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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.jp and www.amazon.com for $ 6.00 now! CLICK ON ABOVE PICTURE! LONG BEACH CHURCH SIGN CALLED OFFENSIVE
Associated Press, 9/12/02
LONG BEACH, Miss. - Many say the message on the magnetic sign at Cleveland Avenue Church of Christ is less than spiritual.
It reads, "There is one God, and His name is not Allah." The sign is causing an uproar in this Gulf Coast community. Several residents, including members of the church, are offended by the sign. They see it as an attack on the Islam faith and is inappropriate, especially with the passing of the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The minister of the church, the Rev. Dan Huggins, maintains that he was only trying to challenge people, not antagonize them.
Patti Young lives in Long Beach and saw the sign for the first time Sunday night.
"It was so hurtful and I couldn't believe it," she said. "I feel like it's not showing unity; it's showing division."
Young called Huggins and begged him to take down the sign. She said he refused. Huggins said Wednesday that God and Allah are not the same because Muslims don't believe in the Holy Trinity.
Hoyt White retired as the church's minister three years ago but remains a member. He called the sign "embarrassing."
"It's very upsetting and I think it's in poor taste," he said.
Mustafa Kemal Ozturk has lived in Biloxi since 1990. He is a Muslim.
He said he hasn't seen the church sign, but said whoever put it up is small-minded.
"There is only one God, no matter what you call him," Ozturk said. "These types of things should not be happening. The American people must come together. This is a very small difference." 13 New Corridors in Aegean Airspace | | The problems between Greece and Turkey over the airspace of the Aegean were solved through negotiations. The talks in Paris, which were carried out under the coordination of the International Civil Aviation Organization, resulted in the decision to open 13 new air corridors over Aegean. The corridors will be operational by December 25. Huseyin Dirioz, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said that the arrangement would increase air traffic between Turkey and Greece by at least 10-fold and would be important for the security of the flights. |
www.hurriyet.com.tr December 12, 2003 Two Explosions in Istanbul: 20 Dead, At Least 257 Injured
Istanbul, TURKEY, November 15, 2003 - Two explosions in two separate neighborhoods of Istanbul have killed 20 and injured at least 257 people. The explosions occurred at about 9:00 a.m. local time. Ambulances and rescue teams are on the scene. One explosion was near the Neve Shalom synagogue in Sisli neighborhood. The other was in Beyoglu. The causes of the blasts are unknown and contradictory statements are being given. Emergency rooms in the Taksim area are full with the injured and some have been transferred to other hospitals. It was reported that 30 injured persons were taken to Sisli Etfal Hospital and 40 to Taksim Research Hospital. Sisli Etfal Hospital head Prof. Yuksel Altintas informed that 28 of the injured were at the hospital and only one of them is in serious condition. 20 of them will be treated as outpatients. www.zaman.com November 20, 2003. They did again! Within 5 days more than 50 people killed... This is not Istanbul we love...
YOGA IN LYCIA AUTUMN 2003 :
 Come to the beautiful Lycian region of southern Turkey this autumn, while the sun still shines and skies are blue. Stay in Montenegro, a truly luxurious complex of accommodation, restaurants, gardens and swimming pools nestled in the foothills of the Taurus mountains. Practice yoga daily under expert guidance. Unwind, relax and rediscover yourself. Many other activities (horse-riding, cycling, walking) are available - and the beach (5km. away) is easily reached by Montenegro minibus. We include a visit to the ruins of Phaselis on the coast, set amongst pine trees, spread around three picturesque bays and offering a romantic glimpse of ancient Roman life. You might also visit Olympos, an equally enchanting ruined city, which will make you feel a bit like Indiana Jones. The burning rocks of Chimaera are spectacular at night as natural gas flows from. www.gototurkey.co.uk | | Security Director Refused 150-Thousand-Dollar Bribe
Kadikoy Security Director Hulusi Celik refused to receive 150 thousand dollars of bribe from a gang. Moreover, he videotaped the incident and captured those, who attempted to bribe him. A fuel-oil-gang, which buys cheap diesel oil from ships passing through the Bosphorus and then earns trillions on it by selling in the market, attempted to bribe Kadikoy Security Director Hulusi Celik.
Incirlik Airforce Base Serves 2,000 Guest Troops
TURKEY, January 16, 2004 - New arrangements have been made for the Incirlik Base, in use as a rotation transit point for U.S. troops who are on duty in Iraq, and accordingly, 2,000 troops will be served at the Base. Major Jennifer Newsome of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division said earlier today that the U.S. troops face difficulties in Iraq and the Base is like a haven for them-- they are pleased with the new arrangement. |
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| Berlusconi Seeks a Media Group in Turkey | | Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi's media group Mediaset announced that they were looking for media groups in different countries, including Turkey, for making investments. The CEO of Mediaset, Marco Giordani, said that Mediaset was looking for a media group to buy, in Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Moreover Giordani stated that Mediaset's Spanish partner Telecinco will open to public in the summer of 2004. Mediset is the leading media group in Italy. It has 60% of advertisement incomes of total advertisement pie in Italy and 45% of ratings in TV sector. Meanwhile Rupet Murdoch who had never invested in continental Europe, is preparing to invest in Italy. www.hurriyet.com.tr March 25, 2004 | Analyzing the Final Annan Plan | | By SEDAT ERGIN The Annan Plan presented by Annan as Either solution or stalemate bring a new order to Cyprus. 2 Official Languages, 4 Flags, 3 National Anthems The Cyprus Republic will have two official languages; Greek and Turkish. Usage of English for official purposes will be regulated by law. Official gazette will be published in both languages. Political Equality The Annan Plan states that the relationship between the two sides is not a minority-majority relation but a relationship based on political equality. In fact, there is numerical equality between two sides in the majority of federal organs. The United Cyprus Republic will consist of a Greek Cypriot State and a Turkish Cypriot State, the two equal and independent partners. Cyprus will have a single international identity and sovereignty. Turkish Cypriots in EU before Turkey Once the Plan is passed in the Referenda on April 24, the founder Turkish state will also join EU. In this case, a Moslem Turkish society will be admitted to EU for the first time in the union's history. 19-Year Restriction to Greeks The Greek Cypriots to come to the North are subjected to a 19-year calendar. According to this, Greek Cypriots will not be able to return finally to the North within the first 5 years. Then, there will be gradual returns. Until the end of 19 years (Or until Turkey's EU membership), the rate of Greeks in the North will not exceed 18 % of the population in the North. After this threshold, the rate of Greeks could increase up to 33 maximum. In the Karpaz special zone, the residents of Greek villages and those who had to move to the North in 1974 and are at the age of 65, will be kept apart from restriction. 50 Thousand Turks to be Displaced The most strained part of the Plan for Turks is about land arrangements. The land belonging to Turks will fall from 36.4 % to 28.6 %. 65 settlements, including the fertile Guzelyurt, will be handed to Greek Cypriots. The Turkish side calculated that this will leave at least 55 thousand Turks homeless. According to UN, this figure is 46 thousand. Only after Turks settle in their new homes within 3 years, Greeks will replace them. Finance by U.S. and EU A conference will be organized for donations from U.S. and EU countries this month. The money to be gathered in a pool will be spent for the construction of homes for Turks. April 2, 2004 www.hurriyetim.com.tr Link: http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,sid~381@nvid~392583,00.asp |
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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!
MORE NEWS FROM ONLY FROM TURKEY? CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: http://english.sabah.com.tr/
| | | | Every four years, football (soccer) experts make their predictions about what team they think will go all the way to the World Cup Championship. But never before has an author so boldly written about the unknown results of this great sporting event, until Umut Ozturk (Author of America Hates Me, But I Still Love Her!). (PRWEB) June 16, 2005 -- Every four years, football (soccer) experts make their predictions about what team they think will go all the way to the World Cup Championship. But never before has an author so boldly written about the unknown results of this great sporting event, until Umut Ozturk, Author of America Hates Me, But I Still Love Her! (www.amazon.com)
In author Ozturk’s spellbinding speculative fiction, Three Lions Roar: A Novel of World Cup 2006, England embarks upon the road to the World Cup trophy forty years after they last reached the ultimate victory. While this new English football team lacks the legendary Bobby Charlton, it makes up for the loss with two new heroes. These two men, coach Robbie Kiel and captain Josh Roark, lead their team to new heights and develop a bond that runs deeper than either man could imagine. Their lives become intertwined not only through their passion for football, but by their relationship as father and son. Yet this fact remains unbeknownst to both Robbie and Josh. Only Katie Roark, Robbie’s lost love and Josh’s mother, knows the truth. This secret connects the three characters while they struggle not only in the world of football, but also to simply live life.
As England’s team moves closer and closer to the championship, the lives of Robbie, Josh, and Katie become inextricably entangled. The excitement of football and the drama of everyday living build to a thrilling climax that will bring glory back to English football and forever change their three lives.
In unprecedented fashion, Umut Ozturk takes us through the World Cup experience from beginning to end. Ozturk’s wonderful writing style and enchanting story will captivate everyone from the reader with no previous knowledge about football to the hardcore sports fan. This story is football with heart, in every sense of the word.
Three Lions Roar: A Novel of World Cup 2006 is at the Internet book stores.
THE BEST FOOTBALL (SOCCER) BOOK EVER! Soccer Blog, July 2005 THREE LIONS ROAR: A NOVEL OF WORLD CUP 2006 is at 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! |
Troops Will Go to Iraq in October
According to diplomatic sources, even if Turkey decided to send troops to Iraq this could only be accomplished in October.
Before the dispatch, a delegation of Foreign Ministry, MIT Undersecretariat and General Staff will go to Iraq next week to analyze the possible reaction of the Iraqi public to the Turkish troops. Moreover, a delegation, composed of the representatives of Iraqi tribes will reportedly come to Turkey next week.
Contact with Tribes
The sources stated that the representatives of the Council of Tribes, composed of 9 tribes, and of the Ubeydi Tribe, which is the sole Arab tribe of Kirkuk, would contact Foreign Ministry officials in Ankara. The offer to meet belongs to the tribes. These representatives will explain their views regarding the Turkish soldiers.
Mission To Iraq
On the other hand, a mission composed of officials from the Foreign Ministry, MIT Undersecretariat and the General Staff will reportedly go to Iraq next week to examine the conditions. Another mission composed of deputies may also go to Iraq in the upcoming days.
11 Questions in Questionnaire
There reportedly are 11 questions in the questionnaire sent by Turkey to U.S. on the issue of sending Turkish troops to Iraq. Diplomatic sources stated that the issues regarding the commandment and location of the Turkish troops were not clarified yet.
No To Sending Troops To Iraq Campaign
National Union of Power, composed of 6 political parties launched a signature campaign entitled 'No to Sending Troops to Iraq.' www.hurriyet.com
Group urges U.S. to pull troops out of Iraq
Thursday, August 14, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Susan Schuman's son writes home from Iraq complaining of poor living conditions, skimpy water rations and dozens of daily attacks on U.S. troops that go unreported.
The mother of a Massachusetts National Guardsman stationed in Iraq since March, Schuman has joined others -- longtime pacifists, military veterans and parents with children on extended deployments -- in a campaign to bring them home.
"Our soldiers are demoralized. They are fighting an illegal and unjustified war," Schuman said at a news conference Wednesday introducing the campaign, Bring Them Home Now.
They want the U.S. occupation in Iraq to end, even if they disagree on how to take care of the war-ravaged country.
"I want to bring them all home now and let the Iraqi people determine the future of Iraq," said Stan Goff of Raleigh, North Carolina, a military veteran whose son is serving in Iraq.
The campaign's name is a twist on President Bush's comment at a July news conference. Responding to attacks on U.S. forces, Bush taunted: "Bring 'em on."
The utterance was criticized as an encouragement for violence against American troops.
Set up as a resource for military members while sending a political message, the campaign was initiated by groups including Military Families Speak Out and Veterans for Peace. It unites the anti-war crowd with those increasingly disenchanted with the U.S. occupation.
With no weapons of mass destruction yet found and steady reports of American troop deaths, the campaign has received more support from military families who initially backed the war, but are now asking why their country went there in the first place, said Charley Richardson, whose Marine son returned from Iraq in May.
The campaign started last month and now receives dozens of e-mails everyday, Richardson said. Not all of the messages are favorable, with some writers accusing the group of undermining troop morale by questioning the war and reconstruction efforts.
Organizers are urging people to press their senators and representatives to bring troops home.
Nearly 150,000 U.S. military personnel are currently in Iraq.
President Sezer vetoes 2B Law
Instead of calling for a referendum, President Sezer vetoed the Constitutional amendment paving way to "Sell lands which ceased to be forests."
This has been the second veto of the President, of the law, which is dubbed as the 2B Law. The President also vetoed for the second time, the amendment paving way for pulling down the age of eligibility in being elected, from 30 to 25.
On the last day which he was required to make his decision on the amendment, President Sezer vetoed the controversial law prepared by the government to sell forsets.In his move, the President effectively blocked the move of the government to exclude alder trees and grafted chesnut trees from the scope of "Forest trees."
In his justification, President Sezer said that "Fields in the nature of forests were used for long years by the political powers for political purposes. As a consequence, forests which have to be managed to the public benefit of our country , turned into lands used arbitrarily. The recent (demanded) amendment is an attempt to render constitutional legality to this actual situation, whose intention is to earn money.
"The sale of the areas which totally ceased being forests and excluded from the scope of these, is equal to award those responsible of these acts, This move, if implemented, will encourage the total annihilation of forests and cause further forest destruction.
"Placing priority to those using the areas excluded from forests, in selling these forests, will trigger the looting of forests and create hopes for those constructing illegal houses, for another amnesty. "
The President stressed that "These behaviors are crime according to the Forests Law. It paves way to sell the forests to those who deliberately destroyed them and therefore is against the principles of the state of law. "
By vetoing the law twice , in spite of the obstinate and persistent efforts of the government, Sezer has effectively made a last warning to the government. If the Government sends the same law to him for a third time, Sezer will most likely place it into a referendum this time.
Meanwhile, the AKP government which had earlier announced that it will call Parliament for an extraordinary session to tackle the vetoed law once more, is expected to do so to re-open Parliament in September. In such a session, the vetoed law and the permit to send troops to Iraq are expected to be handled together. August 16, 2003
Veto Tension at Summit Of State
The tension between Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, which became visible especially after Sezer's veto on the Constitutional amendment paving way to the sale of deforested lands known as 2B, escalated.
Erdogan cancelled his regular meeting with Sezer, which was supposed to be held today, with a statement reading, The meeting of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, which was announced to be held tomorrow (today), was cancelled because of the National Security Board (MGK) meeting, which will be held on Friday.
After the Cabinet meeting, which was held in Sakarya, Erdogan had stated that the amendment would be passed from Parliament in its present form and sent back to Cankaya. Erdogan had said, 'I do not understand why Mr. President vetoed the law.'
August 21, 2003
Historical Agreement in Aegean Sea
Turkey and Greece have signed an agreement to create a new traffic network over the Aegean Sea to facilitate the air traffic on the Aegean Sea during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization of U.N., the agreement "Increases aviation capacity and improves the level of security in the region."
The agreement which was dubbed as "Historical" by the organization will be effective on December 25.
Turkey and Greece have disputes over the Aegean on such issues as FIR Line and Continental Shelf. At the Helsinki summit of EU in December 1999, Turkey had agreed to apply to the High Justice Court in the Hague, in case the two countries failed to settle their problems over the Aegean by the end of 2004.
The current government is also carrying out contacts with Greece, to solve these problems.
September 16, 2003
www.hurriyetim.com.tr Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Sirin Ebadi, an Iranian feminist female attorney. Ebadi, who wears Islamic headgear in her country, unveils her head abroad. The authoritarian regime of Iran became the number one item on the agenda of the world all at once. The Nobel Peace Prize was bestowed to Sirin Ebadi, an Iranian feminist attorney, who struggles for human rights and democracy. Ebadi became the first Moslem women and first Iranian, that was awarded this prize and the choice of the Nobel Committee was appreciated by the whole world. Almost all of the prominent actors of international arena - from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to EU - deemed this choice as "perfect." Ole Danbolt Mjoes, the Chairman of the Nobel Committee, said that this decision of the committee was a message to the world. Mjoes said; This is a message for the Iranian people, Moslems, and for the entire world regarding the value of human, struggle for freedom, and women's and children's rights. We hope that this peace prize will reinforce the human rights struggle in Iran. Ebadi, who learned in Paris that she won the prize, said; This award does not belong to me only. It belongs to everyone, who works for democracy and peace in Iran. Ebadi called for the political prisoners in Iran to be freed and that; Islam is not in conflict with human rights and all Moslems should be proud of this award. You see nothing in Koran that contradicts with human rights. Ebadi, who said that she was against any external intervention to Iran, gained 1.32 million dollars with this award. Ebadi, who is 56 now, became the first female judge of Iran in 1974, when she was 27. However after the Islam revolution in 1979, mullahs decided that women could not undertake her job because of their "nature" and Ebadi lost her job. Nevertheless, Ebadi chose struggling instead of a self-exile and started to give law lectures in the Teheran University. Ebadi fought to change laws on divorcing, heritage, and family in Iran. She became the unofficial spokesperson of the women, who brought reformist Mohamed Khatemi into power in 1997. She was sentenced to imprisonment because of the cases she undertook as an attorney and her license was cancelled. Ebadi is married, with two daughters aged 20 and 23. | | The Fener War of Patriarch | | | Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos is waging a war against the Greek Church which claimed that they were under pressure in Turkey. The crisis between the Greek Patriarchate in Fener, Istanbul and the Greek Church over the appointment of the bishop of Selanik, turned into a war. Bartholomeos got furious upon accusations that he was "A servant of the Istanbul Government and a Turkish agent."
Patriarch Bartholomeos said that "The governor of Istanbul does not interfere into us. We are functioning in full freedom. They want to seize the Patriarchate by declaring me a traitor. We shall defend the rights of this Patriarchate, until the last bit of our blood."
The Patriarch told a Greek TV That "There are plans to affiliate Northern Greece to the Greek Church. I will not allow such a thing. I want peace but also am ready to war if they call me for that." www.hurriyetim.com.tr October 19, 2003 | "I Saw Him Banging His Fist On The Table" | | | SPD Deputy: Schroder Is Determined About Turkey's EU Membership, I Saw Him Banging His Fist On The Table. Lale Akgun, a Turkish-origin German Social Democrat Party (SPD) deputy, told Hurriyet that German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroder was sincere about Turkey's membership to EU. Akgun said that reacting at those opposing Turkey's membership, Schroder banged his fist on the table, saying that "This is our debt to Turkey!" Akgun said, "Prime Minister Schroder and Olaf Scholz, the Secretary General of SPD, are sincere and honest about their desire to see Turkey as an EU member. I have no doubt about that. We, as a party, support Turkey's full membership. PM Schroder repeatedly voiced this in our meetings. I personally witnessed that he asserted, against those who objected to Turkey's membership, that "We should give this chance to Turkey. This our duty!" Let us tell this, SPD, and hence the German government, will be supporting a Turkey, which accomplished necessary reforms, in 2004." Regarding the view of German deputies about Turkey, Akgun said that there was no full consensus among them and that, "Governing parties approach to Turkey's membership warmly, while opposition parties do not share the same view. Those, who object to Turkey's membership, are in majority in CDU-CSU group. Nevertheless there are those in this group, who support Turkey. Moreover, we also have one or two persons who object to the membership of Turkey." | Turkey Took One Step Upward In League Of Big Economies | | | According to the report of the IBRD, Turkey became the 19th-ranking biggest economy in the world with her 426 billion dollars of purchasing power parity in the Gross National Product (PPP-GNP) in 2002. Turkey was the 20th-ranking country in 2001. According to the latest data published by the IBRD, per capita income in Turkey increased by 290 dollars (5%) to 6 thousand 120 dollars and her PPP-GNP rose by 40 billion dollar (10.4%) in 2002. The first five countries in the list of big economies are U.S. China, Japan, India, and Germany. Turkey is expected to rise to 17th or 18th rank in the list of 2003. | Turkey Is Fourth-Ranking OECD Country In Unemployment | | | Turkey is the fourth-ranking country among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of unemployment. The first three countries are Poland, Slovak Republic, and Spain. The unemployment rate in Turkey in the first quarter of the year was 12.3%, since this rate fell to 10% in the second quarter, Turkey became the fourth-ranking country in unemployment, while she was the third in the first quarter. | Unakitan: Whole Sale Price Increase 16.5 % in 2003 | | | Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said that , in line with the falling trend of inflation, the wholesale prices index is expected to be 16.5 % and the consumer index below 20 % in 2003. Unakitan said that the 2004 budget complied with international standards. At a press conference briefing on the developments in the 2003 budget and the 2004 budget, Unakitan said that the budget was brought down to Parliament on July 17. The Minister said that the positive impact made by their financial discipline on the budget policy and macro economic developments was visible and that: "The growth rate in GNP had been minus 9.5 % in 2001, 7.8 % in 2002 and is expected to be 5 % or more in 2003 and is aimed to be 5 % in 2004. Our government aims at securing a sensible, stable and sustainable growth. We shall attain the 5 % growth easily in 2003. " He went on to say that the GNP of 176.5 quadrillion TL in 2001, will reach up to 357 quadrillion TL in 2003 and is planned to reach 419.7 quadrillion TL by 2004. Unakitan said that the estimated Dollar value in 2004 was 1 million 604 thousand TL. As for per capita income, Unakitan said that the figure wihch was 2.101 $ in 2001, rose to 2.609 $ in 2002, to 3.366 $ in 2003 and is expected to reach to 3.644 $ in 2004 and admitted that a significant growth has not been attained in the per capita GNP.
Unakitan set the estimated budget spending at 141 quadrillion TL and warned that "Our success in attaining the 2003 objectives does not mean that we are living in a rose garden and left all difficulties behind ." October 20, 2003 | Native American Funeral To Turkish Actress | | | The funeral of Derya Arbas, a Turkish actress, who died in Los Angeles because of heart attack although she was only 35, will be organized in line with Native American traditions, since the father of Arbas was a Native American. Zerrin Arbas, the mother of Derya Arbas said, "The funeral is being prepared by the friends of my daughter. Derya will be buried in the Oakwood cemetery near her father in line with the traditions of her father's tribe." | Bremer: Turkish Troops May Be Given Up | | | Los Angeles Times daily quoted Paul Bremer, the Civilian Administrator of U.S. in Iraq, as offering to give up the idea of sending Turkish troops to Iraq. The daily wrote that intensive efforts that the Bush administration spent to send Turkish troops to Iraq would prove to be futile. According to the daily, strong opposition of Iraqis would prevent these efforts and the advice of Bremer to give up the idea of sending Turkish troops to Iraq made some officials suspicious about the merit of this plan. The daily wrote; Rejecting this assistance, which was gained after a big effort, will be a great disappointment for U.S. Because, besides being a Moslem security force having great potential to be useful, Turkey was one of the few countries that are eager to send high number of troops. Los Angeles Times stressed that most of the opposition came from the Kurd members of the Iraqi Interim Governance Council and reminded the statements of a Turkish Foreign Ministry official, who told Reuters news agency on Monday that he did not think that Turkey would send troops to Iraq. The daily further wrote that U.S. might put the objection of Iraqi Kurds aside and seek compromise with another group, which wanted Turkish troops. | October 24, 2003 | News Credits: www.hurriyetim.com.tr | UEFA Blow on Turkey | | | UEFA ignored the state guarantee provided by Turkey and subdued to the British and Italian. Turkey was isolated. They played into terror's hands. UEFA decided that soccer matches of Turkish teams Besiktas and Galatasaray with British and Italian teams within the Giants League would be played in a neutral country. UEFA took a decision that will constitute a black mark in the history of football. It decided that soccer matches, in which Besiktas would compete British Chelsea and Galatasaray would play against Italian Juventus, should take place somewhere other than Turkey because of the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul. Until now, all European countries had declared that they supported Turkey vis-A -vis terrorism. However, the very same countries appealed to UEFA to change the place of matches and thereby depicted Turkey as if she was a country in which terror prevailed. More surprisingly than this, UEFA accepted their appeal. Following the attacks in Istanbul on November 20, UEFA postponed the Galatasaray-Juventus match, which should have taken place yesterday normally, to December 2. However, Italians were not satisfied with this decision and demanded that the match should take place somewhere else. On the other hand, since the British team Chelsea did not want to play against Besiktas in Istanbul, UEFA demanded state guarantee from the Turkish government for the security of the teams that would come to Turkey. The government extended this guarantee, however, so-called friends of Turkey were determined to alter the location of the matches. UEFA, that could not stand pressures, held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to re-tackle the issue and announced that Galatasaray-Juventus (December 2), Besiktas-Chelsea (December 9), and Maccabi Haifa (Israel)-Valencia (Spain) matches would be played in a country other than Turkey. The rationale behind the decision was expressed as the terrorist attacks in Istanbul on November 15 and 20 and ensuing security threat as a result of these. November 26, 2003 | One For Juventus One For UEFA | | | Galatasaray beat Italian Juventus in Dortmund, Germany with a score of 2-0. The match should normally have been played in Istanbul, however, following the terrorist attacks, Juventus had appealed to UEFA to shift the location of it. As UEFA accepted the appeal of the Italian team, the match in the Champion's League took place in a third country, Germany, in which Galatasaray defeated Juventus. The Turkish supporters of the Galatasaray hung posters during the match, saying that the stadium was Ali Sami Yen, the stadium in Istanbul which was supposed to host the match originally. December 3, 2003 http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,sid~381@nvid~342568,00.asp | | | | | | | |
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