Gagrule.net

Gagrule.net News, Views, Interviews worldwide

Moscow demands answers after Turkish Tyrant Erdogan vows to oust Assad

By

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (File Photo: AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (File Photo: AFP)

The Kremlin on Wednesday demanded an explanation after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara intervened in Syria solely to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkish forces are pressing on with a three month operation inside war-torn Syria in support of anti-Assad forces, while Russia is the chief ally of the Syrian president in the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives since 2011.

Yet Turkey and Russia have also been working hard to improve relations after clinching a reconciliation deal in June to repair ties brought to a historic low by Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian jet in November 2015.

Erdogan had said Tuesday at a meeting in Istanbul in support of the Palestinians: “We went in there to put an end to the rule of the tyrant Assad who carries out state terror, not for anything else.”

His comments came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to meet Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu for talks in the Turkish resort of Alanya on Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he hoped that “clarification will come shortly from our Turkish partners”.

Peskov said Erdogan’s comment “really came as news,” adding that it “is not in harmony with previous statements” and “not in harmony with our understanding of the situation”.

Turkey is waging the operation inside Syria against Islamic State (IS) militants and also Kurdish militia to back pro-Ankara rebels, in an unprecedented military incursion.

There has so far been no indication of clashes with Assad’s forces in the operation or that Turkey plans any offensive against regime-held territory.

Russia has generally steered clear of any sharp criticism of the Turkish offensive.

But the Turkish army accused the Syrian regime last week of launching an airstrike that killed four Turkish soldiers in Syria, the first time it has made such a claim during the incursion.

Erdogan has repeatedly pushed for the ouster of Assad as the only solution to end the Syrian civil war and had, until recently, vehemently criticised Russia’s military support for his forces and even accused President Vladimir Putin of “war crimes”.

But since the deal to normalise ties between Turkey and Russia, Ankara has been remarkably muted in its criticism of Russia’s actions — in particular its backing for Assad forces in the battle for Aleppo.

Erdogan and Putin discussed the Syria conflict on Saturday by telephone for the second time in just over 24 hours.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/251103.aspx

Islamic State GodFather “Erdogan” threatens to open borders for migrants into Europe

By

untitled-1-740President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Friday, November 25 to open Turkey‘s borders to allow migrants to reach the EU, in a move that would tear up a landmark deal that has reduced the flow, AFP reports.

Erdogan’s comments, some of his toughest in recent times against the European Union, prompted an immediate warning from Germany which helped broker the deal that such “threats” were unhelpful.

The threat came a day after the European Parliament angered Ankara by backing a freeze in EU accession talks, already hit by alarm over its crackdown in the wake of the July 15 failed coup.

“Listen to me. If you go any further, then the frontiers will be opened, bear that in mind,” Erdogan told the EU during a speech in Istanbul.

He said Brussels had cried out for help in 2015 as tens of thousands of migrants massed at Turkey’s border crossing with EU member Bulgaria.

“You began to ask us ‘what will we do if Turkey opens its borders’?” he asked.

On March 18, Ankara and Brussels forged a deal for Turkey to halt the flow of migrants to Europe — an accord that has largely been successful in reducing numbers crossing the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece.

Hundreds of migrants have drowned in the Aegean en route from Turkey to EU member Greece on unseaworthy boats.

They included three-year-old Syrian Aylan Kurdi, with the images of his lifeless body washed up on a Turkish beach spurring the international community into action.

Turkey agreed to step up maritime and land border controls in exchange for incentives on its long-stalled membership bid, including visa-free travel for its citizens and an acceleration of accession talks.

However with an October target passing, no apparent progress on the visa issue and the accession talks stalled, Ankara has accused Brussels of failing to keep its side of the bargain.

In response to Erdogan’s remarks, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said the deal was in the interest “of all parties” and that “threats on either side are not helpful”.

“Where there are difficulties, we need to resolve them,” she added.

Erdogan said while Turkey itself was looking after three million refugees — mainly 2.7 million Syrians from the civil war, but also Iraqis — but “you (the EU) did not fulfil your promises”.

“You never acted honourably, you did not act right,” he told the bloc.

He has also accused Brussels of failing to fulfil a promise to deliver some six billion euros ($6.3 billion) in aid for refugees. The EU says the money is to be transferred gradually for individual projects and not in a single payment.

On Thursday, two people died and two others were badly burnt when a fire broke out on the Greek island of Lesbos, where many migrants who crossed from Turkey are housed.

Related links:

AFP. Erdogan threatens to open borders for migrants to enter EU
Lenta.ru: Эрдоган пригрозил запустить беженцев в Европу

Erdogan Terrorism within: Two new emergency decrees: 15,726 people 375 associations and 9 media sacked

By

erdogan-terrorismTwo new emergency decrees are published in the Official Journal of Turkey.

With the recent emergency decrees, 375 associations and 9 media outlets have been shut down and 15,726 civil servants have been sacked. The shut-down institutions and sacked personnel are claimed to be engaged in activities aiming to damage the national security of the state or cooperate with terrorist organizations. 

Among the sacked personnel, there are 242 academics.

175 associations, 18 foundations and 1 healthcare center that were shut down upon the law passed on October 18 will be reopened with the recent decree.

Also, 157 civil servants who had been sacked are restored.

Turkey’s ruling party aims to pardon 3,000 rapists

By

free-rapest-in-turkeyTurkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has caused an outcry after proposing an intensely controversial bill that would pardon those found guilty of statutory rape of minor girls if they married their victims.

The 49-article draft bill was approved after it was brought forward in parliament by the conservative party at a night session on Thursday but fell short of gaining a majority vote required for it to be passed into law.

The parliament will convene again on Tuesday to vote on the bill.

The bill says in all pre-November 16 cases of child sex abuse involving girls aged 15 or younger and committed “without force, threat, or any other restriction on consent,” the sentence will be “deferred” if the culprit marries his victim.

In 2005, a similar law was abolished; hence, the bill includes all such cases during the past 11 years. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP hopes that by turning the bill into law some 3,000 child rapists, who are currently in prison due to the current law, will be pardoned.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag defended the bill on national television on Friday, saying it was a response to the “unfortunate reality” of child marriage in Turkey’s conservative society.

He cited cases of imprisoned perpetrators, who had left the teen mother and her son in financial difficulties, adding, “Those who say ‘rapists will benefit from this’ are distorting the situation.”

The bill, however, has infuriated all three opposition parties and women’s associations, who argue that it would encourage forced marriages and legalize marriage to rapists.

“If a 50 or 60-year-old man is told to marry an 11-year-old girl after raping her, and then marries her years later, she will suffer the consequences. If you give him a pass through marriage, the young girl will live in a prison for her whole life,” said Omer Suha Aldan, a lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Furthermore, the CHP released a statement on Friday saying that the bill “has severely damaged the reputation” of the parliament.

However, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim defended the bill, saying the CHP was trying to “distort” the issue.

Erkan Akcay, the deputy chair of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), also condemned the bill as “outrageous” and “impossible to accept.”

President of Federation of Women’s Associations Canan Gullu also denounced the draft, saying all early marriages should be prohibited.

“Families pressed girls aged 11 to 17 to marry unlawfully, and public action is filed when the girl gives birth at hospital or when schools notice the situation,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) also slammed the bill for its failure to determine the elements related to “compulsion, threat and will.”

According to women’s rights advocate Nuriye Kadan, almost a third of all marriages in Turkey involve child brides.

Pakistan submits to Turkey’s ‘authoritarian demands’ on Turkish cleric Gulen Schools

By

the-two-evilsAuthorities have ordered teachers with alleged links to Turkish cleric Gulen to leave the country as Turkey’s President Erdogan visits Pakistan. Experts say the move is aimed at appeasing Ankara.

Turkish teachers and their families in Pakistan were given a three-day notice by authorities to leave the country, PakTurk International Schools and Colleges said in a statement on Tuesday.

“PakTurk International Schools and Colleges are deeply concerned over the abrupt decision of the government requiring the Turkish teachers, management and their family members…to leave the country within three days,” the school said.

It added that the staff were asked to leave because of “non-approval of their requests for extension of visa.”

The PakTurk Foundation said the schools would continue operating across Pakistan despite the expulsion of Turkish teachers.

In July, Turkey asked Pakistan to crack down on institutions run by US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara believes was behind the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sadik Babur Girgin, Turkey’s ambassador to Islamabad, had explicitly asked Pakistani officials to shut down such organizations in their country.

There are 28 institutions in Pakistan administered by Gulen’s PakTurk Foundation, which is also planning to open a university in the country. Operating there for decades, the Gulen movement’s supporters also have business stakes in Pakistan.

“We have called on all friendly countries to prevent activities of this (Gulen’s) group,” Girgin said at a media briefing on July 23 in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. He noted that Turkey was in close contact with Pakistani authorities, adding, “We have had good cooperation with Pakistan in every field.”

Pakistan’s English-language Dawn newspaper, citing sources, said Ankara wants Islamabad to transfer the schools’ management to an international non-governmental organization with links to Erdogan’s administration. This claim has not been verified.

Opposition to Erdogan’s visit

Erdogan is due to arrive in Pakistan later on Wednesday, November 16, and will address the Islamic country’s parliament on Thursday.

Before his departure from Ankara, Erdogan praised Pakistan’s actions against Gulen-linked organizations.

“Pakistan’s decision to have people linked to FETO leave the country by November 20 is very pleasing,” Erdogan said, referring to what his government calls the Gulenist Terror Organization (FETO).

“Just like Turkey, Pakistan is carrying out a relentless fight against terror. Turkey supports Pakistan’s battle until the end,” the Turkish president added.

Sattar Khan, DW’s Islamabad correspondent, says the students of the PakTurk school network and the staff of the institutions administered by the organization have vowed to protest the government’s move against them.

“There are many Turkish people living in Pakistan. Are they all Gulen followers?” an official of the PakTurk school network told DW on condition of anonymity. “We have a staff of around 1,500 people in Pakistan, and more than 8,000 students are studying in our 22 campuses across the country.”

Cricketer-turned-parliamentarian Imran Khan also indicated that his opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party would oppose the closure of PakTurk schools. Sources claim that Khan has stakes in the PakTurk foundation. Earlier he said his party’s lawmakers would boycott Erdogan’s speech in parliament, but on Tuesday media reports suggested that Khan was ready to revise his decision on request from the Turkish ambassador in Pakistan.

Some analysts also say that Khan is opposed to the Turkish government because of Erdogan’s close ties with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. At a time when Sharif is under immense pressure due to his alleged links with offshore companies, Khan considers Erdogan’s Islamabad visit as an endorsement of PM Sharif’s government.

Pakistan’s proponents of secularism are angry about Ankara’s demands to crack down on Gulen institutions. They are also opposed to PM Sharif’s close ties with President Erdogan, whom they consider an “authoritarian ruler.”

The Islamic country’s activists believe Erdogan is using the failed coup to impose his totalitarian rule in Turkey. They say Ankara is cracking down on dissidents, secular and Kurdish activists and journalists, and has introduced controversial terror laws – something, they say, is a bad example for Turkey’s ally Pakistan.

Will President Trump Reverse Obama/Erdogan Plan For “Seizing, Holding, And Occupying” Syrian Territory In Raqqa

By

erdogan-terroristBy Brandon Turbeville

As the U.S. Presidential selection draws to a close, the United States and Turkey have announced a new plan to defeat ISIS, the same terrorist organization both countries have created, funded, armed, and facilitated, in Syria. The plan revolves around the conquering, occupation, and governing of sovereign Syrian territory in the East, most notably Raqqa.

According to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, after meeting with his Turkish counterpart, that “The coalition and Turkey will work together on the long-term plan for seizing, holding and governing Raqqa.”

The statement by Dunford seems to confirm the fact that the United States will not move forward in its campaign for Raqqa without working closely with the Turks, who are themselves concerned about the makeup of the proxy forces destined to hold power once the campaign is over. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the proxies of choice in this battle, are made up of many Kurdish militias and fighters, an issue that provides much worry on the part of the Turkish government.

Harut Sassounian: A Dictator obsessed with power & wealth: Erdogan’s 12 scandals!

By

harut-sasssounian-wallyWith each passing day, Turkish President Erdogan is becoming increasingly dictatorial. The arrest of 11 members of the opposition pro-Kurdish party, HDP, is the latest in a long string of Erdogan’s dictatorial policies.

Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote a devastating exposé on Erdogan last week, listing some of his scandalous actions!

I have summarized Rubin’s lengthy article which was posted on Newsweek magazine’s European edition website, under the title, “Twelve Questions Turkish Journalists Dare not Ask”:

1. How did Erdogan become a billionaire?
Erdogan was raised in a poor family until he became Mayor of Istanbul when he faced 13 corruption probes. In 2004, when he was Prime Minister, the U.S. embassy in Ankara reported in a cable to Washington that “he had at least eight Swiss bank accounts.” In addition, secret phone recordings revealed his instructions “to liquidate perhaps a billion dollars in cash. Erdogan used his power over the courts to quash the case and arrest prosecutors and judges who sought to pursue it.”

2. Where is Erdogan’s university diploma?
Erdogan claims to have graduated from Istanbul’s Marmara University in 1981. His degree may have been forged. “A four-year degree is a prerequisite for the presidency. If Erdogan lied about having a degree, can he remain as president?”

3. Is there another story behind the coup attempt?
Erdogan fired and jailed thousands of his political opponents, accusing them of being the followers of Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind of the July 15 coup attempt, which the Turkish President called “a gift from God.”

4. If there is a FETO, is there also an ETO?
Erdogan called Gulen’s movement “the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO)…. If it is permissible to talk about FETO as a terror group, would it be equally acceptable to refer to the Erdoganist Terror Organization (ETO)?”

5. If Gulen is a terrorist, why did Erdogan work with him till 2013?
Gulen and Erdogan had practically identical religious philosophies until their split in 2013. Why is Gulen a ‘terrorist’ now?

6. Why is it OK to report on PKK attacks but not on ISIS?
“When the PKK or fringe Kurdish groups attack, it often dominates the headlines in Turkey for days as the investigation continues, authorities name suspects, etc…. But when ISIS has attacked, the Turkish government has put an embargo on reports about the investigation.”

7. Why did Turkish intelligence help the Nusra Front? And ISIS?
“Evidence is overwhelming that both the Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, and ISIS itself, have received arms, support and equipment from authorities in Turkey. When journalists broke the story — and provided photographic evidence — Erdogan’s response was to arrest the editor of the newspaper that published the scoop. Likewise, when Turkish soldiers stopped an arms shipment into Syria, Erdogan ordered the soldiers’ arrest rather than the smugglers….”

8. Was a Turkish death squad behind the Paris assassinations?
“In 2013, assassins executed three Kurdish activists in their office in Paris. All three were PKK members…. The French captured Omer Guney, a 32-year-old Turk who had arrived in France at age 9.Telephone intercepts after the murders show him calling back to handlers in Turkey’s intelligence agency….”

9. Why did Erdogan appoint his son-in-law oil minister?
“Berat Albayrak, Erdogan’s 37-year-old son-in-law, became Turkey’s energy minister on November 24, 2015. Was he the best qualified? Or were other factors at play?”

10. Can we talk about Erdogan’s associations?
Erdogan is a close friend of Yasin al-Qadi, a Saudi businessman, who, according to the U.S. Treasury Department “had alleged ties to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden until 2014.” Erdogan persistently declared: “I know Mr. Qadi. I believe in him as I believe in myself. For Mr. Qadi to associate with a terrorist organization, or support one, is impossible.” Erdogan is also close to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar of Afghanistan who has “allied himself with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.” Another friend, Khalid Meshaal (the militant leader of Hamas), visited Turkey as Erdogan’s personal guest!

11. What deal have you struck with Putin?
After Erdogan and Putin buried the hatchet earlier this year, they agreed on a pipeline deal and held talks on the Turkish purchase of a Russian missile system. Were there any secret agreements?

12. What explains the court’s 2008 refusal to close the AKP?
In 2008, Turkey’s constitutional court came close to dissolving Erdogan’s ruling party. But, at the last-minute, one justice switched his vote. It is alleged that “a businessman, long hounded by Erdogan, wired money into that justice’s account just before the vote.”

During a Nov. 6 ceremony in Istanbul to receive an honorary doctorate, Erdogan proudly proclaimed: “I don’t care if they call me a dictator or whatever else. It goes in one ear, out the other!”

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

Kurds Armenian in France against “Erdogan barbarism” with the support of Jean-Luc Mélenchon

By

kurd-armenian-protes-parisPending the condemnation by Europe of the dictatorial regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and as a result of security measures taken by the Turkish power under the complacent gaze of the West losing values and at the spoliation of fatal memory, which struck the deputies of the pro-Kurdish opposition party HDP, including its leader Selahattin Demirtas, demonstrations of support for the Kurdish people were held in several French cities which have joined the Franco-Armenian Movement and also Charjoum Nor the Seround, Place de la Republique in Paris.

In front of thousands of demonstrators gathered Republic Square, as Berivan Firat, host of the Democratic Council of Kurds in France, called on organizations and citizens concerned about the respect of human rights, to condemn Turkey to Erdogan drifts for which he is responsible in his country in the grip of terror and destabilization by undemocratic actions, inspired by the worst dictatorships.

Chanting “Erdogan assassin! “” Erdogan out! “The demonstrators headed to the Place du Chatelet to attend the intervention of the leader of the Left Front Jean-Luc Mélenchon who gave his full support to the struggle of the Kurdish people (see video).

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry wrote: “France and Turkey are linked by common values that underpin their relationship and result in particular in the accession of our country to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Also, the arrest of several members of HDP party raises serious concern. France calls on Turkey to respect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, including democratic pluralism and freedom of expression and of the press. “

For information, November 3, the Belgian courts rejected the terrorism allegations of the Turkish state against the Kurds.

Armenian National Committee of America ANCA Calls for Forceful U.S. Response to Turkey’s HDP Arrests

By

anc-protest-hdp-arrest

ANCA leads community effort calling on U.S. to forcefully condemn the Turkish Government’s latest crackdown on the HDP party.

ANCA Launches Online Action Portal – anca.org/hdp – calling on Secretary Kerry Condemn Erdogan’s Crackdown

WASHINGTON—In the wake of the November 3rd Turkish government crackdown on the pro-democracy HDP party, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has registered protests with the U.S. government and launched a nationwide grassroots advocacy campaign calling Secretary of State John Kerry to respond forcefully against Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s attempt to silence the last remaining major pro-democracy voice left in Turkey.

An ANCA action alert – www.anca.org/HDP – provides supporters of a democratic Turkey with the opportunity to ask Secretary Kerry to condemn Ankara’s crackdown and demand the immediate release of imprisoned HDP leaders.  The letter reads, in part: “My request is as simple as it is straightforward: The United States must publicly and forcefully protest Turkey’s crackdown and demand the immediate release of all those imprisoned by the Erdogan regime.”

Commenting on the campaign, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian stressed that “We must break with the failed policies of appeasement that have, for far too long, misguided American policy toward Turkey, allowing Turkish leader and their army of lobbyists to compromise both our country’s interests and our nation’s values.”

Earlier on Friday, ANCA leaders and activists joined with Kurdish Americans and other committed to democracy within Turkey in a protest outside the Turkish Embassy. The demonstration was covered by Armenian, Kurdish, and Turkish media.

Reporters Without Borders labels Erdogan as ‘enemy of press freedom’

By

erdogan-enemy-of-pressThe Turkish regime has arrested at least 200 journalists and closed over 120 media outlets since the coup attempt, Reporters Without Borders said. President Erdogan hides behind a “veneer of democracy,” the group added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likes the media to be “submissive and docile and sing his praises,” Reporters Without Borders said in a report published on Wednesday. The document lists 35 leaders and organizations deemed “enemies of press freedom,” as ranked by the group, which is also known by its French acronym RSF.

RSF published the list on November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

Following the failed coup in July, Ankara started a crackdown on the press that worsened an already grim situation in Turkey, according to the organization. Over 200 journalists have been arrested and 125 remained in prison as in early October. The government also eliminated at least 124 media outlets “by decree” the report said.

Erdogan hides his “aggressive dictatorship under a veneer of democracy” according to the RSF.

The Turkish president is one of the new additions to the list, alongside Saudi King Salman, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza and several others. Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Kremlin Chief Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un are also listed in the 2016 report.

“The numerous new names show that strongmen and extremists of all kinds are still confident they can get away with oppressing free press,” RSF spokesman Michael Rediske said. “Some rulers have been prosecuting, torturing or killing critical journalists with impunity for decades.”

RSF also published a petition urging the German government and the EU Commission to respond to the crackdown in Turkey.

The affected journalists “need quick help from Germany and Europe, for example, by expedient processing of emergency visas.” The petition decried “fear and threatened livelihood” among critical publicists and publishers.

Ankara’s pretext ‘ridiculous’

Earlier this week, the Turkish authorities raided the opposition daily “Cumhurriyet,” and arrested the editor-in-chief, a cartoonist, and several reporters. The reasons for the arrests, according to the prosecutors, were suspicions of aiding Kurdish militants and support for the US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen.

In an interview with DW, former “Cumhurriyet” editor Can Dundar called the accusations “ridiculous.”

“It would have been better if they said, ‘We don’t want to hear any dissenting voices and are not ready to tolerate even the slightest opposition.’ ‘Cumhuriyet’ has been fighting against the Gulen Movement for the last 20 to 30 years,” he told DW.

Also on Wednesday, UNESCO published a report saying that 115 journalists were killed on duty during last year. Analyzing reporters’ security between start of 2006 and end of 2015, the UN agency looked found that at least 827 journalists lost their lives. UNESCO said this statistic did not cover “the numerous other violations endured by journalists, which included kidnappings, arbitrary detention, torture, intimidation and harassment, both offline and online.”

dj/sms (epd, dpa)