WORLD POLITICAL ORDER MUST BE MORE MULTILATERAL, TURKISH FM SAYS
The world political order must be more multilateral and participatory, and must represent all humanity, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Sunday.
"We don't want to have a political hierarchy in the world, where certain countries, certain nations, have more to say on the future of political order in the coming decades and centuries," Davutoğlu said. "We want to have more participation, more multi-lateralism, more representation [at a global political level]."
The foreign minister made his remarks in a speech at the opening ceremony of the Intellectuals Forum, part of the 4th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, or LDC-IV. The event is being held between May 9 and 13 at Istanbul's Lütfi Kırdar Convention & Exhibition Center.
There is too much discriminatory terminology in the global political and economic arena, according to Davutoğlu, who said this reflected differentiation made among the world's countries.
"There are permanent members in the U.N. Security Council, and permanent [means] they will decide on about what will be happening in the world [in the future], it means they have the right of veto," the minister said, calling this system unjust and in need of change.
"There should be no difference between the fortunate winners and unfortunate victims," Davutoğlu said.
He added that even terminology reflecting global economic order, including the "G-8, G-20, developed countries, emerging developing countries, least developed countries," had to be reviewed.
"We need to have a new approach to redefine the system of global economic order," the minister said.
"Some argue underdevelopment of LDCs comes from these countries' colonial background, others say it is due to bad governance and corruption," Davutoğlu said, adding that it would be more productive to discuss how such countries could be better developed in the future, rather than look for historical causes.
Issues such as environment and climate change also have to be part of such discussions, he said.
Universal declaration of economic rights
All human beings have to enjoy the same economic rights, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, religion or any other background, Davutoğlu said, calling for a "universal declaration of economic rights, besides that on human rights."
In the wake of the recent global financial crisis, the world has been discussing a new global financial architecture, but "at the same time, we need a new economic global architecture based on values of justice and distribution, as well as productivity and efficiency," Davutoğlu said. He added that none of these values had to be sacrificed for the others.
The principles guiding global cultural order must be inclusiveness and interaction, according to Davutoğlu, who said there had to be no exclusion of certain cultures and no confrontation among cultures and civilizations in the world.
THIRD WAVE OF TAPE SCANDAL HITS TURKEY'S MHP, TO FURY OF LEADER
The Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, was hit with a third wave of "tape scandal" on Saturday with the release online of more R-rated footage of two senior party members with young female university students.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli harshly responded Sunday to the incident; he said that those who engage in immoral acts and have moral weaknesses would not stay in the party.
Speaking at his party's election rally in Istanbul, Bahçeli also suggested the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, and the Gülen religious community might be behind the release of the footage.
"We will eliminate those who act in opposition to our principles. Some already known factors are trying to eliminate our party, which stands as an obstacle before them," Bahçeli said, implying that he would ask for the resignation of the MHP officials involved.
Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, during his election rally Sunday in the Central Anatolian city of Niğde, likewise held the government and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responsible for the incidents. "Mr. Recep's new hobby is to watch below-the-belt tapes and use them [politically]... If some illegal things take place and if some phones are wiretapped, then it is you, Mr. Recep, who is responsible for that," Kılıçdaroğlu said.
Commenting on the issue, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said the government did not support the revelation of people's private lives.
"There may some who plan to benefit from such things but we don't make our politics via ugly things such as tapes or their publication. We don't wonder about people's private lives," he said.
The images, which allegedly show deputy party leader Bülent Didinmez and former Istanbul Provincial Chairman İhsan Barutçu, were recorded, as in former incidents, with hidden cameras, according to media reports.
Similar footage released last month allegedly showed MHP deputy leaders Metin Çobanoğlu and Recai Yıldırım kissing two women after talking about topics ranging from the upcoming June 12 general elections to sexual fantasies.
Following the release of the tape, Yıldırım and Çobanoğlu resigned from their posts and as deputy candidates for the election upon the request of Bahçeli, who also urged other party officials to resign in advance if they suspect similar plots against them.
It was claimed after the scandal broke out that eight more tapes exist with similar footage of MHP officials.
Bahçeli earlier said such plots were staged by those who want to eliminate the MHP from the scene ahead of the election, also calling on the AKP government and the prosecutor's office to reveal the incidents.
The party was hit with a second "tape scandal" at the beginning of May, when more R-rated footage of two deputies - - and featuring many women, including a 16-year-old minor -- was posted online. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/17740587.asp?gid=381
WE ARE THE VOICE OF GLOBAL CONSCIENCE
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said esteem of Turkey in the world has gradually increased and noted, "we are from now on the voice of conscience."
Davutoglu said the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) would start in Istanbul on Monday and noted, "we want a louder voice against inequalities in international economy."
http://www.yenisafak.com.tr/Politika/?t=08.05.2011&i=318144
PEEPING POLITICS
Turkey is discussing blackmail tapes instead of projects when general elections are ahead. Secret sex tapes leaked out to the press one after the other have started to darken politics again. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), replied to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks that "he has become the leader of the party with a tape." Kilicdaroglu said, "Mr. Recep's new interest is sex tapes. Do not defend illegal things." Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), addressed Erdogan and said, "decipher peepers who peep private lives."
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc criticized breach of private lives, however he also asked MHP to apologize.
http://www.radikal.com.tr/Radikal.aspx?aType=RadikalYazar&ArticleID=1048704&Yazar=MURAT&Date=09.05.2011&CategoryID=98
PEOPLE WANTS DEMIR TO RESIGN
A public survey carried out in 31 provinces revealed that 76% of the participants believed that this year's university entrance exam was not fair at all. 68% of them defended that Student Selection and Placement Centre (OSYM) Chairman Ali Demir should resign. Only 37% said that the government was not responsible for the problems in this year's exam.
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/17740360.asp?gid=386
HABERAL TO BE CHP LEADER
It has been claimed that Ergenekon suspect Mehmet Haberal's eyes are on Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu's (nicknamed Gandhi) position. Haberal, who became a CHP member and a candidate MP at the last minute in the general election process, is expected to stand for leadership after elections.
http://www.yenisafak.com.tr/Politika/?t=09.05.2011&i=318229
'WE ARE NO DIASPORA,' PROMINENT TURKISH ARMENIANS SAY
Prominent Turkish Armenians who received awards Sunday from Armenia's diaspora minister said they cannot be seen as members of a diaspora because they live on the land where their ancestors have lived for thousands of years.
"I would prefer not to have a diaspora minister in Turkey," author Mıgırdıç Margosyan told the Hürriyet Daily News before receiving his gold medal from Armenian minister Hranuysh Hagopyan.
"I've been living on the land that [we have] been living on for thousands of years. I am not in the diaspora. This is a terrible irony," Margosyan said. The writer also directed his criticism toward the Turkish government; he said that the lack of a Turkish state official at the ceremony was disappointing.
After attending the Global Summit of Women in Istanbul, Hagopyan handed out medals to 15 Turkish Armenians, including Margosyan, composers Garo Mafyan and Cenk Taşkan and Alis Manukyan, the first Armenian female vocalist in Turkey's State Opera and Ballet.
"We are living in the lands where we have to live. And we continue to pay our debt to these lands," Mafyan, who is arguably the best-known popular music composer, told the Daily News. He added that he is ready to do everything he can to make sure dialogue continues between Turkey and Armenia.
"It is [still] very important to receive an award from Armenia for contributing to Turkish popular music," he said.
Speaking after the award ceremony, acting Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said Hagopyan's being invited to Turkey is a source of hope for Turkey's Armenians. "All foreign heads of state and ministers visit the Armenian Patriarchate and the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate," Ateşyan said. "We are proud to host a minister from Armenia. We wish for friendship and dialogue between the two peoples."
The Daily News has meanwhile learned that a top-level delegation from the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, will visit the Armenian Patriarchate and the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on Tuesday. It was unclear as the Daily News went to press Sunday whether CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would be joining the visit.
TURKISH LAWYERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF COURTS WITH SPECIAL AUTHORITY
Courts with special authority should immediately be closed, the Turkish Bar Association said Sunday following a general assembly meeting in the southern city of Adana.
In its declaration, the association said courts with special authority are the successors to the former "State Security Courts" and their immediate closure is a requirement for democracy, the rule of law and the right to fair judgment, the Anatolia news agency reported.
The association said the group and its lawyers, as the establishers of the judicial system, would consistently make this demand and would not hesitate to use "their power deriving from the law" if necessary.
Lawyers demanded the "defense" statue take its place in the "judiciary" part of the Constitution and be taken under constitutional reassurance.
"The necessary condition for an objective and independent judiciary is to have a free and independent defense," the declaration said. "We can not accept the fact that during the discussions on judiciary reforms, the representatives of the defense are not even spoken with as a part of the judiciary."
ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST HELD PRIOR TO UN CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
A group of protesters from the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association demonstrated Sunday against Israeli participants who arrived in Turkey to attend a U.N. conference.
"The Zionist Israeli state that stained the whole world in order to serve its own interests is one of the most responsible parties behind world poverty and tears," said İsmail Yılmaz, the chairman of the association, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Spoke before the group, which gathered in front of the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Yılmaz claimed Israel and those who collaborated with it were responsible for exploiting the resources of the countries that are the subject of this week's 4th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, or LDC-IV.
He added that the development of Palestine, which has all the resources it needs, was also being hindered by Israel and its allies.
"This embargo is a dark spot in world history. All the people of Gaza are being held in an open-air prison. The foremost responsibility that stands before the United Nations is the lifting of this embargo," said Yılmaz.
TURKISH, U.S. COMPANIES LAY FOUNDATION OF FIGHTER ENGINE FACTORY IN WESTERN TURKEY
Turkey's Kale Group and U.S. Pratt & Whitney company laid on Saturday the foundation of F135 fighter engine factory in the western province of Izmir.
President Abdullah Gul attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the factory in the Aegean Free Zone in Izmir.
In the summer of 2010, Pratt & Whitney and Kale Havacilik San, A.S., (Kale Group) announced the formation of a joint venture partnership to produce aircraft engine components. Under the terms of the joint venture, Kale will own 51% and Pratt & Whitney will own 49% of the joint venture company.
The joint venture will specialize in manufacturing hardware for the F135 engine powering the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
In the future, the partnership will expand to support highly complex metal fabrications and spare parts for Pratt & Whitney military fighter engine models F100 and F119, and military transport engine model F117.
Kale Havacilik is part of a large and a diversified industrial conglomerate of Turkey, Kale Group. The group embracing over fifty years of experience in building materials is also active in robotics, energy, in addition to defense and aerospace. Kale has been a reliable supplier in various national and multi-national defense and aerospace projects since 1989.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
http://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kategori-haberleri/4.html
TURKISH PREMIER CALLS ON CITIZENS TO GIVE MESSAGE OF BROTHERHOOD AT UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Turkey's prime minister called on Turkish citizens to give a message of brotherhood in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at Justice and Development (AK) Party's rally in northwestern Duzce province, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said majority of Turkish citizens were Muslims, however religions of minorities in the country were also respected and protected.
Erdogan also said various languages were spoken in different parts of Turkey and this should be seen as a richness.
"People may speak Turkish, Kurdish, Zazaish, Bosnian, Lazuri or Circassian. These are all our wealth and there is no need to fear. Hopefully, after the elections, the first step will be taken for advanced democracy," he said.
"Let us give a message of brotherhood in the June 12 elections so that both Qandil and Silivri will draw lessons from it and Turkey's enemies will be surprised," the premier added.
Addressing citizens in northwestern Zonguldak as well, Erdogan said what his government had done for Turkey's labor force in the last 8.5 years was more than what had been done throughout the history of the Republic.
http://www.aa.com.tr/tr/telsizlere-dustu-hedef-ak-parti.html
UN SECRETARY GENERAL APPRECIATES TURKEY'S STANCE
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that he appreciated active approach of Turkey towards developments in the region.
Ban replied questions of Ahmet Boken, Chief Editor of Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) news channel.
Asked how he assessed active approach of Turkey with respect to developments in Libya, Syria, Middle East and North Africa, Ban said he appreciated Turkey's approach with strong expressions.
Ban said he welcomed "very effective diplomatic initiatives" displayed under the leadership of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul.
Future of Libya
Responding to a question about NATO operation carried out in Libya and the stance of Turkey on the matter, the UN Secretary General said he appreciated the initiatives of the Turkish government and its stance in putting forth the road map.
Ban said he encouraged a close cooperation between the Turkish executives and the UN Special Envoy for Libya, Abdelilah Al-Khatib. He said the violence environment in Libya still continues.
He also said the UN was very active in ensuring humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of foreign workers from [Libya], and noted that he appreciated stance of the Turkish Government in helping with its ships the evacuation of at least 1,000 injured people.
"The UN extends support on foodstuff which is a vital need. Unfortunately, we had to withdraw the UN representatives temporarily from humanitarian assistance two weeks ago because of violent attacks. We made a call to Gaddafi and his regime to put an end to attacks that killed people. Impediments from the regime should be removed for the shipment of urgent needs like foodstuff, water and health elements," he said.
Syria
Referring to situation in Syria, Ban said he talked to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a few days ago and asked him what the UN and the international community could do to contribute to dealing with this difficult situation.
Ban said he conveyed to Al-Assad all his concerns regarding human rights violations and all related possibilities.
Underlining that Turkey was at a strategic point, Ban said that Turkey had displayed important initiatives in the name of world peace, and thatTurkey carried out important studies regarding the peace talks in the Middle East, and exhibited cooperation on the issues of African Union and Libya.
Referring to the high importance of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, Ban said UN would continue actively to support Turkish initiatives on peace, security and development.
Cyprus
Responding to a question on the issue of the future of Cyprus, Ban said leaders of both communities in Cyprus were involved in an active negotiation process. He said two tripartite meetings have so far been held at the summit level.
Ban said there would be meetings in June or July, at a date that would become definite later, and noted that some progress could be recorded on the economy and the EU within the scope of ongoing talks. However, he noted there were things to be done on very important issues like property and security. Ban said he called on both leaders to make their differences come closer, and noted the leaders had to do this in the spirit of win-win and and compromise.
Ban said the leaders had to display flexibility and discuss issues in detail. He said an important meeting would be held next month, and noted that he would meet with Prime Minister Erdogan about displaying an encouraging stance regarding the matter.
Ban said he would also meet with the Greek foreign minister in Istanbul.
Turkey's non-permanent membership to UN Security Council
Asked how he would act in case Turkey would like to assume non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for a second time, Ban said that the Turkish government and Turkish diplomats displayed an influential diplomatic ability and leadership during the process of non-permanent membership.
Ban said he hoped Turkey would again be represented in UN Security Council again; however, he noted that this depended on the support of UN member countries.
Referring to Turkey's hosting the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) to take place in Istanbul, Ban said Turkish government and the people made an important contribution to the common difficulties of humanity besides Turkey's contributions to regional peace and security in general sense.
Ban also said he welcomed the cooperation agreement signed between the UN Television and the TRT.
http://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kategori-haberleri/3.html
TURKEY'S CHIEF NEGOTIATOR SAYS TURKEY DESERVES EU MEMBERSHIP
The Turkish chief negotiator for talks with the European Union (EU) said on Sunday that Turkey deserved to become an EU member. Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis, together with Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek and representatives of EU countries, attended the opening of a park of the Secretariat General for EU Affairs in the Turkish capital.
Speaking at the gathering, Bagis said thatTurkey had been sharing the same values with European countries for a long time.
Pointing to the EU's acceptance of former anti-Western countries as members, Bagis noted that the union should review its stance against Turkey.
"EU is not an economic or political union for us, but it is a peace project. As we are the members of a country that believes in peace despite all obstacles, we will walk on this path with determination and we will not step back from our reforms," Bagis said.
"We deserve EU membership and we will achieve this goal sooner or later," the minister added.
http://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kategori-haberleri/2.html
WE SET THE AGENDA
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, escorted by three helicopters belonging to the Police Department, travelled to Yigilca town of northwestern Duzce province yesterday. Speaking at a gathering in Yigilca, Erdogan said, "Turkey is no more a country whose agenda is determined by others. Turkey sets the agenda now".
http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/?kn=6&ilk=20
CHAIN OF DAMS TO PKK
11 dams planned against terrorism with the support of Chief of General Staff will constitute a natural impediment against militants of PKK. Six of the 11 dams constructed in Sirnak and Hakkari region of the Iraqi border will be completed this year. Five of them will be ready for summit. The dams will also be beneficial to prevent smuggling and floods.
http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2011/05/08/sinirda-pkkya-barajla-abluka
