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THE BEST FOOTBALL (SOCCER) BOOK EVER! Soccer Blog, July 2005 THREE LIONS ROAR: A NOVEL OF WORLD CUP 2006 is in all Internet book stores. You can download PDF format from www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com for $ 6.00 now! CLICK ON ABOVE PICTURE! TODAY'S NEWS, TOMORROW'S HISTORY! For current news from Turkish Daily Sabah please click on the following link: http://english.sabah.com.tr/
Greek Cypriot Voted No, Turks Yes | | The Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected the Annan Plan and settlement in Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot voiced their support to peace, in the referenda on Saturday. As the final results will be clarified at about 21 O'clock, The Turkish Cypriot people voted a Yes, above 61 % in the refrerendum today, While the No votes in the South were between 76-78 %.
143.638 people in TRNC and 479.551 people in the South voted in the referenda. April 24, 2004 (www.hurriyet.com.tr) |
745 Billion TL Compensation for Radiation Victims | | The Ilgaz family, who were exposed to radiation, won their case as the Istanbul Administrative Court found the Turkey Atomic Energy Institution (TAEK) guilty for it did not perform its duty of protecting society from dangerous substances. The complaint that the Ilgaz family filed against TAEK in 1999 brought a record level of compensation. The family was exposed to a radioactive substance, which was present in a container that they had purchased in 1999 as scrap, and this made the family members spend rest of their life under the threat of cancer. The court decided that TAEK did not fulfill its duty of protecting society from dangerous substances and sentenced it to pay compensation of 25 to 100 billion TL to the each victimized member of the family. 16 members of the family were victimized by the incident. Jurists entitle this case as the lawsuit in which the court decided for payment of the highest compensation amount in Turkey. Expert reports say that the victims were in the early stage of feeling the effects of radiation and they bear the risk of cancer. As they will continue to feel those impacts for the rest of their lives, the court decided that TAEK should also pay moral compensation.
Minister Convinced People
The decision of the Istanbul Administrative Court included a reference to the statements of Turkish officials following the incident in the Chernobile nuclear plant in Russia in 1986. The court decision stated that then-TAEK President and Industry Minister argued that leakage of radiation to the Black Sea was limited and through media they generated the impression that radiation did not have much harmful effect on individuals. Then-Industry Minister Cahit Aral had drunk tea before journalists so as to prove that the tea produced in the Black Sea region did not contain radiation.
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Greek Army Distributes Candies and Chocolates For Eid Al Fitr in Western Thrace
TURKEY, November 25, 2003 - During the morning of the Ramadan religious holiday, soldiers from the 4th Corps of the Greek army based in Western Thrace distributed candies and chocolates to the mosques of Iskece (Iskec) and Gumulcine (Komotini). Officers and privates visited the mosques and met with the congregation during special prayers for the sacred three-day holiday. They conveyed the salutation of 4th Army Corps Commander Athanasios Galanis and presented packages of sweets and chocolates. The Turks of Western Thrace were reportedly pleased with the gesture. |
40-year-long Taboo is Removed: Greek Cypriots welcomed in Turkey Turkey started receiving Greek Cypriots for the first time since 1963, with Cyprus Republic passports. The first group arrived in Turkey from the Norh-West Ipsala gate. A 300-strong group arrived in 6 busses to visit the historical sites and Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul.
Turkey had recognized the Cyprus Republic shared by Turkish and Greek Cypriots under the 1959-60 London and Zurich Treaties but had refused to recognize the Greek Cypriot state which expelled Turks from the government , to annex to Greece in 1963.
HOW TO COME
* Greek Cypriots will apply to a Turkish embassy in any country for a visa.
* No fee will be imposed on visas. The visa will not be stamped on the passport. .
* Greek Cypriots arriving in a border gate of Turkey without having a visa will be able to enter Turkey but buying a ten-Euro stamped paper.
* Greek Cypriots are allowed to stay in Turkey for a month, unless they extend their visa.
* Greek Cypriots will be able to enter Turkey through sea or land. Arrival on board of touristic boats and private yachtes require calling one of the ports which Turkey communicates, beforehand. International insurance documents are required for vessels and land vehicles.
GREEK SIDE!
Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreou said that they were working on a plan to allow Turks to pay one-day visits to Greek islands without a visa and that islands having shortage of water might receive water from Turkey.
After Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas removed the wall in Cyprus, Greek FM Papandreou is trying to have Turks visit Aegean islands without the visa requirement. The Greek Foreign Minister said that they were trying to talk EU in allowing Turks to have one-day visits to Greek islands. He told Greek daily Ta Nea that ; During my visit to Meis, my colleagues (from EU countries) saw how close Meis was to Kas and realized that the economies of the two sides are economically linked at each other ."
Greek Cypriot woman regains her jewels
Greek Cypriot Elleda Kiriaku, who buried her jewels at the garden of her previous home in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that she deserted 29 years ago, regained them after Turkish Cypriot Zerrin Dogan, who is now living in that home and who found jewels and liras as she was playing with her child in the garden, submitted them to Kiriaku. Dogan found the jewels 10 years ago and she has been keeping them to return to their owner in the future.
The British Times newspaper quoted Dogan as saying that, I removed the burden on me and now I feel very good. The newspaper said that after the passages between the two sides were liberated in the island, many positive events were experienced like this.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
May 2003
Japanese to Decide on Bosphorus Tube Next Week
Ankara, TURKEY, May 22, 2003 - A project to connect Europe and Asia with a tube under the Bosphorus that has been 19 years in the making is about to reach fruition. The Japanese contractor who has expressed interest in bidding on the mammoth project is expected to give an answer on its feasibility by May 30.
Japanese officials visiting Turkey last week to discuss the final details of a bid for the project wanted a two-week period of time for final deliberations. If the project is approved by the Japanese experts who have been examining the 800-page bid specifications since January, excavation under the Bosphorus will begin in October.
www.zaman.com
Petition of Intellectuals Again at the Kiosk
The Petition of Intellectuals, which was issued under the leadership of satirist Aziz Nesin in 1984, will be conveyed to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Monday by intellectuals, who are claiming that no significant progress was achieved in 19 years for the removal of the crime of thought and for the prevention of violation of human rights.
A group of intellectuals, authors, artists, journalists and non-governmental organizations will hold contacts at the Cankaya Kiosk, Constitutional Court and Parliament, under the leadership of Aziz Nesin (the son of Aziz Nesin carrying the same name) and author Fikret Baskaya.
Those intellectuals who had signed the petition and forwarded it to the Presidency and Parliament in 1984 were declared as 'treacherous' by Kenan Evren, the President of the period and the leader of the 1980 coup, and were subjected to a legal action.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
June 2, 2003
Papadopulos: 89.3 % of TRNC, is Ours!
Greek Cypriot leader Tasos Papadopulos claimed that 89.3 % of the land of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus belonged to them. Claiming that he had documents evidencing this fact, Papadopulos demanded permission for his citizens to return to the North (Which has been taken by Turkey in 1974 after a coup attempt of Greek Cypriots to annihilate Turkish Cypriots and annex the island to Greece).
In a statement to a daily, Papadopulos said that 89.3 % of TRNC land was the property of Greek Cypriots and Armenians, and the remaniing land belonged to Turks.
Remarking on the Cyprus issue, he claimed that the bi-zonal setting in Cyprus was an idea of Middle Ages and it did not suit the principle of the return of the people to their homes. Papadopulos added that "The biggest concession made by Greek Cypriots has been accepting bi-zonal, bi-society federal state."
About the villages of Turkish Cypriots which were destroyed by Greek Cypriots, he said that "With the Annan Plan, Turks will begin receiving compensation for their losses. I am underlining that the balance between the territories must therefore be especially emphasized in the Annan Plan. All these issues will be settled, once a solution is reached in the island."
July 3, 2003
www.hurriyet.com.tr
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who will go to U.S. today, said that there was no official request for troops from U.S. however, unofficial talks were under way. U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson said that the offer to send troops, came from Turkey.
July 22, 2003
TCDD to Repair Broken Railway Cars in Iraq
TURKEY, August 07, 2003 - Railway routes between Turkey, Syria and Iraq, not in use since February 27, 2003 due to the Iraq war, are to be re-opened, as of August 1, 2003.
According to the agreement between Iraq and Turkey, the repair of Iraq's broken railway cars are to be done by Turkish State Railways (TCDD) facilities and its sub-structures. Iraq will send a technical team to Turkey to oversee the process.
The protocol to re-open routes between the two countries was signed by Iraq Railways and TCDD on July 30. In the first phase of the protocol, TCDD will transfer 1000 ton loads per train to Iraq via Syria four days a week: Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On issues such as schedules, extra charges, technical problems, the shared use of cars, TCDD and Iraq Railways are to strictly follow bilateral and international agreements and contracts. Both sides will continue to apply discounts as per the Asia and Europe Joint Schedule until December 31 2003.
aa / / TURKEY | Blair To Erdogan: You Will Play In Finals | | Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who attended the inter-governmental conference in the EU summit in Brussels, in which the EU Constitution was discussed, became the focus of interest among EU leaders. British Prime Minister Tony Blair came near Erdogan and the two leaders shook hands and talked for a while. Regarding the European soccer championship, in which the national teams of the two countries also competed, Blair said that Turkey could play in the final. Simitis Is Positive
Erdogan also had a brief conversation with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. The two leaders mentioned the prospective visit of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Simitis said; I expect positive results from such visits. Erdogan also talked with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Plamen Alexandrov Panayotov. www.hurriyetim.com.tr October 17, 2003 | Modern Moslem | | Similar Messages From President Sezer and Religious Affairs Director. In explaining the "new religion policy," Prof. Ali Bardakoglu, who was named the Head of the Religious Affairs Directorate three months ago, said, "We should create the model of modern Moslem. We should remove the contamination stemming from geography and culture, and make religion lighter." According to Bardakoglu, Islam countries arrived at a threshold to decide on whether religious affairs and state administration would go hand in hand, as they used to, or everyone would fulfill separate functions. Bardakoglu said that, except some minor problems, Turkey had passed this threshold. Bardakoglu said, "Religion is a subject that should be balanced. We cannot just leave the direction of it to religious communities, similar to the practice in Europe. We are for a reasonable civilianism. As the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate, I should be elected by theology faculties, clerics, and experts. We are not an exclusively Sunnite institution. However applications of the Religious Affairs Directorate drew such a picture. We are trying to develop policies that will embrace our Alawite citizens too. It is wrong to mingle religion with politics. We reply the phone calls of politicians, but we do not do what they say. Reform cannot take place in religion. But we have to question our piety and change it in line with the present circumstances. Modernity and piety are not two concepts that conflict, but rather support each other. We should create the model of modern Moslem. This does not mean a reformation in religion, it means making our religion a more 'actual' one. We should lighten our religion by removing the taints coming from geography or culture, and we should make it lighter. This does not mean light-Islam. To the contrary, it means basing religion on the ground of knowledge." www.hurriyetim.com.tr 17 October 2003 | | | Ataturk Is Being Remembered With Feelings of Indebtedness
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the great leader and the founder of the Republic of Turkey will be commemorated in the 65th year of his decease in Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and the Turkish missions abroad.
November 10, 2003 | Papandreou Ended A Taboo Of 550 Years! | | Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreou destroyed the taboo of "Istanbul" in the first minutes of the visit of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Athens. In the joint press conference of the two Foreign Ministers, Papandreou, while mentioning that the torch of 2004 Olympic Games would pass through Istanbul, first used the term "Constantinople," which is the name of Istanbul in the ear of Eastern Rome Empire. However, then he used the name "Istanbul" and thereby he destroyed a 550-year-old taboo in this sense. Because, eve though the name of the city was changed to Istanbul 550 years ago, Greeks continue to call it Constantinople. In the press conference, Papandreou said; We can say that we took great steps when compared to the last 40 years. Our message is that we should draw lessons from our past experiences. This is necessary for the next generations of both countries to live in peace and prosperity. These bilateral relations give us the chance of solving our problems step by step. Gul said, "The will of our people to turn Aegean into a sea of peace encourages our governments." In Athens, Gul signed the Olympic Peace Communique and said, "As the neighbor of Greece, Turkey has a lot to do to assist her in 2004 Athens Olympic Games." October 22, 2003-Turkish Daily Hurriyet- www.hurriyetim.com.tr |
'Brother Hikmet' Formula Pleases Turkish Contractors in Afghanistan
Ankara, TURKEY, January 07, 2004 - Turkish businessmen are pleased with the appointment of former Foreign Minister, Hikmet Cetin, as the highest-ranking civilian administrator of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan. Turk Afghan Labor Council President, Oktay Varlier, described the Cetin appointment as 'a serious step for Turkey's prestige in the region.' Preparing to go to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, Cetin said in a statement to ZAMAN that he was proud of the Turkish investments in Afghanistan and that he would try his best to help out Turkish citizens in Afghanistan. Leaving a civil war and instability behind, Afghanistan has become a favorite for Turkish contractors. While Turkish firms were disappointed with the economic crisis in Turkey, they were awarded US million in business contracts last year in Afghanistan. The total investments of Turkish businessmen exceed US million. Turkish firms won 90 percent of the construction bids in the Afghan market and successfully conducted many projects including the construction of the Hyatt Hotel and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Hikmet Cetin, who will go to Afghanistan as the highest-ranking NATO administrator by the end of January, stated that there was much to do in Afghanistan. Saying that more than 2000 Turks, working as laborers and engineers, were in Afghanistan, he added "Turkish engineers and workers go to that country with the risk of very difficult conditions and unfortunately even being kidnapped. And I go to that country outside my official duties to help them as much as I can. " www.zaman.com | Speedy Train Disaster: 36 Deaths | | Turkey's first fast train adventure ended with disaster. The fast train which was hastily put into service between Ankara and Istanbul, with an insufficient infrastructure, derailed in Pamukova, Sakarya (close to the epicenter of the 1999 earthquake), on Thursday at 19.45. The death train took off Istanbul at 18.00 with 234 passengers and 12 personnel on board. It derailed in Pamukova. The Health Ministry announced the death toll as first 199, then 37. According to the Transport Ministry the number is 36. Warnings Ignored Prof. Dr. Aydin Erel, lecturer of the Yildiz Technical University warned Transport Minister Binali Yildirim at the Transport Summit which was held on July, 6. Erel had said 15 days before, 'infrastructure is not suitable for speedy train. The likelihood of an accident is very high. These trains will be derailed. I will neither be on board such a train nor will have my relatives be on board..' |
http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,sid~381@nvid~444180,00.asp |
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A PALE BLUE DOT?
... Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there - on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors, so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.
Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
Earth (the dot in the middle) as seen from 3.7 billion miles away by the Voyager 1 spacecraft, on 6/6/1990.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE!
(From Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan, Random House, 1994)
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Safranbolu Featured in Japanese Manga Story
Tokyo, JAPAN, April 22, 2003 - The lovely town of Safranbolu, which is famous for its historical houses, is the venue for a new Japanese manga (cartoon) story. Manga are popular with all age groups in Japan, but are particularly enjoyed by the younger generation.
The first installment of "Dawn Lion," an adventure story featuring main characters Erina, a Japanese girl, and Alp, a Turkish boy, has been published by popular manga creator Chie Shinohara.
Shinohara, a fan of Turkey, was the recipient of the Best Manga award in Japan for her story "On the Banks of the Kizilirmak" (Red River), a tale about the Hittites that sold a record 11 million copies over a period of seven years.
Shinohara said that she did research last year in Safranbolu, in which she is very interested for its historical houses, as preparation for another story based in Turkey. "I wanted to express the beauties of Turkey to the Japanese in 'Dawn Lion.' I hope I will be successful."
aa / Tokyo / JAPAN
The Japanese Chuckle at Nasdreddin Hodja Jokes
Tokyo, JAPAN, August 26, 2003 - A series of workshops on 'Nasreddin Hodja' at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum this month, as part of the 'Three Big Civilizations in Turkey' exhibition was held to mark '2003 Turkey Year' celebrations in Japan.
Hundreds of visitors attended the workshops, which were organized by the Turk-Japan Friendship Association and broadcasting board. The board's Ms. Mitsuko Kojima, who did her master's degree at the Anthropology Department of Ankara University and wrote a dissertation on Nasreddin Hodja, did presentations on the legendary Hodja and Turkish culture, which were enthusiastically received.
Doing presentations for hundreds of enthusiasts, Kojima delivers the hodja's jokes in a theatrical manner, much to the amusement of the audiences. She also gives information about Turkish traditions, such as setting special Ramadan dining tables, greetings and farewell customs and cuisine. Visitors are given a small blue bead, bearing the 2003 Turkey Year emblem and a Turkish hazelnut covered with chocolate. The workshop ends today.
Nasreddin Hodja is a beloved Turkish character of folktales. Nasreddin Hodja lived in 13th century in a small town called Aksehir, in Central Anatolia. The jokes were part of his daily life and they became accepted and welcomed by the public since then.
aa / Tokyo / JAPAN
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The Location of Safranbolu and Its Neighbouring Provinces, Sub-provinces and Villages
Safranbolu is a sub-provincial centre in the north-western Black Sea region, located at the cross-section of the northern latitude and eastern longitude. According to the present administrative system the neighbouring provinces (Some) are: Zonguldak, Kastamonu, , Bolu; and some of sub-provinces are: Karabuk, Eflani, Ulus, Bartin, Eskipazar, Bulak, Tokatli,Kirpe, Akveren. Among these Bulak, Tokatli, and Kilavuzlar are of special significance to Safranbolu (Safranbolu Map).
Safranbolu has long been an important centre close to Istanbul, with its large houses and the labour it supplies to Istanbul, primarily in bakery.
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Safranbolu Houses
Bay windows of Safranbolu houses, while adding a special appearnce to the exteriors of the house, they help people who sit on the sofas located at sides have the total view of the street.
Ornamental hand made chisel decorations can be seen all over the house
The windows of the house which were designed in a special way are long and narrow. There are wooden coges at the windows.There are usually a lot of windows although it differs according to the size of the room. This way more can be seen from the inside and the house looks better from the outside. Some of the big rooms total of eight windows ( four at one side and four at the other side ), The number of the windows is quite high for a house . The curtains at the windows are white, laced and hand crafted. Safranbolu Granted Honorary Award for Preservation of World Heritage
Karabuk, TURKEY, January 15, 2004 - Safranbolu county of Karabuk, a Western Black Sea city, was granted an honorary award in the World Heritage Cities Symposium held in Rhodes. Safranbolu took its place among 20 cities awarded for preserving world heritage from a pool of 220 cities. While Safranbolu was granted the honorary award, its mayor, Nihat Cebeci, was granted an award in the category of preservation of the city's texture. Saying Safranbolu won the greatest of awards just by being in the World Heritage, Cebeci added: "We are one of the municipalities with the most projects across all of Turkey. Istanbul is on the world heritage list only for its historical places, while Safranbolu is in the list as the entire city." www.zaman.com |
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Turkish delight at Eurovision win
Turkey's Sertab Erener won the contest
Turkey have won the Eurovision Song Contest, after a fiercely-fought contest with Russia's Tatu and Belgium's Urban Trad.
The UK's entry Jemini - duo Chris Cromby, 21, and Jemma Abbey, 20 - had the ignominy of being the only entry to score no points. It is the worst performance in the UK's Eurovision history.
The UK's previous lowest performance was in 2000, when it was placed 16th.
Controversial Russian duo Tatu, the bookies' favourites, came third and their performance, which featured a kiss, was jeered by some spectators in the arena.
Turkey's Sertab Erener won with the song Every Way That I Can, with Belgium in second place and Tatu in third.
Erener is one of Turkey's most popular singers, with album sales of over four million.
Terry Wogan, who hosted the UK coverage of the event on BBC One, said: "I think the UK is suffering from post-Iraq backlash."
Tatu had been the favourite to win the competition all week.
They sang Don't Believe, Don't Fear, Don't Ask, a Russian language song, to boos from the 6,000-strong crowd at Riga's Skonto Hall.
Despite threats they might take to the stage naked, the pair - Lena Katina and Julia Volkova - sang their song dressed in jeans and white t-shirts.
Jemini are the duo Chris Cromby and Jemma Abbey
They had already been warned by contest organisers about being late for rehearsals, and that their stage performance could not contravene the show's strict guidelines.
Under Eurovision rules, voters in each of the countries could ring or text their votes for any country other than their own. Bosnia-Hercegovina and Russia used jury votes because of their countries' poor telecommunications.
Ireland's Mickey Joe Harte was the third performer of the night with his song We've Got the World Tonight, after Iceland's Birgitta and Austria's outlandish cabaret performer Alf Poier.
A poll on the official Eurovision website asking the public which act they thought their country would vote for had Spain's entry, Beth, in top place on Friday.
Tatu were in second and Turkey in third.
Latvia hosted the event after 22-year-old law student Marija Naumova won last year's event in Tallinn, Estonia.
'Unique event'
The contest, held at Riga's 6,000-capacity Skonto Hall, was the biggest indoor concert held in Latvia's history.
The country of 2.4 million people hailed the show, which was expected to be watched by more than 160 million people, as a unique event.
"It's important for us as a small country to prove we can do something like this," said Solvita Vevere, a spokeswoman from Latvia's Eurovision organising committee.
Latvia paid half of the 6.9 m needed to run the event.
Millions more were spent on the city, including a full renovation of the Skonto Hall.
BBC NEWS
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EU-fanatic Turks
Celebrations will be held on Friday for the Europe Day on May 4. House of Europe President Ruchan Isik said that Turks, who were the biggest national group living in the EU borders, became the 16th member of EU with their contribution of 68.9 billion Euros to the Gross National Product of the Union.
Isik also said that the highest Europe consciousness was observed in Turkey (when compared to the new members and candidate countries), where 80% of the Turkish people supported the membership.
May 2003
Hurriyetim
Are we European?
By Oktay Eksi
We can not come to an agreement about the political and cultural identity of Turkey for years, with Claude-Jean Bertrand, who is a retired French professor and a well-known figure about media ethics in the world. I have been saying that Turkey was a European country and he has been telling me that we were not. I received a message from him on Tuesday and he said, Dear Oktay, as you remember I have been telling you that Europe was an issue of family and it was impossible to enter a family by voicing some objections based on reason like, It is unfair to exclude us. But I frankly say now that I am very happy with Turkey's placement in the first rank in Eurovision because this is an indication for the acceptance to the family, just as the evaluation of Russia and Israel as European countries.
Sertab Erener did not only win a music competition, but also got an identity card from the European public opinion for Turkey. Music is the mirror of your -personal and national- identity. You can not like arabesque on one hand and become European at the same time. In short, Sertab Erener can only grow up in an environment that adopted the Western culture and for this reason it is the success of the Kemalist Turkey.
I answered Claude-Jean Bertrand that, Dear Prof. Bertran. I am still against emotional evaluation of results, which will be attained by reason. I am happy that Sertab Erener proved my opinion with her success.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
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Anzacs Give a Peace Message During the Dawn Ritual
Canakkale, TURKEY, April 26, 2003 - The 88th anniversary of April 25, 1915, the date of the beginning of the landing of the Anzac Forces at Canakkale (The Dardanelles) during WW I, was commemorated by the Anzacs with the 'Dawn Ritual'. Nearly 5 thousand Anzacs attended the ceremony held at the 'Anzac Cove' location in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) peninsula this morning.
Activities for the day began at 5:30 am, the time when Anzacs had started the landing operation at Canakkalein 1915. Firstly, a priest prayed for those who died during Canakkale battles in the ceremony. Later, representatives of countries who took part in the battles laid wreaths at the Anzac Monument, and National Anthems of Turkey, Australia and New Zealand were played. Anzacs gave peace and friendship messages as they do every year. Governor of New Zealand Silvia Cartwright, Australia Minister of Treasury Peter Costello and on behalf of Turkey, Deputy Governor of Canakkale Huseyin Avni participated in the ceremonies. New Zealand Governor-General Cartwright said that after the Canakkale wars, a new national feeling and bonding, which still exists today , were created between Australia and New Zealand. Stating everyone mourned for the brave young people who died in the battlefields Cartwright went on: "It is forgotten why they have fought each other. The important thing is that they were brave when they faced death and they endured terribly tough conditions, yet remained loyal to each other. Canakkale Battles and Gelibolu had been bitter lessons for New Zealand and Australia."
Mustafa Ozge, Muzaffer Altunay / Canakkale / TURKEY
Turks push Anzac Cove heritage bid
By Luke Slattery
June 28, 2003
www.theaustralian.news.com.au
TURKEY is campaigning through diplomatic channels to give World Heritage status to Anzac Cove for its "moral" value.
If successful, the World Heritage citation would make of Gallipoli a cautionary tale in many languages, giving it similar status to Hiroshima.
The move might at first seem odd about 150,000 soldiers from both sides lost their lives over eight months of fighting in the Dardanelles invasion of 1915.
But the Turkish case rests as much on the war itself as the manner in which the former combatants have forged a special bond over the graves of their fallen, with Anzac Cove as a symbolic focus.
"Many countries have invaded Turkey over the centuries," the Turkish ambassador, Tansu Okandan, told The Weekend Australian yesterday. "But in only one case have we allowed the foreign power to give its own name to a part of Turkey. That case is Anzac Cove."
He said he had discussed the proposed World Heritage listing with both the Howard Government and his own superiors in Ankara. "It's an idea embraced by the Turkish Government because of Gallipoli's great importance to both Turkey and Australia, and also for the old world nations.
"It is unique in the world that two countries are able to put aside resentments and have a mutual understanding and respect on the basis of a past war in which they were both on opposite sides. To this extent it sends a powerful message to the world for peace and mutual respect."
BHP executive Tom Harley, chairman of the Australian Heritage Commission, said he supported the Turkish proposal. "It would take the Gallipoli story beyond ownership of any one country," he said. "If it gives Gallipoli an international significance that makes all people reflect on war, then that can't be a bad thing."
The commission regards Anzac Cove as one of the premier sites on a new national heritage list to be developed after public consultation.
The Turkish Government had been consulted over this proposal to place an Australian heritage site in Turkey, he said. The tone of the modern Turkish-Australian relationship was set by the Turkish president, Kemal Ataturk, who commanded the defences at Gallipoli. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the campaign, in 1935, Ataturk wrote:
"You the mothers/ who sent their sons from faraway countries/ Wipe away your tears./ Your sons are now lying in our bosom/ and are in peace./ After having lost their lives on this land they have/ become our sons as well."
The lines appear at the entrance to the Gallipoli park.
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CHILDREN UNDER RUBLE
Turkey quake traps children
Thursday, May 1, 2003 Posted: 10:11 AM EDT (1411 GMT)
BINGOL, Turkey (CNN) -- At least 100 schoolchildren are feared trapped under the remains of their four-story school dormitory in southeastern Turkey following a powerful earthquake.
At least 85 people in the city of Bingol were killed and at least 430 others injured in the quake, Turkish officials said.
Turkey's minister of public works said he expects the death toll to rise to 150.
"May God save us from the worst," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who toured Bingol Thursday.
The quake measured a magnitude of 6.4, according to the Kandilli Observatory, the largest in Turkey. It happened at 3:27 a.m. Thursday (8:27 p.m. Wednesday ET) and was centered in Bingol.
According to Bingol Mayor Feyzullah Karaaslan, 25 buildings collapsed in the city when the quake hit, including a dormitory at the Celtiksuyu boarding school, housing more than 190 students at the time of the quake.
Rescue workers were able to save 71 students, but at least 25 died under the rubble and about 100 were still trapped hours later.
Onlookers cheered as one 12-year-old boy was rescued from the wreckage. (Eyewitness reports)
The quake was followed by more than 70 aftershocks, which CNN Turk's Fatih Turkmenoglu described as minor. "None of the aftershocks were really powerful," he said. "Turkish people are very much used to the earthquakes."
The quake also cut power to the city.
"We have collapsed buildings and people trapped under them. We hope to keep the loss of life to a minimum," Huseyin Cos, governor of Bingol province, told CNN Turk.
Shortly before leaving Ankara for Bingol, Erdogan said: "All of our state organizations and the Red Crescent are now in Bingol. There are some more reaching the town and some on their way to Bingol from Ankara."
Bingol is a small and underdeveloped city with few high-rises and not much heavy industry. Officials warned residents to stay away from their homes for fear of collapse.
Magnitude 6.4 earthquakes are classified as "strong" quakes, capable of causing much damage, especially in areas of poor construction.
In 1999, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Turkey near the Sea of Marmara, killing more than 18,000 people. Poor construction standards were blamed for the large number of deaths. | Five Dead Bodies Hugging One Another | | |
The death toll in the collapse of the 11-story "Zumrut Apartment" building in Konya, rose to 48. According to the Konya Governor there are still 85 people under debris. 5 dead bodies extracted yesterday morning were hugging each other. This picture upset everyone.
Meanwhile, the new Turkish Penal Law (TCK), which is still pending, increases the punishment, that will be given in the cases of death because of weak buildings. Both contractors and the authorities responsible for controlling the building will receive prison sentences of 20-25 years in such cases.
However, at the moment, the gravest prison sentence that Ali Vedat Kaya and Ismail Canlier, the contractors of the Zumrut building, will receive is 5 years.
February 6, 2004 www.hurriyet.com.tr |
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BIG LOOTING!
The government will allow construction of buildings in SIT areas at a ratio of 6% in the framework of the motion it prepared to provide new sources for the state. Once the law is brought into force, constructions will be possible on natural SIT areas under protection like Oludeniz and Gelibolu, even if at low density.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
Sezer Second Time Vetoes Sell of Deforested Land Amendment
TURKEY, August 15, 2003 - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has second time vetoed the article about regulating sell of the deforested lands.
[Bureaucratic State] Healing mineral water flows unitentionally for 34 years
Eskisehir, Turkey, June 15, 2003 - Turkey, a country considered to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world in regard to mineral water resources, has been unsuccessful in putting those resources to good use. One such source is the Lacin mineral water in Lacin, a Saricakay village of Eskisehir. The Lacin mineral water, scientifically determined to aid in the treatment of many illnesses, has streamed untapped for 34 years because of bureaucratic obstructions.
Lacin water was first opened to administration in 1960, governed by a firm for 9 years and recognized as the most preferred mineral water in the country. Mineral water analyses conducted by Ministry of Health and Social Charity Refik Saydam Hifzissiha Management, determined that the Lacin water is therapeutic for illnesses including kidney discomfiture, digestion, chronic rheumatism and stomach problems. The water was defined as colorless, scentless and containing a unique gas ratio. The flow of the mineral water was rated at 29.8 tons per day.
The administrator of the governing firm left his position in 1969 due to bureaucratic obstructions. Further development has been hindered by the fact that Lacin mineral water is under the authority of three different institutions: City Private Administration, the Treasury Ministry and the Ministry of Forestry. Prof. Dr. Muammer Kaya, Osmangazi, manager of the University of Technological Research Centre, complained about the bureaucratic quagmire that governs Turkey's mineral waters, pointing out that the present system strongly hampers distribution of the water. Eskisehir Private Administration Manager Hikmet Kaygicioglu stated that, in recent years, some firms placed bids on Lacin Mineral Water, only to later back out of the projects because of bureaucratic obstructions.
Hamza Erdogan / Eskisehir / Turkey
Demirel: I Would Have Won Referendum
Regarding the controversies on the sale of deforested lands, known as 2B, Former President Suleyman Demirel told Hurriyet, "I would have won such a referendum, if I propagandized for that.
There are 8 million villagers living in the near vicinity of forests, 3 million others are living right in the forests. You should nourish affection for the people of this country as well as for the forests. I do not see any reason to veto it."
On the Iraqi war Demirel said, "Here is the Bush doctrine: "I should hit him before he hits me. All nations of the world are either with us or against us." Then he looked for the convicts of the September 11 incident, but he could not find them. This made him to strive for showing his strength. However he could not find Osama Bin Laden. This did not satisfy both himself and the U.S. administration. He should have found someone to blame; he found Iraq. The Americans invaded the country but they could not find mass destruction weapons, which were shown as the pretext for the war. For the first time in world history the reason for a war is being sought after the war ended.
"Hitting Iraq is a part of a greater plan, which is this: Terrorism will continue to be a big problem, it is impossible to totally remove it. According to them, the source of terrorism is radical Islam and fundamentalism. Therefore they say that the Middle East should be reformed. Then, their aim is citing Iraq as an example and making the region democratic in 20-30 years. When implementing this plan, they will establish good relations even with Iran. However U.S. is a strange country, after an election they may give up this plan."
On Turco-American relations Demirel said, "It will take at least 30 years for U.S. to leave this region. If she is to remain here for 30 years, having good relations with U.S. is to the advantage of Turkey. However this does not necessitate for us to be the 53rd state of her."
August 25, 2003
hurriyetim.com.tr
Is Bank Builds a Town on 2B Fields
Istanbul, TURKEY, September 02, 2003 - Is Bank, run partly by the Republican People's Party (CHP), is to build a villa-city complex, called Villakent on an area of land including the 2B fields. In the project, a collaboration between Is Bank and Koray Construction, with the joint title Is-Koray, 750 villas will be built on a 2 million square meter field. The CHP, which has opposed the sale of deforested lands, also known as the 2B proposal, has a 29 percent share in the bank and four members in the bank's board of directors.
Villakent General Manager Atilla Yalcin confirmed that some of the fields they had were 2B fields. Yalcin said they had planned to buy the fields, which became 2B after the law was passed. The town will be built on 251,000 square meters of 2B fields. The first of the three-phase project, consisting of 249 residences, has been completed. The construction of the second phase has started.
The large field needed for the establishment of Villakent, was obtained through various methods. Sections of the land were acquired from three companies, with Is Bank credit, which they failed to repay. Koray Construction bought portions of the land. 2B fields were also bought from numerous villagers. The CHP condoned Is Bank's assistance in the purchase of the land.
CHP Secretary General Mehmet Sevigen said that his party appointed executive board members according to Ataturk's will and that the CHP did not interfere in the bank's affairs. He said, "Is Bank's operations do not concern us". According to title deed records, the Is-Koray partnership, established in 1999, bought 251,391 square meters of 2B fields in the same year.
www.zaman.com |
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Writer Pamuk lands Impac prize
Turkish author Orhan Pamuk has won one of the world's richest book prizes, The International Impac Dublin Literary Award 2003.
Pamuk's novel My Name Is Red landed the 100,000 euros prize - the biggest for a single work of fiction in English.
His complex murder mystery set during the reign of the Ottaman Sultan, Murat III, was chosen from a shortlist of eight by an international panel of judges.
Nominations are made by more than 150 libraries in 40 countries, with Dublin City Public Libraries administering the prize.
Pamuk's work was "timeless and timely", said the judges Describing Pamuk's book as "a work of intense beauty", the judges praised it as being "intelligent, witty and stylish".
"It is a rare tour de force of literary imagination and philosophical speculation," said a spokesman for the judges.
"Pamuk's writing is as elegant and multi-faceted as the story he narrates."
The judging panel included writers Morgan Llywelyn, Deirdre Madden and Amritjit Singh.
Pamuk was nominated by libraries in Bonn, Geneva and Hartford in the US.
He beat competition from writers such as Ireland's John McGahern, Jonathan Franzen and Ann Patchett from the US and Per Olov Enquist of Sweden.
Istanbul-based Pamuk, the author of six novels, has received a number of Turkish and international literary prizes.
His work has been translated into more than 20 languages.
My Name Is Red was translated from the Turkish by Erdag Goknar, who is rewarded with 25,000 euros of the total prize money.
Pamuk will receive his prize from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Dermot Lacey, at Dublin City Hall on 14 June.
First Turkish Painting Enters EU
Brussels, BELGIUM, June 20, 2003 - Turkey takes its place in Europe with painting now, where it climbed to the top with Galatasaray in sports and Sertab Erener in music.
The painting of famous Turkish painter Burhan Dogancay named "Respect for Calligraphy" was presented as a gift to the European Parliament (EP) in a ceremony held yesterday. Thus, after a careful selection process, for the first time, the artifact of a Turkish painter has entered into a rich EP collection consisting of the artifacts of the European artists. Dogancay's work will be in exhibit permanently. The painting of Dogancay, who has been living in the United States for 40 years, was given as a present to the EP with the contributions of a Turkish origin member of EP Ozan Ceyhun and Turkey's EU Ambassador Oguz Demiralp. Dogancay made a statement to Zaman that his painting was the second Turkish artifact being exhibited in an international institution after Bedri Rahmi's work which had taken place in (a) NATO (exhibition) for the first time. Stating that he took his inspiration from walls, Dogancay said, "I want an EU without walls." The famous painter pointed out that the only way for Turkey to enter the EU would be through culture.
Selcuk Gultasli / Brussels / BELGIUM
www.zaman.com
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