Turkish Digest

Ankara and Damascus form stronger ties - UPI.com

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

"Ankara and Damascus form stronger ties

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

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

Dhaka, Ankara strike deal on direct air link

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

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

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

More:Dhaka, Ankara strike deal on direct air link

Can Turkey Break the Copenhagen Deadlock? : TreeHugger

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

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

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

More:Can Turkey Break the Copenhagen Deadlock? : TreeHugger

Turkish markets tumble on Ukraine fears - Forbes.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Turkish anger over Herman Van Rompuy appointment

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

Robert Tait Istanbul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Yearning for Peace

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

"A Yearning for Peace

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

More:Qantara.de - A Yearning for Peace

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

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

"Ankara ambivalent toward new EU president

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

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

British Prime Minister: Cyprus solution possible next year

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

"British Prime Minister: Cyprus solution possible next year

November 20, 2009

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

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

Turkey’s EU negotiator congratulates EU’s first President

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Ayla Jean Yackley

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

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

Wanderlust | Istanbul

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

"Wanderlust | Istanbul
By CHRIS CAMPBELL

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

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

Turkey probes fresh allegations of anti-govt plot | Reuters

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

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

By Daren Butler

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

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

Turkey cancels nuke plant tender

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

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

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

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

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

JUF News : The fears of our family in Turkey

2009-11-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

"The fears of our family in Turkey
By Aaron B. Cohen

What will be the ramifications for the Jewish community of Turkey's reorientation away from the values of Ataturk's secular republic?

There seemed no reason during a recent visit to doubt an estimate as high as 17 million for the population of Istanbul: clogged freeways, endless urban sprawl, poor air quality, and the pervasive feeling that too much growth had occurred too rapidly, gave the number visceral credibility."

More:JUF News : The fears of our family in Turkey

Turkey: A Bird’s Eye View of Istanbul

2009-11-20T11:47:00.000-05:00

"Turkey: A Bird’s Eye View of Istanbul

Text and photographs by Albena Shkodrova

From the hills on dry land, houses and streets seem to be flowing down to the shimmering waters of the Bosphorus.

The thick smoke from the grills along the ports, where fish, corn and chestnuts are being grilled, rises and, for a little while, shrouds the colourful scenery in a veil – light, inconsistent clouds, quickly carried away by the wind."

More:Balkan Travellers - Turkey: A Bird’s Eye View of Istanbul

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen opens new terminal; demand up 40% so far in 2009 | anna.aero

2009-11-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

"Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen opens new terminal; demand up 40% so far in 2009

Named after the first aviatrix in Turkey (and one of eight adopted children of Turkey’s first President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk), Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen airport is on the Asian side of the Bosphorus."

More:Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen opens new terminal; demand up 40% so far in 2009 | anna.aero

Media allowed to use Kurdish language but still forbidden to discuss Kurdish issues freely

2009-11-20T11:40:00.000-05:00

"Media allowed to use Kurdish language but still forbidden to discuss Kurdish issues freely

Published on 20 November 2009

Reporters Without Borders hails the lifting of the last restrictions on the use of the Kurdish language by the Turkish news media. “This is an important and symbolically-charged step but its impact will be very limited as long as the media cannot tackle Kurdish issues without risking prosecution,” the press freedom organisation said."

More:Reporters Sans Frontières

Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment - Monsters and Critics

2009-11-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

"Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment
Europe News

Nov 20, 2009, 10:55 GMT

Istanbul - The appointment of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Union was met with concern in Turkey because of the Belgian's previous comments against Ankara's joining the EU."

More:Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment - Monsters and Critics

Duchess Of York slapped with Turkish charges over orphan film

2009-11-20T11:32:00.000-05:00

"Duchess Of York slapped with Turkish charges over orphan film
By ANI
November 20th, 2009

LONDON - Fergie, the Duchess Of York, has come a step closer to standing trial in Turkey after she was served with legal papers by Scotland Yard yesterday."

More:Duchess Of York slapped with Turkish charges over orphan film

Turkey ready to accept surrendered Kurdish separatists: minister

2009-11-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

"Turkey ready to accept surrendered Kurdish separatists: minister

Turkey is ready to accept the surrendered fighters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who left the Makhmour camp in northern Iraq, Turkish Interior Minister Bashir Atalay was quoted as saying by the Turkish Anadolu news agency."

More:Trend News: Turkey ready to accept surrendered Kurdish separatists: minister

AFP: Israel minister headed to Turkey

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

"Israel minister headed to Turkey

(AFP) – 6 hours ago

JERUSALEM — An Israeli minister said on Friday he was to travel to Turkey, in the first such visit since Israel's military offensive in Gaza at the turn of the year strained ties with Turkey.

'I hope my visit will contribute to improving relations between the two countries which are strategically crucial to Israel,' Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told Israeli radio."

More:AFP: Israel minister headed to Turkey

Court ceiling collapses during Turkish plot trial

2009-11-20T11:18:00.000-05:00

"Court ceiling collapses during Turkish plot trial
20 Nov 2009 10:39:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
ISTANBUL, Nov 20 (Reuters) - A court hearing in Turkey into an alleged ultra-nationalist conspiracy to overthrow the government was suspended on Friday after the ceiling partially collapsed, Turkish media reported."

More:Reuters AlertNet - Court ceiling collapses during Turkish plot trial

Bids submitted in Turkish sugar factories sell-off - Forbes.com

2009-11-20T05:14:00.000-05:00

"Bids submitted in Turkish sugar factories sell-off
11.20.09, 03:55 AM EST

ANKARA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Turkey's Privatisation Administration (OIB) said on Friday it had received nine bids for six sugar factories belonging to the state-owned firm Turkseker."

More:Bids submitted in Turkish sugar factories sell-off - Forbes.com

Fergie's legal storm over Turkey film | Mail Online

2009-11-20T02:18:00.000-05:00

"Fergie's legal storm over
Turkey film

Last updated at 12:00 AM on 20th November 2009

After she exposed appalling conditions in state-run orphanages in Turkey, the Duchess of York found herself at the centre of a diplomatic storm. And now, I can reveal, the controversy has taken another extraordinary twist, with police serving a series of legal demands on her."

More:Fergie's legal storm over Turkey film | Mail Online