NEWS SCAN for Turkey – July 2nd, 2013

Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.

Deputy PM of Turkey says Jewish diaspora was behind Gezi protests

Foreign powers and the Jewish diaspora have triggered the unrest in Turkey and worked effectively to boost it, Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay said yesterday in the Central Anatolian province of Kırıkkale. Atalay also said the international media had a big role in “the conspiracy” and had led the unrest well. The ones trying to block the way of Great Turkey will not succeed. There are some circles that are jealous of Turkey’s growth. They are all uniting, on one side the Jewish diaspora. You saw the foreign media’s attitude during the Gezi Park incidents; they bought it and started broadcasting immediately, without doing an evaluation of the case”.

The Gezi protests started May 31, triggered by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s plan to remove a unique green area, Gezi Park, next to the iconic Taksim Square to build a replica of Ottoman artillery barracks and mall.  A sit-in by peaceful protesters turned into mass protests across the country with nearly 2 million people in 79 of the 81 Turkish cities attending, according to Interior Ministry estimates.

 Turkish Jews react to Deputy PM’s remarks blaming “Jewish diaspora”

The Turkish Jewish Community issued a press release today on their website regarding Atalay’s words, saying they were trying to get more information about the remarks with regard to the details, meaning and content.

“However, we would like to express our concern that all Jews around the world, including Turkish Jews, may become the target because of this sort of generalization in almost every situation,” the statement read.

Thousands march in Sivas for massacre anniversary

Thousands, including groups from Alevis living abroad and deputies from the main opposition CHP, march toward the Madımak Hotel in Sivas to commemorate 35 victims killed in an arcon attack. AA photo

Thousands marched today to the Madımak Hotel in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas to commemorate the 20th anniversary of an arson attack in which 33 mostly Alevi intellectuals and two hotel workers were killed.

The families carried pictures of their lost loved ones who were killed in the arson attack on July 1 and 2, 1993 led by a mob on a hotel where mostly Alevi intellectuals and artists who had come to Sivas for a conference were staying.The march, including groups from Alevis living abroad and deputies from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), started from Ethembey Park toward the Madımak Hotel.

Two consortiums compete in Golden Horn port project in Turkey

Two bids for the tender for the privatization of the shipyards in Istanbul’s Golden Horn (Haliç) were submitted early today.

The Sembol-Ekopark İnşaat-Fine Otelcilik joint venture and Cengiz-Taca-Galeri İnşaat joint venture presented their offers for the Haliç Yacht Port and Complex Project, following the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, organized by the Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communication.

Doğuş Holding, which also presented its offer in an envelope, did not join in the tender, said Yalçın Eyigün, the head of the tender commission, noting that Doğuş had submitted a letter of thanks.

“After completing the examinations, an auction for 45-year rent offer will be held,” said Eyigün.

Government determined to go ahead with settlement process despite tensions

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed to continue the ongoing settlement process aimed at resolving Turkey’s decades-old Kurdish issue despite tensions that have flared in southeastern Turkey recently, but insisted that his government will not yield to pressure from the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) to stop construction of new military outposts and dams in the region.

“Those who want to sabotage this process, spoil this atmosphere in the country can never get rid of the responsibility, the black stain and pangs of remorse [that their actions will lead to]. We set our hearts on the process. We risked our lives for this process. No sabotage or provocation can deter us from this blessed journey and seeking a solution,” Erdoğan said.

Lice incident, ill attempt to cover up illicit drug trafficking

Turkish PM Erdogan slammed those trying to obscure drug trafficking via protests and attack on military outpost in SE Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, regarding last week’s Lice scuffle in Turkey’s southeastern province Diyarbakir, the incident was indirectly related to illicit hashish trade, the most important financial resource of terrorism, in the region.

Speaking at his AK Party group meeting at the Turkish Parliament, PM Erdogan underlined that the solution process started when Justice & Development (AK) Party was founded, and would go on.

“We have seen the future of Turkey in the solution process, which should be successfully completed,” told Erdogan.

02.07.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA

We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.