Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Ankara Thursday against a “deterioration” of the situation in the Middle East after the decision of the Turkish Parliament to authorize military intervention in Syria and Iraq.
“Mr. Zarif criticized the method chosen to fight against terrorism and expressed concern about any action that would aggravate the situation” in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu,
Turkey may be developing nuclear weapons
24 September 2014 – 1:06pm
According to Die Welt, Turkey is developing nuclear weapons using a nuclear program similar to Iran’s. The source adds that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the construction of uranium-enriching machines in 2010.
source: vestnikkavkaza.net
CPJ: Turkey has fearful journalism climate
Turkish journalists gather to protest attacks on journalists and media freedom in Ankara on May 3. (Photo: AP)
October 02, 2014, Thursday/ AP / ISTANBUL
An international media freedom watchdog said that while Turkey has released many journalists from prison recently, the government is creating a more fearful climate for critical media.
The chairman of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Sandy Rowe, and counterparts from the International Press Institute (IPI) are meeting Turkish officials on Thursday, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The CPJ has previously cited Turkey as being the world’s worst offender for imprisoning journalists. But Rowe said all but 10 journalists have been released, though some only conditionally.
Still, after discussions with journalists in Turkey, she said the government has failed to stop intimidating journalists who have published critical material.
“What we have heard from them consistently is that the overall conditions and climate of fear and intimidation that many journalists feel has increased,” she said.
She noted that journalists who come under government criticism are often threatened by its supporters on social media.
“It, of course, tracks immediately to social media and it is going way beyond name calling on criticism and it includes threats of harm — threats of real bodily harm or murder,” she said. “That’s very troubling; it shouldn’t happen and in the case of Turkey we wish the government would speak out against it.”
Rowe also criticized the government for restrictions on the Internet and social media, noting the temporary blocks on Twitter and YouTube by the government this year. Turkey’s high court later overturned the blocks, calling them unconstitutional.
CPJ and IPI were expected to issue a statement following their meetings in Ankara.
Senior Kurdistan Official: IS Was at Erbil’s Gates; Turkey Did Not Help (Interview)
(Why Barzani Allow Turkey to have Military base with about 3000 Turkish soldiers in Kurdistan city of Duhok)??? ask gagrule.net
By HEVIDAR AHMED RUDAW
Fuad Hussein: “The IS has its own map, which spans from India to Europe.”
In an important interview Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to the Kurdistan Region presidency, revealed just how dangerously close the Islamic State (IS) armies came to overrunning Erbil in attacks last month. He said that the United States “played in important role” with airstrikes, and that Washington’s swift response was key to winning global support in the war against the group formerly known as ISIS. In this interview with Rudaw that offers rare insights into the war and behind-the-scenes workings of developments, Hussein expressed Erbil’s huge dissatisfaction at Turkey for offering words at a time of imminent danger when the Kurds needed more. “Turkey consistently reiterated that if the security of the Kurdistan Region is threatened they would intervene. Well, our security was under threat, but still we did not receive any support from Turkey,” Hussein said. Here is an edited transcript of his interview:
Rudaw: What roles are different countries playing in the assistance given to the Kurdistan Region, such as the United States, France and others?
Fuad Hussein: The US is leading the international community, and had it not been for the US’s swift support for the Kurdistan Region, we might not have received such a level of backing from the international community. The US was quick to support us. Then, Europe supported us and that was due to France’s efforts. The role of France is very important and the US and European countries are coordinating together in supporting Kurdistan.
Rudaw: It is believed that, had it not been for US airstrikes, IS militants would have entered Erbil.
Fuad Hussein: This is a military assessment. But in reality they reached Makhmour, Gwer and Khazir, which are the entry points to Erbil. In fact, when they reached Gwer they were not that far from Erbil International Airport. Therefore, it is fair to say that the US played an important role and inflicted huge damages upon IS. IS did not only wage a military war. They were also inciting fear among people through social media by beheading people, which led to some people fleeing their cities. It was a huge problem.
Rudaw: The night that the IS entered Makhmour, Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani was on the telephone with Washington. How was the US persuaded to attack the IS?
Fuad Hussein: There were lots of phone calls to Washington on the night of August 6. The phone calls were a preparation for the call between Barzani and US Vice President Joe Biden. That was arranged, and Barzani clearly explained the situation, saying that the IS was using advanced military weapons and their fight was different from conventional fighting. After the authorization of airstrikes, President Barack Obama delivered a speech to the American public. President Barzani was informed of the content of the speech before President Obama delivered it. Following the speech, the US started attacking IS militants on August 8. The first US attack was an airstrike on an armored artillery that could hit targets as far as 30 kilometers. It was an American armored artillery that was taken by the IS from the Iraqi army.
Rudaw: Why did the IS attack Kurdistan?
Fuad Hussein: The IS was interested in Shingal and Tel Afar because of their geographic locations and religious and ethnic issues. The IS has its own map, which spans from India to Europe. In their map, Saudi Arabia is called Hijaz, Ethiopia is named Habasha and Spain is known as Andalus. They intend to take all these areas. They were interested in Kurdistan because of its oil and mountains. It would have been very dangerous if they had reached the mountains of Kurdistan. But I don’t know why they attacked Kurdistan. You should ask them, because we don’t know what is going on in their heads. What is clear is that their ideology is different from that of the Kurds, and they consider the Kurds infidels.
Rudaw: Does Kurdistan have any direct or indirect dialogue with IS?
Fuad Hussein: The IS is the enemy of the Kurds and Kurdistan. In the past we used to negotiate with different Iraqi governments (despite our war with Baghdad) after a period of fighting. But the IS is against humanity; how can we build ties with them?
Rudaw: There are several American oil companies in Kurdistan. Is it true that they had a role in mobilizing American support for Kurdistan?
Fuad Hussein: No, they did not do anything. It is true that before the war the oil companies had lobbied for US support for Kurdistan’s oil policy, for the betterment of ties between Washington and Erbil and to put pressure on former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki. But for this war, no company intervened.
Rudaw: Have you called for an American force to be based in Kurdistan?
Fuad Hussein: In reality, when America withdrew its forces from Iraq Maliki told the whole world that the security of Iraq was under control. But it was not true. President Barzani had warned about the withdrawal of American forces. We saw that after the withdrawal of US forces the security situation in Iraq got worse over time, until it reached the current situation. Iraq needs America’s support in fighting terrorism. Kurdistan is part of Iraq and Baghdad should accept such a demand.
Rudaw: Were the US airstrikes for the sake of Iraq or the Kurdistan Region?
Fuad Hussein: The Syria crisis started three years ago and all Arab countries, Gulf States and Turkey called for US intervention. But the US didn’t do that. IS reached Baghdad, Mosul, Anbar, Diyala and Tikrit, and nothing happened. But as soon as they changed the direction of their attacks to Kurdistan, the international community came forward in support of Kurdistan. Historians should record this and people should carefully analyze that the US did not let IS advance into Kurdistan. Barzani has built an extensive network of relations with the international community and we have seen its results. The decision of the West and the US is not only the decision of their governments, but also the decision of the public. The American and European nations were in favor of protecting the Kurds. This is the first time that Germany decides on military support for a region that is at war. Therefore, the policy of the Kurds is not only engaged with the governments of those states but also with their people.
Rudaw: Kurdistan considered Turkey as its closest ally, but Turkey has not assisted Kurdistan in this fight. Why?
Fuad Hussein: We were in a very tough situation. In a tough situation even a glass of water matters. But when you are offered a glass of water when not thirsty it is not bad, but not effective. We were in need of help in the beginning. The US, France and Europe came to our rescue but our neighbor refused to do so, even after we asked for help.
Rudaw: What was Turkey’s response?
Fuad Hussein: They did not say they would not help. They said they would do so after Turkey’s presidential election. But we were in a very difficult situation. We had no choice but to wait until after the elections, yet they have not helped us. Turkey did not meet our expectation.
Rudaw: Are you upset with Turkey?
Fuad Hussein: There are extensive economic, trade and political ties between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. If you analyze the extent of our relations with Turkey you would assume that Turkey would be heavily involved in this issue. Turkey consistently reiterated that if the security of the Kurdistan Region is threatened they would intervene. Well, our security was under threat, but still we did not receive any support from Turkey.
Rudaw: Would this situation cause a reassessment of relations with Turkey?
Fuad Hussein: It is in Turkey’s benefit to continue energy cooperation with Kurdistan. The US announced that it would protect Kurdistan to preserve its interests. Turkey says it has 49 of its diplomats taken hostage by IS. But Turkey has a consulate in Erbil, and what would happen had IS taken Erbil? Thousands of Turkey’s workers are working in Erbil and the Kurdistan Region. What about them? Does Turkey want to save the 49 diplomats at the expense of thousands of Turks in Kurdistan?
Rudaw: Have you decided to reassess your ties with Turkey?
Fuad Hussein: We have to be very clear with Turkey. How can we have such relations? It is in the benefit of Turkey to stand against the IS. The IS is not a friend to any country. Turkey, at least, could help us through some of its military bases in Duhok.
Rudaw: Turkey is worried that some of the weapons offered to Kurdistan might fall into the hands of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Can you guarantee this will not happen?
Fuad Hussein: The government, parliament, and the presidency of the Kurdistan Region receive the weapons and it is sent to the battlefields. The PKK does not rule Kurdistan. It is ironic that they make such a demand. This is the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. If true, then the economy and politics of Kurdistan are run by the PKK. Turkey should come forward. Then we can talk.
Rudaw: Is President Barzani upset about this?
Fuad Hussein: Barzani is the president of the Kurdistan Region. Every single Kurd is upset with Turkey’s position. How would President Barzani not be upset about it? We are upset, because they did not help us when we needed them.
Rudaw: What is the difference between Maliki and Haider al-Abadi?
Fuad Hussein: Every individual is different, but they are from the same school of thought and political party. Personality matters and our role in Baghdad to work as a team matters as well — because we did not have a team in Baghdad. Abadi contacted President Barzani before and after his appointment as prime minister and announced his intention to cooperate and work together.
Turkey 49 hostages swapped for 180 ISIL terrorists, report claims
The report also stated that the state’s key bodies, the MİT, the Prime Ministry Office and the President’s Office, competed against each other in an effort to give the impression that the hostage release was the result of their diplomatic attempts. In order to create this perception, the three agencies used certain media outlets affiliated with each other to claim the result as its own success. This prompted rumors that an internal power struggle was taking place over the hostages.
The terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) released 49 hostages who were abducted from the Turkish Consulate General in Mosul in June in exchange for Turkey’s release of 180 key figures from the jihadist group, the Taraf daily reported on Thursday.
Forty-nine members of the consulate staff were held hostage by ISIL for 101 days before being released on Sept. 20, but speculation as to how they were freed continues to occupy the country’s agenda. Taraf claimed that a number of key ISIL figures were traded for the hostages.
Giving a detailed report on the hostage release, Taraf claimed that US air strikes on ISIL militants in Iraq in August resulted in wounded terrorists being sent to Turkey for treatment. The US then warned Turkey not to release those militants. But, ISIL said they would kill the hostages if those ISIL fighters were not allowed to return to Iraq and Syria. The Turkish government then developed a swap plan for the release of the hostages, simultaneously ridding Turkey of the ISIL elements and releasing the hostages.
Local tribes mediated for swap deal
Local tribal figures who are providing support to the US’s campaign against ISIL in Iraq acted as mediators in the exchange process. With their help a deal was reached and the logistics were finalized. The ISIL militants would bring the hostages to the Turkish border and inform the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) of the hostages’ location, the report said.
In the wake of the hostages’ return, the government, in accordance with the deal, gathered ISIL militants who had been detained during medical treatment in Turkish hospitals. One hundred eighty fighters were then taken to a military post in Van. Whether the ISIL terrorists who killed a police officer, a military officer and a Turkish citizen in Niğde province in March were included in the swap deal is not clear. However, rumors circulating in government circles indicate that these terrorists were meant to be among the terrorists to be exchanged; however, the decision was abandoned, Taraf reported.
As part of the deal, the returned militants were given an undisclosed amount of money before they were handed over to ISIL.
Turkey, opposition the AKP government Motion is struggle against Syria, not ISIL
ANKARA
The motion brought to the Parliament by the government is not aiming at broadening the struggle against terror, but Syria, according to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
“We would support a motion on the struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL] or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party [PKK], in short, terrorist organizations. This was also what the Western coalition was looking for: A struggle against the terrorist organization of ISIL,” he said during an Ankara meeting Oct. 2 with journalists from the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“This is not the motion that came to the Parliament. On the contrary, it is to struggle against Syria,” he said.
Many items were put into the bill, he also said.
The opposition leader said there was a perception in the west that Turkey was backing ISIL.
“This perception is correct. ISIL has offices in Turkey. They have units that gather members in Turkey.
All of these are known things,” he said, adding he was against sending Turkish soldiers to another country.
“Turkey should take an open stance if it wants to fight against ISIL.”
The opposition leader was speaking before the motion was voted on at Parliament.
October/02/2014
Massacre in Kobane would end PKK’s peace talks with Turkey: Öcalan
ISTANBUL – Reuters
Smoke rises after a mortar shell landed in the south of the city center of Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane, seen from the Turkish side of border. Thousands of refugees from Kobani have arrived in the Turkish town of Suruç in recent days. AP Photo
Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has warned that peace talks between his group and the Turkish government will come to an end if Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) militants are allowed to carry out a massacre in a predominantly Kurdish town on the Syrian border.
ISIL militants have besieged the border of town of Kobane for more than two weeks, sending more than 150,000 Syrian Kurds fleeing to Turkey and piling pressure on the NATO member to intervene.
“If this massacre attempt achieves its goal it will end the process,” Öcalan said in a statement released by a delegation which visited him in jail on Oct. 1.
“I urge everyone in Turkey who does not want the process and the democracy voyage to collapse to take responsibility in Kobane,” he added in the statement, released on Oct. 2.
Kurdish forces allied to the PKK, the People’s Defence Units (YPG), are fighting against the ISIL insurgents attacking Kobane.
Turkey could intervene against the isis but also against the PKK
Turkish Islamic-conservative government announced Tuesday evening have tabled in Parliament a draft resolution to be discussed on Thursday, authorizing the army to 
intervene in Iraq and Syria against jihadist group Islamic State (EI). This text, which must be renewed for one year authorizations previously given to the Turkish army, provides the opportunity to conduct military operations on the territory of its two neighbors and parking or passage of foreign soldiers in Turkey who would participate, said his spokesman Bulent Arinc.
The text “includes all these options,” said Mr. Arinc by reporting to the press of the work of the Cabinet.
“It will give a very broad mandate, so that we did not need another text in the future. This is a good text, I hope, will unanimously, “said he added. The draft resolution prepared by the government is expanding two different texts that were voted annually by Parliament.
One on Iraq formerly permitted Turkey to conduct strikes against the rear bases of the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) installed in the Kandil Mountains in the far north of Iraq.
The second allowed the military to retaliate against routinely fire that reached Turkish soil from Syria.
“The risks and threats to our national security to the southern land border have increased dramatically,” said the motion, which AFP has obtained a copy.
The document authorizes the substance of the Ankara authorities “take all measures” to defeat these risks including allowing Turkish troops “if necessary to engage in actions and interventions across borders and send this late soldiers in foreign countries. “
The authority may decide to convene a closed session to vote for the motion to be adopted without problem, the government ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
After explicitly denied, Turkey now seems ready to contribute in turn to military intervention initiated by the coalition formed by the United States against the radical Sunni fighters of IE, accused of multiple abuses in Iraq and Syria, with which it shares a border of 1,250 km.
Enclave –
Accused of the most extremist armed rebel groups engaged in the war against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose EI, Ankara has totally changed his tune after release, Sept. 20, 46 of its nationals removed in June at its consulate in Mosul (Iraq) by EI.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled to open Wednesday the new parliamentary session, repeated in recent days that he was ready to do “what is necessary” to fight the IE within the coalition.
He has also spoken to the creation of a “buffer zone” to remain vague contours in northern Syria to receive refugees and secure the border. One of the leaders of the main Kurdish party in Turkey went on Tuesday in the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab besieged by IE and urged Turkey to act quickly to help its Kurdish population.
“If everyone combines their strengths, no one can beat a people defending a just cause,” pleaded the co-chairman of People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas on his return to the Turkish border post Mursitpinar, a few kilometers barely Ain al-Arab.
The Turkish army has reinforced its security Monday in the area. Fifty tanks, armored vehicles and other artillery were deployed Tuesday against Syria, according to an AFP photographer.
The offensive jihadists in the region, which began in mid-September, has prompted more than 160,000 people to seek refuge in Turkey.
The Turkish government also said Tuesday that the jihadists had approached the historic tomb of Suleiman Shah, a Turkish enclave in Syrian territory, but denied press reports claiming that 36 Turkish soldiers responsible for its protection were captured.
(AFP, Oct. 1, 2014)
Turkey Journalists denounce murder plot against columnists
An anonymous letter delivered to a news portal has warned that two columnists who are critical of the government, namely Murat Belge of the Taraf daily and Aydın Engin of the Cumhuriyet daily, face risk of assassination, the Taraf daily has reported, as both journalist associations and journalists have denounced the reported assassination plot.
The letter, left on Monday at the entrance of the building housing T24’s office, said a “decision has been made” regarding Belge, who is also a columnist for T24, and Engin. The letter said assassins have also been assigned and that the date of the assassinations is to be determined later.
“I, as a patriot, find it very wrong,” read the unsigned, handwritten letter published on T24’s website.
Speaking to Taraf, Belge said the threat appeared to be aimed at intimidating columnists critical of the government. “I don’t think this is coming from pro-coup circles or nationalist-fascist ones,” Belge told Taraf. “I have been writing columns criticizing the government since the Gezi protests. I think they are trying to intimidate columnists and stop publication of critical material. That’s why they are making threats like this.”
Speaking to the Cihan news agency, Engin stressed that the letter should be taken seriously and said he has filed a criminal complaint, demanding that those who have reportedly planned the assassination against him and Belge, as the letter has claimed, be found, as well as demanding a bodyguard from the prosecutor’s office as of Wednesday.
Yusuf Kanlı, head of the Press for Freedom of Journalists Association, who spoke to Today’s Zaman, condemned the assassination plot claims and said the government for its part should take all necessary measures to protect the threatened columnists, adding, “The threat should be taken seriously. As a journalistic organization, we condemn the alleged plot. This is the outcome of hate speech and polarizing policies carried out by the political authorities against the country’s intellectuals. In addition, some media outlets [in reference to pro-government ones] also continually target and point fingers at some members of media outlets which do not share the similar opinions to themselves.”
Some journalists have accused the government’s eminent figures and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of inciting hatred and hostility within the society due to the hateful rhetoric used by some government figures. Still others have highlighted extremist groups which act on the basis of hate against Turkey’s minorities, especially Armenians, that were revealed after an Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was assassinated outside the office of his Agos newspaper in broad daylight on Jan. 17, 2007 for his opinion that Turkey should recognize the Armenian genocide claims.
Armenians commemorate the relocation — during the First World War in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire rule — and they describe it as genocide.
Speaking to Today’s Zaman, Turkish-Armenian journalist and Taraf columnist Hayko Bağdat also reacted harshly to the incident, saying: “Such threats and intimidation are not something new for intellectuals. Many intellectuals and journalists were threatened in the process when Dink was murdered. At that time, I and many people warned that the Dink murder was a threat to the entire society, not only Armenians. Those state officials who allegedly had a role in the murder were not punished at all. On the contrary, they were promoted. The deep illegal structures nested in the country are permanently encouraged. These illegal structures then find a reason to surface when the country’s atmosphere is chaotic. The 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide is approaching [in 2015]. These cells might be active before the anniversary.”
Nazlı Ilıcak, a Bugün daily columnist, also told Today’s Zaman that the tense political atmosphere which was created by the government resulted in the assassination plot against the two columnists.
“I have never witnessed such a tense atmosphere in both the media and Turkey in general. Erdoğan is responsible for the tension. He fostered the enmity among the people, polarizing them as well. Whether the threat or assassination plot is real or not, the point where we have got to now is the result of the tense political climate. Those who aim to harm the state benefit from a chaotic atmosphere like this. The main purpose of the plot is to destabilize the country. These dark structures serve this purpose at all times,” Ilıcak said.
Government pressure on journalists make them open target
Speaking with Today’s Zaman about the letter regarding the planned assassination plot, Derya Sazak, former editor in chief of the Milliyet daily, emphasized that the threat should be given much importance because the Dink murder came after many threats like the current one were ignored and downplayed.
“In his final columns, Dink mentioned serious threats like these but the state did not move to reveal the source of the threat. Then he was killed. So these types of letters should be examined carefully and the source of the threat should be identified. So many intellectuals and journalists were killed in Turkey that any hint or threat [of the same] should be cracked down on. The political authority’s hostile attitude recently against intellectuals is a fact. The then-Erdoğan-led government caused the dismissals of many journalists due the pressure that it applied on the media outlets. But I do not think that it [the government] may wish the dissident intellectuals be killed in addition to its intimidation practices,” Sazak commented.
The Greens and Left Party of the Future founder and leader Ufuk Uras also accused politicians who use a hateful discourse during their speeches for the assassination plot against the two intellectuals, going on to elaborate, “For a long time, intellectuals have been targeted and there are a certain illegal circles who eye such a chaotic atmosphere for their future horrible activities.”
Bringing up the fact that Belge and Aydın are among the founders of his party, Uras went on: “All people with a conscience and all social democrats should show solidarity with the two columnists. They pay the price of a systematic targeting by the political authority. They are targeted for opposing an authoritarian type of governing of Turkey, a feature or characteristic of being an intellectual. Both intellectuals recently joined a campaign which was initiated last week criticizing the hateful discourse in the curriculum in middle and high schools prepared by the Ministry of Education. In my opinion, they have been targeted because of the campaign. Alongside them, many other intellectuals such as Vedat Türkali, Taner Akçam, Cengiz Aktar and Orhan Pamuk also participated in the campaign.”
Another intellectual, Cengiz Aktar, also denounced the assassination plot claims by saying, “Turkey has failed to settle old scores with its dirty past. We live in a society which denies and stifles mistakes. The polarization attempts reached its peak but the situation is getting complicated in terms of trampling on the rule of law. Those who are involved in crime get away with it. As the murder of Dink has not been solved yet, everyone should be careful regarding any similar risk.”
Armenian Genocide conference to be held in eastern Turkey
YEREVAN. – The only wish of the Armenians living in Mus, Turkey, is to have an Armenian-language teacher.
Non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party MP Aragats Akhoyan, who is also vice-chairman of the National Council of Western Armenians, told about the aforementioned to reporters on Tuesday.
Akhoyan recently returned from Mus, where there is an Armenian community again.
“Aside from meetings with the residents of Mus, we also met with the mayors of Van, Diyarbakir (Tigranakert). The last two mayors were just elected, but they were from the same party [i.e., the pro-Kurdish “Peace and Democracy Party” (BDP)]. They promised to be more active than previously.
“As for the Armenian community of Mus, it was created with great difficulty,” the MP said.
In his words, a major conference, which will be devoted to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, will be convened in eastern Turkey.
“Its [working] language will be Armenian, [and it will be held] in one of the largest cities in Western Armenia [i.e., eastern Turkey]; I can’t say more at this time,” Aragats Akhoyan stated.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- …
- 271
- Next Page »