Panorama…

The first stage lasted since the moment the Central Asian republics gained their independence in the summer of 1991, and up to the beginning of counterterrorist operation in Afghanistan in the autumn of 2001. For this period the circle of participants of the Great Game, and their regional interests were defined. The contours of strategic alliances and the tactical unions uniting both the external players with each other, and the external players with the Central Asian countries were charted accordingly. As a result, three camps of participants in the modern Great Game were established. "

More:UNDER THE SIGN OF ANDIJAN
Iranians and Turks Won at the Beginning of Great Game's New Round