NEWS SCAN for Turkey – May 29th, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
President Gül welcomes EU’s Syria arms decision warns against sectarian war
Turkish President Abdullah Gül who made a joint press conference with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki yesterday said he welcomed the EU decision to lift the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition and added “It’s obvious that nobody can suppress people through arms and the army. In this respect, we welcome the world and international community to support them,”
President Abdullah Gül also warned against a sectarian war in the Muslim world, criticizing the inclusion of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria’s 26-month civil war. Gül urged the Muslim world not to use up its energy on internal clashes and described the sectarian clashes as very dangerous.
Erdoğan & President Gül attend ceremony for 3rd Bosphorus bridge
The groundbreaking ceremony for Istanbul’s third bridge was held in the Garipçe area on the European side, on 29th May 2013. PM Erdoğan & President Gül were among those who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. The ceremony took place on the 560th anniversary of Istanbul’s conquest by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the Ottoman Emperor in 1453.
It is also reported that the consortium is expected to complete the construction of the bridge in 36 months, at a total cost of about $4.5 billion, after the contract is signed.
The new six-lane bridge is planned to be built 1.3 km in length, to the north of the two existing ones, between the Garipçe district on the European side and the Poyrazköy district on the Asian side. The bridge will have 4 lanes each direction as well as rail system.
Turkish PM’s refers to “two drunks” in his speech triggering political tension again
During a speech he delivered on television, Turkish PM Erdoğan referred to ‘two drunks’ in defending new restrictions on alcohol use and sales promotions, starting harsh debate in political circles again.
Many from opposition speculated that PM’s remark saying “two drunks had made the present alcohol laws” was a hidden referral to some Turkish statesmen to include ATATÜRK, the great Turk who had founded Turkey with his comrades:
while addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) group in Parliament on May 28, Erdoğan’s exact words were “Given that a law made by two drunken people is respected, why should a law that is commanded by religion be rejected by your side?” Erdoğan asked while addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) group in Parliament on May 28.
Turkey’s first Kurdish-language university to be established in DIYARBAKIR
It is reported that Mesopotamia Foundation will establish Turkey’s first Kurdish-language university in Diyarbakir. Among founders of the university are human rights activists, academics, businessmen and Kurdish artist Sivan Perwer.
The university which is expected to be named AMED, the Kurdish name for Diyarbakır aims to contribut to Kurdish language and provide education in mother tongue.
Terrorism danger in countries that will dispatch arms to Syrian opposition
It is maintained by experts that countries to dispatch arms to the opposition in Syria may experience rise in terrorism.
In a meeting held on Monday EU foreign ministers discussed the arms embargo which is due be expired on May 31 for Syrian opposition.
A decision for extension of the embargo could not be made as France and Britain were not persuaded. While the member states made a commitment for not sending weapons until August 1, the EU High Representative of the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said they would review the decision before that date.
29.05.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
