Gagrule.net

Gagrule.net News, Views, Interviews worldwide

Greece news live: Germany readies five-year temporary Grexit plan after finance ministers fail to reach agreement

By

Greece lastWolfgang Schauble reportedly rejects Greece’s new austerity measures, favouring a “temporary” Grexit as creditors demand even more austerity from Greece,

24 hours to save the euro

Here’s our wrap of events from another incredible night which has pushed Greece ever closer to a eurozone exit.

The German government has begun preparations for Greece to be ejected from the eurozone, as the European Union faces 24 hours to rescue the single currency project from the brink of collapse.

Nine hours of acrimonious talks on Saturday night, saw finance ministers fail reach an agreement with Greece over a new bail-out package, accusing Athens of destroying their trust. It leaves the future of the eurozone in tatters only 15 years after its inception.

In a weekend billed as Europe’s last chance to save the monetary union, finance ministers will now reconvene on Saturday morning ahead of an EU leaders’ summit later in the evening, to thrash out an agreement or decide to eject Greece from the eurozone.

Should no deal be forthcoming, the German government has made preparations to negotiate a temporary five-year euro exit, providing Greece with humanitarian aid and assistance while it makes the transition.

A plan drafted by Berlin’s finance ministry, with the backing of Angela Merkel, laid out two stark options for Greece: either the government submits to drastic measures such as placing €50bn of its assets in a trust fund to pay off its debts, and have Brussels take over its public administration, or agree to a “time-out” solution where it would leave the eurozone.

Source: The Guardian

Hackers take over Patriot missile battery in southern Turkey

By

18a058cb-0a62-416d-8446-af1d63a4574cUnknown hackers have reportedly taken over the German-owned Patriot air and missile defense systems stationed in southern Turkey on the border with crisis-hit Syria, and given it unspecified commands.

According to a report published by German-language Behörden Spiegel magazine on Tuesday, the US-built systems, consisting of six launchers and two radars, were briefly compromised and carried out orders.

The report, however, did not provide any information about when the orders were carried out and what they were.

The German Bundeswehr armed forces has based its Patriot missile systems on the Turkish territory since 2013 in a declared bid to protect the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members against the spillover of the foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria.

Behörden Spiegel further said that the Patriot systems have two weak spots, which could be exploited by hackers.

The first one is the Sensor-Shooter-Interoperability (SSI), which is responsible for the information exchange between the missile launcher and its control system. Another weak point is the computer chip that controls the guidance of the weapon.

“These systems are not linked to public networks, they require special codes to fire the missile, which only a certain number of people have, and you generally need the code from two or three people to fire it, or to do anything that is of significance,” said computer security consultant Jonathan Schifreen.

He added, “I don’t think it’s actually happened, which is not to say that some of these systems are not hackable in some way. It is possible in some way perhaps to detect the presence of it, but anything more than that is going to take some serious skills.”

“It is certainly the case that foreign governments, intelligence agencies do try to hack into these systems, and it may well be that the software built into the missile has been compromised in some way by some foreign government,” Schifreen said.

The Patriot missile system was first used by the US army over 30 years ago.

Armenian President Sargsyan, Merkel talk German stance on Genocide, Armenia-EU prospects

By

192541President Serzh Sargsyan met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership summit in Riga, Latvia, presidential press service reports.

At the May 21 meeting, the parties focused on Armenian-German relations, expressing satisfaction over enriched cooperation agenda of the two countries through around six dozen cooperation agreements.

President Sargsyan further expressed his gratitude to the German government for its continued support of Armenia.

The Armenian president and the German chancellor touched upon Armenia-EU relations and their development prospects. The President stressed Germany’s role in deepening those relations as a key player in the EU.

The parties also reflected upon the Armenian Genocide centennial and the respective commemorative events which took place in Armenia and numerous countries around the world, including Germany. President Sargsyan thanked German authorities for their position on the condemnation of the Genocide.

At the meeting, the parties exchanged views on issues and challenges present in the South Caucasus region, including the Nagorno Karabakh peace process within the frame of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.

Turkey resentful of Germany and Vatican over Armenian issue – Hurriyet Daily News

By

By Barçın Yinanç

f555c6f747fe49_555c6f747fe84.thumbAlmost a month has passed since April 24, the date that marked the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian tragedy.

No one is talking about it in Turkey any more. Naturally, it is no longer on the world’s agenda. But I am sure that both in Yerevan and Ankara a general assessment is being made about this important turning point.

One thing is for sure: Turkey was caught at a time when it is not enjoying a particularly bright image internationally. Despite this, April 24 passed leaving behind minimum damage as far as Turkey’s bilateral relations are concerned.

However, it seems that Turkey remains particularly resentful of two international actors. One of these is the Vatican and the other is Germany.

The Pope’s reference to the Armenian tragedy as “the first genocide of the 20th century” came as a shock to Turkey, as diplomatic representatives of the Holy See had assured to the very last minute that Pope Francis would refrain from using the “G word.”

In fact, the Turkish ambassador to the Vatican had even been scheduled to attend a mass to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragedy, in the expectation that Pope Francis would talk of “shared grievances.” What would have been a diplomatic embarrassment was averted, as at the last minute the Turkish envoy did not go, after he was informed about the Pope’s intention. The ambassador, who was recalled to Ankarafor consultations, will not return to the Vatican until at least the end of the summer.

Ankara believes that Pope Francis’s statement had a multiplier effect throughout the world. The Pope’s statement was followed by decisions from the parliaments of Luxembourg and Austria, which recognized the killings of Armenians at the hands of theOttoman Empire during World War I as genocide.

Germany’s stance, on the other hand, while it was not anticipated, did not come as a huge surprise. Ankara believes that Germany is an active behind-the-scenes actor to promote the view that the Armenian tragedy is the first genocide of the 20th century. Several projects aimed at proving that the Armenian massacres amounted to genocide, supported and financed by the German institutions, seem to have strengthened views among Turkish officials that Germany is seeking to relativize the Holocaust.

German President Joachim Gauck used the “G word” at a religious ceremony held at the Berlin Cathedral. Beyond this, the Turkish side seems to be very concerned aboutGerman initiatives to include this issue in the curriculum in a way that will also affect the children of Turks living in Germany.

Germany: 80% of Turkish Muslims claim welfare payments “Must Read”

By

by Daniel Greenfield

turkish-babyTurks came to Germany as ‘guest workers’. They were supposed to provide some “necessary cheap labor” and then leave. But it didn’t work out that way.

And the topic has obvious implications for our own Gang of 8′s guest worker plan, which is going to lead to non-workers bankrupting the social welfare system even further.

Three million Turks live already in Germany already, while 2.5 million of them have German nationality, and the majority of them are conservative Muslims.

Very few Turks in Germany have a regular job; about 20%. The other 80% live on the so-called Hartz IV (state social benefits). 70% of their children have no GCSE; they left school before they finished their basic education.

According to the German state benefit system, every adult citizen who possesses the German nationality, unemployed and cannot find an appropriate job, is entitled to get monthly 482 € ($627). Additionally, parents get for each child under 18 years old, 200 € ($261), plus all their monthly expenditures in terms of rent, heating, power, health insurance, and public transport.

“Amazingly enough some Turks who live on the generous state benefits can afford to buy a house or an apartment and drive luxurious cars like Mercedes or BMW.” Says Klaus, a landlord whose tenants are a case in point.

That part is easy enough. Just like in the United States, you cash in by having a lot of kids. Bring over a whole bunch of family members, churn out some kids from polygamous marriages (the next frontier in marriage equality) and soon you’re bringing in 10 grand a month)

Kamal (46 years old) and his wife Shadia (42 years old) have ten children under 18 and live on Hartz IV (the German social benefit system). They have a monthly net income of about 3000 €. In addition, all their spending on rent, health care, transport, heating, etc. are paid by the state.

Kamal never worked or had a regular job, never finished school, and never learned a profession. Now he claims that he is “ill.” Klaus, the landlord of Kamal says, “The man is fit.” He even confessed to Klaus that he lies when he says he is ill. “He told me once, ‘Why should I work if I can live well without/’” Klaus quotes Kamal.

Kamal is obliged to regularly report his joblessness to the Federal Employment Office (Bundes Agentur für Arbeit) in his town. He does so when he is invited for a job interview. But he always alleges that he is “sick:” He allegedly has “unbearable pains in his back and joints.” Therefore, he cannot take any job. The only one who knows the truth about Kamal is his landlord Klaus.

Klaus and many other Germans are outraged about Kamal and his like. “It is us, taxpayers who have to finance odd buggers like Kamal. This makes me sick.” Klaus frowns at me.

On the other hand, Kamal’s neighbour, Dieter works for a mail company. For working 8 hours daily, he merely get 800 € ($1000) at the end of the month. From this salary he has got to pay his rent and the rest of his expenditure. Left for him is something around 400 € ($500).

This is much worse than Cyprus. And this will eventually break Germany’s back. Imagine millions of people living this way and reproducing at a much higher rate than the native population and the spending becomes completely unsustainable.

German citizens can enter Turkey with simply showing their personal identity card. Hence German Turks, particularly women, travel to Turkey and come back with a “leased” baby. They get the baby temporarily from relatives and claim at the German border that it is their baby who was recently born in Turkey.

Khaled, a Turk, told me that you can get “a false birth certificate” in Turkey for $10.

Back in Germany, the “new” baby is registered at the town hall administration, and the “mother of the baby” starts getting 200 € ($261) monthly.

And don’t kid yourself. This happens here too south of the border.

Source: Jews News

Armenian Genocide resolution introduced to Germany federal state parliament

By

Germany-recognize-genocideOn the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, the parliament of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on Tuesday submitted a joint resolution condemning the genocide.

In the Rhineland-Palatinate capital city of Mainz, all parliament factions used the term “genocide” to describe what occurred in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

“We [i.e. Germans] all have to bear the historic accountability for this Genocide (…). That is why we introduce this joint resolution.

“This is not solely about remembering the victims, but the need to look ahead. Our joint objective is to achieve reconciliation, mutual understanding, and recognition. That is why we support the development of Armenian-Turkish relations.

“The resolution calls on to remember the Armenian Genocide that occurred 100 years ago. The [Rhineland-Palatinate] parliament factions condemn the Ottoman Empire’s actions that led to the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians.

“The parliamentary forces remain faithful to their decision of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation,” the joint resolution specifically reads, reported Rhein-Zeitung.

Cross-stone dedicated to Armenian Genocide Centennial placed in Germany’s Halle

By

Armenain-crossA cross-stone made from Armenian tuff has been placed in the Halle city of Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state. The cross-stone is dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, yerakouyn.com reports.

According to Hye Tert, the cross-stone was officially unveiled with the blessing and consecration with the participation of Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany, His Grace, Father, Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan, President of the Inter-Church Cooperation of Saxony-Anhalt Jurgen Titrich, Temporary Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Armenia in Germany Ashot Smbatyan, Mayor of Halle Bernd Vigand and others. The ceremony included a performance by the local women’s choir.

 

Source: Panorama.am

GERMANY The Bundestag will today discuss the resolutions on the Armenian Genocide

By

arton111434-480x359Today Wednesday, 6 May, the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee will consider resolutions on the Armenian Genocide submitted by the three parliamentary groups.
Expert genocide researcher and German activist Tessa Hoffman said it was still unclear whether the Foreign Affairs Committee will decide whether to propose a resolution after discussing the three resolutions submitted by both parties in power and members

Germany Defies Turkey, Recognizes Armenian Genocide

By

germany-defyGermany abruptly shifted its policy Monday from a steadfast refusal to use the term “genocide” to describe the massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces 100 years ago.
BERLIN (Reuters)—The German government backed away on Monday from a steadfast refusal to use the term “genocide” to describe the massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces 100 years ago after rebellious members of parliament forced its hand.

In a major reversal in Turkey’s top trading partner in the European Union and home to millions of Turks, Germany joins other nations and institutions including France, the European parliament and Pope Francis in using the term condemned by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said the government would support a resolution in parliament on Friday declaring it an example of genocide.

Germany had long resisted using the term “genocide” even though France and other nations have. But the coalition government came under pressure from parliamentary deputies in their own ranks planning to use the word in a resolution.

“The government backs the draft resolution…in which the fate of the Armenians during World War One serves as an example of the history of mass murders, ethnic cleansings, expulsions and, yes, the genocides during the 20th century,” Seibert said.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had rejected using the word genocide in an ARD TV interview on Sunday, denying any suggestion it was being avoided to avoid upsetting Turkey.

“Responsibility can’t be reduced to a single term,” he said.

Members of parliament in the conservative Christian Democrats and their Social Democrat (SPD) allies forced the change.

Analysts said that the reluctance until now from Germany, a country that works hard to come to terms with the Holocaust it was responsible for, was due to fears of upsetting Turkey and the 3.5 million Germans of Turkish origin or Turkish nationals living in Germany.

The German government also did not want to use the word due to concerns the Herero massacres committed in 1904 and 1905 by German troops in what is now Namibia could also be called genocide — leading to reparation demands.

“It’s a striking contradiction by the German government that Germany is denying the genocide of Armenians,” said Ayata Bilgin, a political scientist at Berlin’s Free University.

“Research has shown that external pressure on countries can have a considerable influence and Germany could play a very important role in this discussion on Turkey.’

Yerevan: ARF youth stage sit-in outside Germany embassy in Yerevan

By

Dashnak-demo-GermanYEREVAN. – Several dozen members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party Youth and “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Unions are staging a sit-in, on Thursday, outside the German embassy in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

The youth are demanding German Ambassador Reiner Morell to personally come down and take the letter, wherewith they require the Bundestag (parliament) of Germany to pass laws that criminalize Armenian Genocide denial in Germany.

The demonstrators, holding Armenian- and English-language signs, are chanting, “Recognition,” “Condemnation,” and “We demand.”

In addition, the protesters are wearing white shirts with forget-me-nots, which symbolize the Armenian Genocide Centennial, and are holding the flags of Armenia and the ARF.