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Naval forces junta planned to undermine AK Party with non-Muslim assassinations

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

An anti-democratic formation within the Naval Forces Command planned to destroy the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) by assassinating prominent non-Muslim figures in Turkey and putting the blame for the killings on the party, Taraf daily reported in its headline story yesterday.

‘Cage action plan’ put into operation in Kurtuluş, Adalar

EMINE DOLMACI — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A devious plan by a group of members of the Naval Forces Command to intimidate the country's non-Muslim population by assassinating some of their prominent figures, and in this way undermine the power of the ruling party, had been put into operation, recent incidents in İstanbul's Kurtuluş neighborhood and Adalar district suggest.

Ergenekon probe exposes surveillance of Armenian community

BÜŞRA ERDAL — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The investigation into an alleged illegal network known as Ergenekon has revealed that a civilian who was formerly employed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had collected detailed information on Turkey's ethnic Armenian population.

Hotline highlights anti-Turkish practices in EU visa issuance

E. BARIŞ ALTINTAŞ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A hotline set up for Turkish citizens to report difficulties and perceived injustices faced in the process of acquiring Schengen visas, needed to travel to European Union member countries, has within two days of its establishment already provided significant evidence of the arbitrariness of EU visa officials when it comes to issuing the visas to Turks.

‘Either Onur Öymen or Alevis should leave the CHP’

TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Alevi associations based in Europe have continued expressing their reactions to Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen’s remarks about a 1937 rebellion in the Alevi town of Tunceli depicting a massacre in which 90,000 were killed as an anti-terror campaign.

Erdoğan, Başbuğ hold weekly meeting

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ held their weekly meeting at the Prime Ministry yesterday.

DTP conditionally ready to talk

AYŞE KARABAT — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Selahattin Demirtaş, the parliamentary group leader of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), said it would be easier for the DTP to take responsibility during the democratization process if the government sent the message that “it is taking steps for the sake of the people and the elimination of violence, not only for the elimination of the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK,” which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Ergenekon defendant Balbay denies accusations

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Cumhuriyet daily’s Ankara representative, Mustafa Balbay, who is accused of “inciting the people to armed revolt against the government” as a member of Ergenekon -- a clandestine network accused of plotting to overthrow the government -- has denied all charges directed against him.

Democratic initiative beacon of hope for exiled writers

TANJU ÖZKAYA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Kurdish intellectuals and artists forced to leave Turkey in the aftermath of the country’s 1980 coup d’état are hopeful that the government’s democratization initiative will pave the way for their return.

German NGO to dissect civilian-military relations in Turkey

MUSTAFA GÜRLEK — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A German nongovernmental organization will examine civilian-military relations in Turkey at a conference to be held this weekend in İstanbul.

Arı sponsors pro-Ergenekon conference at US Congress

ALI H. ASLAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Arı Foundation, a civil society organization previously known for its liberal stance and contributions to the normalization of civilian-military relations in Turkey, sponsored a conference on Wednesday at a US Congress office building, criticizing the investigation into Ergenekon, a gang classified by prosecutors as a terrorist organization that attempted to stage a coup against the government.

EU names Belgian PM Van Rompuy as first president

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

European Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who is little known outside his own country, as the bloc's first president on Thursday to lead efforts to make it more influential on the world stage.

‘Government does not pressure judiciary through Justice Ministry’

DUYGU KOÇ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Claims that the government is pressuring the judiciary through Justice Ministry inspectors are not true, Justice Ministry statistics have shown.

US assures Turkey of assistance in capturing top PKK leaders

ERCAN YAVUZ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Turkey has received significant reassurances from the United States that it will support efforts to capture commanders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who are largely based in northern Iraq and subject to extradition warrants, a top government official has said.

Kosovo still poor and idle, despite billions in aid

FATOS BYTYCI DRENICA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Nezir Jonuzi sips black tea, stares at Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s boyhood home and wonders whether he can get a job to feed his family.

Presidency comes to aid of family struck by terrorism

İBRAHİM OKUR — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

President Abdullah Gül has extended a helping hand to the victims of a provocative attack in Hakkari’s Şemdinli district four years ago in which taxi driver Mehmet Zahir Korkmaz (29) was killed by a hand grenade thrown at a bookstore while he was walking along the sidewalk in front of it.

Sarkozy’s Middle East aspirations facing hurdles

CUMALI ÖNAL — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A rare rift between traditional allies the United States and Israel over Jewish settlements is apparently encouraging France’s ambitious leader Nicolas Sarkozy to work harder to expand France’s influence in the Middle East, but the task seems to be a daunting one because of Arab suspicions that he may not be an impartial mediator.

At least 19 killed in courthouse bombing in NW Pakistan

AP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A suicide bomber killed at least 19 people on Thursday outside a courthouse in northwestern Pakistan, the latest attack in an onslaught by extremist militants fighting back against an army offensive in the nearby Afghan border region.

Hilfiger ranks sultan’s kaftan first in fashion design contest

ORHAN FIRAT — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Famous designer Tommy Hilfiger chose a modified version of the kaftan, the traditional garb of the Ottoman sultans, as the winner of in-house design contest this week at İstanbul Technical University’s (İTÜ) department of textile technology.

Erdoğan’s Parliament speech resonates among Iraqi Kurds

HEMIN H. LIHONY — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s popularity has been boosted among Iraqi Kurds in northern Iraq after a speech he made at Parliament last week in defense of his government’s initiative to expand rights for Turkey’s Kurds.

Karzai sworn in as Afghan president, vows to fight graft

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Afghan forces should be ready to take over security in Afghanistan in five years, President Hamid Karzai said at his inauguration on Thursday, and pledged to tackle graft which has left his reputation in tatters.

Prosecutors: 24 years for Cem Garipoğlu, life for father

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Two separate indictments have been prepared against the suspects in the murder of Münevver Karabulut (18), who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Cem Garipoğlu in March of this year at his home in İstanbul’s Bahçeşehir district.

Iraqi Shiite leader holds talks in Ankara, İstanbul

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Chairman Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim was in Ankara on Thursday to hold talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as part of a several-day visit to the country.

Davutoğlu attends Karzai’s inauguration

TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu represented Turkey at a ceremony in Kabul where Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sworn in for a second term, after being returned to power despite a fraud-tainted poll in which more than a quarter of his votes were invalidated.

Turkey guest of honor at French education fair

TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Turkey is the guest of honor of an education fair that opened in Paris on Thursday. French National Education Minister Luc Chatel inaugurated the European Education Fair yesterday at the Versailles Exhibition Hall.

US needs Turkey’s voice in eastern world, says ATC chief

TODAY’S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Former US National Security Advisor and outgoing American Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman Brent Scowcroft has said that Turkey’s deep knowledge of the eastern world will be useful for its NATO ally, the United States.

US warns Iran of consequences over nuclear standoff

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

World powers could have a package of measures against Iran “within weeks,” US President Barack Obama said on Thursday, warning Tehran of consequences for its failure to respond to an offer of a nuclear deal.

Christofias: Peace deal still not in sight

TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH AP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias said on Thursday that a deal to reunify the ethnically split island of Cyprus is still not in sight despite more than a year of peace talks with the Turkish Cypriots.

‘No evidence that Deniz Feneri misused funds’

BARAN TAŞ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A prosecutor’s office has declined to investigate the directors of the Deniz Feneri charitable foundation in response to a criminal complaint by the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Palestinian leader Barghouti wants popular, diplomatic action

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Peace talks with Israel have failed and the Palestinians must launch popular and diplomatic campaigns to achieve statehood, Marwan Barghouti said in an interview from his prison cell.

Atalay: Over 5,000 people die in traffic accidents annually in Turkey

THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Turkish Interior Minister Beşir Atalay said on Friday that more than 5,000 people died in traffic accidents annually in Turkey.

Turkish, Iraqi, US officials to convene on homecoming from Makhmour

THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Turkish, Iraqi and U.S. officials will get together as part of a tripartite mechanism in Iraq in mid-December to discuss homecoming of members of the terrorist organization PKK from the Makhmour camp, Turkish interior minister said on Thursday.

Spanish opposition queries alleged ransom payment to Somali pirates

AP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Spain’s conservative opposition called on Thursday on the country’s intelligence chief to testify over whether ransom was paid for the release of a hijacked Spanish trawler by Somali pirates.

Turkey-press scan

THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 20, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Former Finnish president calls for full membership for Turkey in EU

THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A former Finnish president has urged the European Union to quit debating whether to give Turkey a full membership title when its accession talks are over.

Palestine after Abbas?

DAOUD KUTTAB — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

RAMALLAH –- A political leader’s decision not to seek re-election usually triggers fervent discussion about potential heirs.

Court ceiling collapses during Turkish plot trial

REUTERS WITH TODAY'S ZAMAN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A court hearing in Turkey into an alleged ultra-nationalist conspiracy to overthrow the government was suspended on Friday after the ceiling partially collapsed, Turkish media reported.

Russian court extends moratorium on death penalty

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Russia’s Constitutional Court extended a 13-year-old moratorium on the death penalty on Thursday, just weeks before it was due to expire.

Lt. Tümer sentenced to 9 years, 2 months in prison

TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Lt. Mehmet Tümer was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison during his trial at Elazığ 8th Corps Commandership Military Court on Friday on charges of causing the deaths of four soldiers by handing one a hand grenade whose pin he had pulled out to punish the soldier for sleeping during his night watch on Aug. 17.

Serbs bid farewell to Patriarch Pavle

AP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Hundreds of thousands of people joined a somber funeral procession Thursday for Patriarch Pavle, who led the Serbian Orthodox Church through its post-Communist revival and the bloody Balkan ethnic conflicts in the 1990s.

‘NATO must not forsake Afghanis’

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Thursday the alliance must not turn its back on Afghanistan as this would raise the threat from al-Qaeda and lead to insecurity throughout central Asia.

Berlusconi’s party stronger despite split

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative People of Freedom (PDL) coalition has bolstered its popularity despite judicial problems dogging the Italian prime minister and splits among its leadership, according to an opinion poll on Thursday.

Air gun found at Taiwan leader’s event

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Taiwan authorities arrested a man who tried to take a BB gun, a type of air gun, into a campaign event led by President Ma Ying-jeou, the president’s office said on Thursday.

Medvedev sacks his senior adviser

REUTERS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed an influential Kremlin media adviser for breaching government rules, the first such sacking of his presidency, local media reported on Thursday.

Suicide bomber kills 13 in western Afghanistan

AP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle killed 13 people, including a police officer, and wounded 30 others Friday in a busy city square in western Afghanistan.