NEWS SCAN for Turkey – June 10th, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
Crowds gather for a massive rally in Istanbul’s Taksim Square
It is reported that protests allover Turkey are continuing in support of the ongoing protests at Taksim which again became the heart of the movement as thousands gathered for a rally at the heart of the city on Sunday evening.
The rally was organized by the Taksim Solidarity Platform which set up a stage in the middle of the square.
It was expressed by the platform that their demands had not been met by officials, which prompted the continuation of the protests “that are set to last until all the demands are met.”
PM Erdoğan says “Patience has its limits” regarding Gezi Park protests
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed large crowds in Ankara yesterday. In a speech during a rally at Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport on his return to the Turkish capital June 9 Erdoğan said “Patience has its limits” seending a strong message to protestors at Gezi Park.
He also said “Don’t you see this? How can you attack my police? There are those who side with those swearing against the prime minister of this country. We are going to show patience, but patience has a limit as well. Those who hide behind the protestors should first learn what politics is”. The PM did not signal any sign of concession on his plans to redevelop Taksim Square after the demolition of Gezi Park.
Erdoğan stated that the government’s patience was running out. He said “If you have a problem you can choose your representatives and convey them to my mayor, my governor or myself. But if you continue like this, I will be obliged to speak in a language that you understand. We will respond accordingly” .
Borsa Istanbul opens with one hour delay due to technical problem
It is reported that Borsa Istanbul, Turkey’s Stock Exchange opened with one hour delay due to a technical problem on Monday June 10th. The stock market was opened by around 1.82 percent decrease as compared to Friday.
PM Erdoğan had blamed a “high interest-rate lobby” for causing volatility in financial markets earlier, in a series of meetings. This had caused serious concerns as to the market could be severely affected in a negative manner due to said statements by the PM.
Borsa Istanbul had dropped by 10.47 percent, the lowest slide for the last decade, on the first day of the week on June 3, due to the protests and harsh response by the police forces, analysts had said. There was a $1 billion loss at the stock exchange for the whole week.
BIST plummeted by 4.7 percent on May 6, then rebounded 1.6 percent to 75,854 on Friday morning and closed the day at 78.332.
Mining industry reaches $2.81 billion exports in the first five months
It is reported that mining exports of Turkey has increased to $2.8 billion in the first five months of 2013 which corresponds to a jump of 37 percent compared to last year.
According to the data provided by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Turkey enjoys a rapid increase of mining sector exports in 2013 as well.
It is recorded that Turkey’s mining exports totaled to $1.52 billion in the first five months of last year, and this has increased to $2.82 billion in the first five months of 2013.
It is also recorded that China, the U.S., Belgium, Iraq and Italy were at the top of the export list, where the biggest share was natural stone with $833.2 million.
BDP deputies hold a press conference in İstanbul to deliver important messsages
BDP Co-Chairman Selahattin Demirtaş Pervin Buldan and Sabahat Tuncel held a press conference in İstanbul on Friday after a visit they paid to Imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan on IMRALI island. According to the deputies Ocalan said said in his message on Friday he had been doing his best to resolve the Kurdish conflict and that the ball was in the government’s court.
Demirtas read out the message from Ocalan who expressed that he applauded the protests against the government’s reconstruction plan for Gezi Park in İstanbul but also warned against attempts by ultranationalists and Ergenekon supporters among the protesters to hijack the demonstrations. Öcalan said in his message that he viewed the Gezi Park protests as meaningful and important. However, he said, democrats, revolutionaries, compatriots and progressive circles should not allow Ergenekon supporters and ultranationalists to dominate or lead the protests.
10.06.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
