Turkish news for week ending 13 September 2008
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x0x Turkish news for week ending 13 September 2008
[Best when viewed with the courier font.]
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A service of the TURKISH RADIO HOUR, producer of:
TURKISH CULTURAL PROGRAM
Saturdays at 6:00 P.M.
KUSF FM 90.3, San Francisco
Also tune to
ORIENT EXPRESS
Tuesdays at 10:00 P.M.
KKUP FM 91.5, CUPERTINO
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Ahmet Toprak edited today's news. Your hosts are Senem Ozer and Murat
Bozkurt.
For a subscription to the Internet edition of this news,
send a blank email to:
TurkC-L-...@yahoogroups.com
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NEWS
* Turkish prosecutors began investigating a complaint
filed by the Workers' Party, regarding a parallel case
in Germany against Lighthouse e.V., a German charity
linked with state officials and private companies in
Turkey, reports the Turkish Daily News.
Directors of Lighthouse e.V. in Germany confessed
they had embezzled 41.6 million euros of charity money
by transferring it to various companies in Germany and
Turkey.
The criminal complaint made by the IP demands public
proceedings against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television
President Zahid Akman, and directors of the Deniz
Feneri (Lighthouse) Foundation, Kanal 7 and other
companies, all of which are mentioned in the German
prosecutor's indictment.
* Meanwhile, the prime minister and head of the
powerful Dogan media group are in a feud over the media
group's reporting of the Lighthouse affair.
The articles published in the Dogan media group
controlled papers and TV stations simply report what
German authorities are saying, says the boss of the
group Aydin Dogan.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, on the other hand, is
saying that Dogan is trying to avenge government moves
to block some of his business ventures. Moreover, the
Prime Minister is threatening to reveal Dogan's shady
dealings unless the campaign against him and his
government stops.
* The Turkish Daily News reports that International
Press Institute, or IPI, the global network of editors,
media executives and leading journalists in over 120
countries, condemned Prime Minister Erdogan's threats
made against the Dogan group.
"There is no place for Erdogan to question or
criticize the media's right to report on an issue of
public importance, such as the Lighthouse e.V.
corruption scandal, and the media are under no
obligation to justify their reasons for doing so," said
IPI Director David Dadge.
* According to the Turkish daily Turkiye, the Turkish
president Mr. Abdullah Gul traveled to Azerbaijan last
week. As we reported to last week, the Turkish
president was in the neighboring Armenia for historic
visit the previous week. Some Azerbaijanis have not
liked the Turkish president's visit there.
Asked about this, Mr. Gul said "No one should be
disturbed, but if some were, this is unfair to Turkey.
Turkey has long sacrificed its interests to support
Azerbaijan."
Armenia has militarily occupied large swaths of
Azerbaijan for the past 15 years after the two
countries war over Karabag, which also made one million
Azerbaijanis refugees. Some analysts say that Armenia's
victory came with the Russian help.
Since then Turkey has been blocking Armenia's access
to the outside world in support of Azerbaijan. Armenia
is landlocked and Turkish territory and ports are
off-limits in due to the blockade.
The Turkish president also said during his trip to
Azerbaijan that he hoped the Karabag issue between
Azerbaijan and Armenia could be solved through dialogue
and mutual understanding.
* According to the Turkish daily Turkiye, the US
Department of State's coordinator for counterterrorism,
Dell Dailey, said on Thursday that The US and Turkey
share a "unique cooperation" against terrorism.
Mr. Dailey was speaking at a meeting in Washington.
Mr. Dailey said that the two countries have
problem-free relations in many areas. He also said that
his country would welcome tougher laws against
terrorism in Turkey.
* A notorious Turkish ATM hacker Cagatay Evyapan was
arrested Friday by Turkish officials -- despite the
hacker's claim that not even the FBI could catch him,
Turkey's Haber 7 reports.
A well-known figure in the credit card fraud
underground, Cha0 markets a high-quality ATM skimmer
and PIN pad that fraudsters can covertly affix to
certain models of cash machines. The skimmer records
the magstripe data on a consumer's debit or credit card
as they feed it into an ATM, while the PIN pad overlay
stores the user's PIN. The stolen magstripe data can
later be encoded onto a blank card and used to make
withdrawals from victims' accounts.
* According to the Turkish daily Hurriyet, on Thursday
The Turkish government has announced its action plan to
provide support for the textile, ready-to-wear and
leather industries and included 28 additional measures
drafted to give companies in the sector greater
competitiveness.
Among the measures proposed by the action plan is an
incentive package for relocating to priority regions
for development. These regions are usually in Turkey's
impoverished southeastern Anatolia region.
Manufacturers with a minimum of 30 employees would
benefit from 50 percent energy support, value added
sales tax exemption, customs tax exemption, interest
support, discount at social security premiums,
corporation tax discount, allocation of investment
land, and zero-interest credit if they move from
developed regions to priority regions for development.
Industry representatives welcomed the plan and
assessed it as a positive initial step from the
government.
The textile sector, which spearheaded Turkey's
economy for many years, has in recent years been
overtaken by automotive exports as the leading
industry. Turkey's textile sector meets 11 percent of
the country's gross national product and accounts for a
forth of all exports.
In recent years, High input prices and fierce
competition from inferior quality Chinese products have
hit the sector hard.
* Turkey's economy gives alarming signals amid rising
political tensions, writes the Turkish daily Hurriyet.
The lowest growth rate of the last six years, rising
inflation and current account deficit with the
declining trend in the capacity usage have raised the
question marks about Turkey's economy at a time
investors expect the government to make economical
reforms.
Turkey, which has one of the highest interest rates
in emerging markets, expects 4.5 percent growth in
2008, a sharp downturn from several years of growth
near 7 percent.
Inflation also climbed up to almost 12 percent.
Analysts are saying that the government has failed to
heed the warnings and take countermeasures.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Edited by Serkan Hatipoglu
* Seeking ways to offer visitors sports activities
along with sea and sun, Turkish tourism professionals have
turned to bicycle tours.
Tourism companies operating in the Mediterranean
city of Antalya's Kas district take 15 to
20-person tourist groups to racecourses in the
Taurus Mountains. Professional guides accompany
them on bicycle tours held on an approximately
30-meter-long racecourse on the Gombe Plateau.
As part of these tours, tourists set out from
Kas by bus, with stops for pictures. They arrive
at the 1,500-meter Katran Mount near Kas'
Sutlegen village and start cycling. Riding among
cedar tree forests, which only exist in Turkey,
Canada and Lebanon, they view the Cyprus River
Valley, which was devastated last year in a fire.
After a three-hour trip they reach Ugrara village
and dine with villagers for an introduction to
rural life.
Scottish woman Alisan Murry, who participated in
the bicycle tour, said it was a challenge but that
she was impressed by the natural scenery.
See more at:
<http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=1195>
* Archeologists are protesting as excavations of
the 2,500-year-old city of Lagina, in Turkey's
Southwestern province of Mugla, have been halted due
to a lack of financial resources.
"A coal mine has been widening and is coming
very near to the ancient city," said the head of
the excavation team, professor Ahmet Tirpan. "If
we can't find finance for Lagina, which is home to
a great deal of invaluable artifacts, excavations
will continue for 400 years more and these
artifacts will remain under coal deposits."
The coal mining which is a threatening the excavation site is only
350
yards away.
Excavations have been ongoing since 1993 in
cooperation with Konya's Selcuk University and
Mugla's Pamukkale University. Thousands of
historical artifacts have been brought to the
surface during the excavations.
Prof. Tirpan said historical artifacts should be moved
to Milas' Oren district, which is currently
undertaking construction in to create Europe's
largest open air archeology park.
The excavations in Lagina were started in 1883
by a famous Turkish painter and one of Turkey's
first archeologists, Osman Hamdi Bey. However,
they lasted for less than a year.
The excavations resumed 100 years later and a
large portion of the sanctuary of Hekate, the moon
goddess, and thousands of historical artifacts
were uncovered.
The friezes of the Hekate Sanctuary are
currently on display at Istanbul's Archaeology
Museum. Four different themes are depicted: on the
eastern frieze, scenes from the life of Zeus; on
the western frieze, a battle between gods and
giants; on the southern frieze, a gathering of
Carian gods; and on the northern frieze, a battle
of Amazons.
See more at:
<http://www.lagina.org/dvdeng.htm>
* The Mediterranean city of Antalya's Kas
Township has become an attractive location for
divers. Hosting thousands of local and
foreign tourists, Kas has welcomed many diving
addicts in recent years. It is reported that the
number of diving schools has reached to 13, with
15,000 people each year diving in 35 locations
around the region.
One of the most popular areas for divers is the
submerged "Uluburun 3," a ship which was
constructed by the "360 degree Historical Research
Group" and boat expert Hayrullah Kes in just 40
days, and then sunk with a ceremony.
"Kas has become one of the world's important
diving centers and thanks to the promotional works
to be carried out by the government, Kas might
become the most important diving center in the
world," said Yusuf Ziya Islekol, an underwater
guide in Kas.
See more at:
<http://www.gototurkey.co.uk/index.php?menu_id=367&submen=367>
* The legendary dance company, which changed the
perception of American dance in the world, Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater, is going to present
three special shows in Istanbul as part of their "50th
Anniversary" world tour. The performances will
take place at Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar Convention Hall on
September 17-19.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's
choreographies bring together different kinds of
dances from classical and modern ballet, to jazz
and ethnic accompanied by gospel, as well as
popular music.
The group, established by Alvin Ailey in New
York and currently led by Artistic Director Judith
Jamison, has performed for 21 million people in 71
countries, and its popularity, especially abroad,
is still rising.
The Istanbul shows, each night from Sept. 17 to 19
starting at 8.30pm, will consist of four parts.
"Night Creature" is one of Ailey's most
classically choreographed ballets, considered as a
tribute to the exuberance of Duke Ellington's
jazz.
"Solo," divided between three dancers, according
to the choreographer Hans van Manen, "epitomizes
dance at its essence." "Love Stories" are Judith
Jamison's dynamic collaboration with hip-hop
pioneer Rennie Harris and modern dance maverick
Robert Battle.
In "Revelations," Alvin Ailey pays tribute to
the African-American, "sometimes sorrowful,
sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful," heritage
in the history of the United States.
The genius of Alvin Ailey changed forever the
perception of American dance. Today the legacy
continues with the remarkable vision of Judith
Jamison, the extraordinary artistry of the
theater's dancers and the organization's
innovative programs.
See more at:
<http://www.mymerhaba.com/Alvin-Ailey-American-Dance-Theater-in-
Turkey-3620.html>
<http://www.alvinailey.org/>
* As part of a project called the Mediterranean
Operas Youth Presentations, talented but undiscovered international
opera
artists will gather in the Turkey's Mediterranean city of
Mersin. The project, which will not start before
2010, aims to bring attention to the city's
artistic and economic life.
The project, called the Mediterranean Operas Youth
Presentations, is organized by Selman Ada,
director of the Mersin State Opera and Ballet.
The project is expected to contribute to the
city's artistic and economic life. Opera employers
will also be invited to Mersin, which is a good
opportunity for young opera artists to show
themselves on stage.
After the opera project is carried out, a second one
will be held to host ballet dancers. "We will be
able to provide opportunities to
ballet dancers. All in all, young artists that
will participate in these two projects will take
the stage for the first time in their life in
Mersin," said Ada, adding Mersin would be the
starting point in their careers.
The two projects will also contribute to the
promotion of Turkey around the world, which is
expected to yield more fruits in terms of tourism.
Ada said they would expose Mersin's cultural
heritage and tourism assets to the guests during
the project and organize sightseeing tours for
them.
See more at:
<http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=115042>
EXCHANGE RATE
EXCHANGE RATE for the U.S. dollar in Turkish Liras: 1.24
WEATHER
High and Low Temperatures in Degrees F, Weather
Ankara, in central Turkey----------: 88/59 Partly showers
Antalya, on the Mediterranean------: 86/59 Partly cloudy
Erzurum in eastern Turkey----------: 84/43 Mostly Cloudy
Istanbul, in northwestern Turkey---: 90/54 Partly cloudy
Izmir, on the Aegean---------------: 81/68 Partly showers
Trabzon, on the Black Sea----------: 86/57 Mostly Cloudy
Seawater temperatures
Black Sea measured at Trabzon 77
Marmara Sea measured at Tekirdag 75
Aegean Sea measured at Bodrum 79
Mediterranean Sea measured at Alanya 86
SPORTS
Soccer Premier League
Hacettepe - Fenerbahe: 2 - 1
Konyaspor - Denizlispor: 1 - 1
Kayserispor - Kocaelispor: 1 - 0
Galatasaray - Antalyaspor: 1 - 1
* In the Paralympics Games, the Turkish archer Ms. Gizem Girismen
receive
the gold medal.
Earlier, Neslihan Kavas of Turkey won bronze medal in table-tennis
after
beating her Polish opponent Malgorzata Grzelak.
Over 4,000 elite athletes with disabilities from 150 countries
gathered in
Beijing for the Paralympic Summer Games from September 6th through
the
17th.
*** ANNOUNCEMENTS
*** Turkish American Association of California is a non-profit
charitable organization established to promote better
understanding between Americans and Turks.
If you have any questions about Turks and Turkey,
e-mail them at ta...@taaca.org
*** Planning to go to Turkey? Take a look at our Web pages
that are full of articles and information furnished by
travelers like yourselves:
*** For more music from Turkey and the Middle East tune to
International Cultural Program.
San Francisco World TV Channel 29
Sundays at 9-10 A.M.
*** Bay Area Turkish Community School [ See more
at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/batcs ] will start 2008-09
school
year on Sunday September 7th with the registration at the Los
Altos
Community Center.
We hope to see the Turkish-American children (5-12 years of age)
and
their families who'd like to register or to find out more about
the
school.
2008-09 calendar and the address for the Hillview Community
Center
are:
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
Hillview Community Center
Room 16
97 Hillview Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94022
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
*** The Middle East Center at Berkeley [CMES/berkeley.edu] is
sponsoring a conference on Istanbul. Mst of these events are open
to the public.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Orienting Istanbul" Exhibition
Exhibit - Multimedia | September 24 - 28, 2008 every day | Wurster
Hall, 1st Floor Foyer
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Orienting Istanbul: Cultural Capital of Europe?
Conference/Symposium | September 25 - 27, 2008 every day |
Stephens
Hall, Sultan Room, 340 Stephens Hall
The Sound of Istanbul: 1950-2004
Lecture: Interdisciplinary Lecture Series | September 25 | 5 p.m.
|
Stephens Hall, Sultan Conference Room/ Stephens 340
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