News Scan for Turkey, August 26th, 2017

Turkish PM’s reaction to my remarks on Iraqi Kurdish referendum are against political kindness: MHP head

Turkey’s opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has criticized Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım over replying to his comments regarding the planned independence referendum in the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) of northern Iraq.

Bahçeli had suggested that the vote should be deemed a “cause of war” for Ankara if necessary, prompting Yıldırım to say that it doesn’t amount to a “casus belli.”

“The fact that Yıldırım reacted hastily and felt necessity to correct my comments on the dangers our country is facing is against political kindness and grace,” Bahçeli said on Aug. 26, as he added that those that need to be criticized and their “treacherous intentions” are in Arbil. “This referendum is a sneaky prestudy and a dark precursor move in order for the foundation of Kurdistan. It’s a national necessity for Yıldırım to see this,” Bahçeli also said.

The planned referendum in northern Iraq has been on the agenda of Turkey for a number of days, with Ankara calling on KRG President Masoud Barzani to cancel the vote on Sept. 25

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-pms-reaction-to-my-remarks-on-iraqi-kurdish-referendum-are-against-political-kindness-mhp-head.aspx?pageID=238&nID=117228&NewsCatID=338

Turkey to boost number of Asian tourists in 2018, Culture and Tourism Minister Kurtulmuş says

Turkey will aim to attract more tourists and business from the far east in the next year, Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmuş said Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Kurtulmuş said that Turkey’s new tourism strategy will focus on boosting tourism and business with Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India and others.

He noted that Turkey is planning to diversify and expand its tourism market. “We want to take advantage of China’s tourism potential” Kurtulmuş said, noting that the majority of tourists visiting Turkey comes from the Middle East and Europe.

https://www.dailysabah.com/tourism/2017/08/26/turkey-to-boost-number-of-asian-tourists-in-2018-culture-and-tourism-minister-kurtulmus-says

Turkey’s main opposition CHP launches a Justice Congress

Turkey’s main opposition party CHP (Republican People’s Party) has launched a Justice Congress in the western Çanakkale province of the country with the aim of creating a platform to continue voicing the demands of the people for justice.

The Congress, which starts on Saturday, August 26, is scheduled to last for a total of 5 days and expected to draw tens of thousands, who will have a chance to attend a number of panels and workshops at the historic Kocatepe field of Çanakkale. Over 700 speakers, including academicians, authors, and politicians with a diverse background, will deliver speeches under eight main panel topics. The first of the topics to be discussed will be ‘justice in courts’, which will then be followed by speeches and discussions on justice in daily life, elections, religion, livelihood, education, and state.

The decision for holding this historic congress came shortly after the completion of the 450-kilometer ‘Justice March’ from Ankara to İstanbul, which was started off by the party’s leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and joined by tens of thousands throughout.

http://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/turkey-s-main-opposition-chp-launches-a-justice-congress-176571.html

Turkey sends military equipment to troops near Syrian border

A military shipment of storm howitzer artillery and M114s were transported to Turkey’s Elbeyli district in the border province of Kilis. A convoy of 10 trucks carrying storm howitzers and M114s were sent to border police stations to combat the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Democratic Union Party (PYD)/People’s Protection Units (YPG) on the Syrian side of the border.

The military equipment was deployed to border troops affiliated to the 3rd Border Battalion Command.

http://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-sends-military-equipment-to-troops-near-syrian-border-2786191

CHP MP’s arrest was last straw, Turkey’s main opposition leader says during ‘justice congress’

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Aug. 26 launched its “justice congress” in the western province of Çanakkale, planning to hold workshops, panels and discussions on Turkey’s current justice record.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu addressed the participants at the start of the congress, saying that the party “doesn’t want tensions or fights, but rather searches for justice.” “We want to live peacefully in our country. We want a fair Turkey,” Kılıçdaroğlu said early on Aug. 26, as the crowds chanted “Rights, Law, Justice.”

The CHP previously carried out a “justice march” and a “justice rally” after its Istanbul deputy Enis Berberoğlu was sentenced to 25 years in prison on June 14 on charges of providing daily Cumhuriyet with video purporting to show Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MİT) trucks heading to Syria.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-mps-arrest-was-last-straw-turkeys-main-opposition-leader-says-during-justice-congress-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=117221&NewsCatID=338

Turkish Cypriots soon to receive power from Turkey via underwater cable system

ork on the power supply from Turkey to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) via a subsea electricity cable is nearly complete, Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun said.

“We anticipate that the project – planned to be commissioned by the end of this year – will be completed in approximately two to two-and-a-half years. When the project is finalized, electricity in the KKTC will be connected to the motherland,” Atun said. Atun told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they signed an energy cooperation agreement with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak on Oct. 11, 2016 in order to receive undersea electricity being transferred from Turkey to the KKTC.

In addition to discussing the electricity needs of the people of the KKTC, he also noted that it is important for them to be able to provide electricity to the region, in line with their global vision. Atun said the joint energy working groups formed with Turkey in accordance with the agreement have gathered several times and that their studies are nearly completed.

https://www.dailysabah.com/energy/2017/08/26/turkish-cypriots-soon-to-receive-power-from-turkey-via-underwater-cable-system

Turkey commemorates 946th anniversary of Manzikert battle

Hundreds around Turkey are on Saturday commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, which marks the victory of the Seljuk Empire over the Byzantines 946 years ago.

Commemorations were held across the country to mark the pivotal victory. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed mass crowds that gathered at 1071 Victory Square in Mus province in Eastern Turkey.

In 1071, the Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine army, opening up Anatolia for Turkish rule. After the Byzantine army were destroyed, the Seljuks went on to capture Anatolia from the Byzantine Empire.

“The Manzikert victory awarded us with a future. Approximately two centuries after this victory, the seeds of the Ottoman Empire started to spread across Anatolia and then across the globe,” said Erdogan.

http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-commemorates-946th-anniversary-of-manzikert-battle-9969

26.08.2017
compiled by Editor BTT

This is a news-scan from major Turkish papers and internet sites. However, we do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.