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Year: 2010
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Chairman Berman Announces Intention to Mark Up Armenian Genocide Resolution on March 4
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US insistent on missile system in Turkey, not more Afghan troops
Nato Meeting Gates said, we have discussed the possibility of erecting two radars in Turkey.United States (U.S.) Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Saturday his meeting with the Chief of Turkish General Staff, General Ilker Basbug, was almost completely devoted to the issues of Afghanistan and PKK.Speaking to a group of Turkish and U.S. journalists in Ankara, Secretary Gates said that they had “not requested any new troops from Turkey.”
We are pleased with the partnership between Turkey and the U.S. in Afghanistan, Gates said.
We “discussed, with General Basbug, Turkey’s role in the missile defense system and relations between our armies”, Gates noted.
“PKK issue”We carry a will to further develop cooperation with Turkey against the terrorist organization PKK as was set forth by former U.S. President George W. Bush back in 2007, Gates stressed.
We are searching for new opportunities that Turkey could utilize against the threat emanating from terrorist organization PKK, Gates said.
The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, had arrived in Ankara to hold talks on this (PKK) issue, Gates emphasized.
Cooperation between Turkey and the U.S., against PKK, is getting more intense, Gates said.
In regard to his talks at the Turkish General Staff, Secretary Gates said that “as the General noted, the final solution does not involve killing all”.
While speaking with the leader of the regional administration in north of Iraq, Massoud Barzani, I have stressed the importance of placing pressure on PKK to end violence, Gates said.
“Missile defense system”
The dialogue on what Turkey could do within NATO to counter the proliferation of ballistic missiles via a missile defense system continues. We have discussed the possibility of erecting two radars in Turkey, Gates said.
Reminded by a journalist about comments made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that there were actually countries in the region that possessed nuclear weapons, aside from Iran, like Israel, Secretary Gates argued, that Iran was “a country that openly announced a will to destroy another country” and violated the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
We are “not against” Iran’s peaceful nuclear works. However, Iran continues efforts for uranium enrichment, Gates noted.
I have not seen a progress with Iran on this matter. In order to be a progress, the Iranians must give up their enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Secretary Gates said.
Asked if Turkey is making sufficient efforts in regard to the issue of Iran, Gates said that Turkey was valuable as they could talk to the Iranians, a mission highly difficult for the U.S.
There could be opportunities (from Turkey’s dialogue with Iran). We need to have a common understanding on concerns expressed, under the roof of the United Nations, pertaining to programs inititated by Iran, Gates stressed.
I have observed such an understanding in Turkey. We will continue on this path, Gates underlined.
Asked about what he thinks on comments made that Turkey has shifted its axis, Secretary Gates said that Turkey was in a unique position geographically and that their efforts in all fields must be received positively.
We are extremely pleased with Turkey’s contributions in Afghanistan. We have received a promise from “allies and partners” for the deployment of 10,000 additional personnel. We pay high importance to personnel that can train individuals (Afghans) in the areas of military and security, Gates said.
Iran says it enriches uranium for civilian applications and that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has a right to the technology already in the hands of many others.
Israel, most experts estimate that it has at least between 100 and 200 nuclear warheads, often threatens Iran with an attack.
World Bulletin -
Turkey warns US envoy over comments on domestic politics
06 February 2010US Ambassador Spokesman of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said U.S. Ambassador in Ankara should have refrained from comments on Turkish domestic politics.
Spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Saturday the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, James Jeffrey, should have refrained from comments on Turkish domestic politics.The MFA spokesperson’s remarks came after an interview that Jeffrey gave to a Turkish newspaper recently.
Answering a question, the MFA spokesman said that Ambassador Jeffrey uttered certain remarks targeting Turkey’s internal policies while giving an interview to a Turkish newspaper recently.
Based on diplomatic conventions, ambassadors should not make comments regarding internal politics of the countries in which they serve, the MFA spokesman stressed.
Ambassador Jeffrey should approach this matter with greater sensitivity. Mr. Jeffrey should have refrained from making comments and remarks on Turkey’s internal political life, the MFA spokesman underlined.
World Bulletin
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EDL thugs plan to stoke up racism in Ulster
The anti-Islam English Defence League, which caused violence in Stoke-on-Trent city centre last month, is planning to head to Northern Ireland for the traditional 12 July parades to “kick some Fenian ass”.
At the height of the EDL rally in Stoke on 23 January over 2,000 protesters, many the worse for drink, were on the streets, a mixture of football hooligans, oddballs and fascists, including several British National Party activists. Violent clashes, as the thugs tried to break through police lines to attack a mosque, resulted in nearly 20 arrests and injuries to six officers.
Similar trouble was caused at another EDL event in Harrow, northwest London, last year when supporters again tried to attack a mosque, and in Birmingham where 600 rioted.
Searchlight, working with the Sunday World in Northern Ireland, has now discovered plans by the EDL to head to Belfast for the biggest event on the Orange Order’s calendar, where it only takes a small spark to ignite violence. Our researchers who monitor the websites and forums that the EDL uses to communicate with supporters uncovered an invitation from someone claiming to be part of the Ulster Defence League to “all EDL, SDL [Scottish Defence League], WDL [Welsh Defence League] members and supporters to Belfast for the loyalist 12th of July celebrations”.
“Flights are cheap and there is plenty of time for booking. Thousands of men from Scotland and Liverpool and London come every year. Please show your colours and be with us on this glorious day.”
Their safety would be guaranteed. “Please take heed if you are coming over in your divisions that Belfast on the 12th of July is very dangerous and trouble is expected at flashpoints by Irish Republicans, though do not let them put you off coming over. You will be made most welcome and your protection is Garanteed [sic].”
A further message from the same person warned anyone coming over only to become violent if republicans start trouble.
“For all those def going there will be a list of all the areas to avoid. As much as it’s our city Belfast is completely separated from Republicans and loyalists, they fly Irish Tricolours and us Union Jacks/Ulster flags, so you will know where to stay, you will be safe!
“There is no trouble on the day so troublemakers be aware you could be severely dealt with by loyalists for causing trouble. The only trouble that may happen is by republicans. If that happens by all means join in and help us loyalists.
“Remember if a petrol bomb comes your way … through the F***er back and kick some Fenion [sic] ass.”
Matthew Collins from Searchlight said the EDL was the last thing Northern Ireland needed on 12 July. “The EDL are a bunch of racist football hooligans who somehow feel they have something to offer the loyalist and unionist community,” he said. “But all they have to offer is excessive drinking, excessive racism and excessive violence.
“They are considered a serious threat to public order. When 1,500 thugs who can’t hold their drink descend on a town you know what the outcome is going to be.
“They love fighting with the police and Muslims and have caused mayhem in Birmingham and London before they went mad in Stoke last week. They will cause trouble in
Belfast without a doubt.”
The EDL website states: “We have organised a series of peaceful protests across the country. Unfortunately, some of these have been disrupted by self-proclaimed yet clearly misguided anti-fascists and gangs of Muslim youth whipped up by the extremist preachers we oppose.
“These gangs have come armed and attacked our members, the police officers trying to protect us, and even random members of the public.”
Who is actually responsible for the violence is likely to be revealed in a number of court cases arising from arrests at the EDL’s various rallies around Britain. In the first last month, four EDL activists pleaded guilty to affray at a march against Muslim extremism in Luton on 24 May, at which groups of yobs, many draped in the flag of St George, went on the rampage, fighting battles with the 200 police who were drafted in from across three forces. They were jailed for up to 28 weeks.
Hope Not Hate
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EU Report Says That Racism On the Rise in Germany
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
By Leyla SURMELI (JTW)
The European Union (EU) report says that racism is on the rise in Germany. The EU report on racism in Europe severely critised Germany. The criticism for Germany comes on several fronts, including violent crimes and discrimination against foreigners in the job and housing markets.Racism has recently become a hot issue in Germany after an apparently xenophobic attack on eight Indians (more…) in the eastern German town of M+-geln. The Germany Turks, biggest minorty group in the country, have also confronted serious racist attacks everyday.
The EU report says that violent racism in Germany appears to be on the increase. According to the report the incidents of racist violence and crime in Germany increased by 14 percent between 2005 and 2006, going up from 15,914 incidents in 2005 to 18,142 in 2006.
The “Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU” also shows that crime with an extremist right-wing motive also in increase, going up from 15,361 incidents in 2005 to 17,597 incidents in 2006, a 14.6 percent increase.
The incidence of anti-Semitic crime in Germany however remained fairly constant, with 1,662 incidents in 2006 compared to 1,682 in 2005.
The “Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU” was published Tuesday by the Vienna-based European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) — an agency which was created on Mar. 1, 2007 to replace the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.
Turkish Weekly
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Turkish community warns of continued racism in Germany
Sunday, 1 June 2008
(IRNA) – Germany’s Turkish community warned of continued racism in the country, while marking the 15th anniversary of an anti-foreigner arson attack in the western city of Solingen which killed five Turkish women and girls, the press reported Thursday.There is still a high degree of xenophobia in Germany society which has to be combated through better education, stressed the Turkish community of Germany (TGD) and the Foundation of Turkish Studies (ZfT) in a statement.
“Aggressive behaviour and prejudices are already being taught at the age of a child. Therefore, one must act pedagogically at an early stage,” ZfT director,Faruk Sen was quoted saying.
There are 7.5 million foreigners living in Germany of which 2.5 million are Turks.
A recent confidential government report revealed widespread xenophobia among millions of teenagers in Germany.
Almost every German youth said there are too many foreigners living in Germany.
Nearly every 9th grader has Islamophobic tendencies while every 13 teenager admits to having committed a right-wing motivated criminal act.
Germany has been the scene of a series of vicious neo-Nazi attacks in recent months, especially against foreigners.
German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has repeatedly warned of a growing far-right problem in his country, branding it a “steadily growing danger.”
Schaeuble had voiced concern that the number of far-right crimes between 2005 and 2006 rose from 15,000 to 18,000 offenses, indicating a 9.3 percent increase.
Meanwhile, the number of anti-foreigner attacks hovered at 511 in 2006, showing a 37 percent rise from the previous year.
Political observers link the dramatic rise in the number of far-right crimes to the recent success of neo-Nazi parties in key regional elections in several east German states.
Young neo-Nazis feel also more and more emboldened to commit hate crimes, knowing that police won’t charge them with an offense.
Most of the suspects implicated in far-right crimes are juveniles.
Hate crime experts and sociologists have repeatedly stressed that Germany’s political leadership lacked a clear and effective strategy to fight neo-Nazi and racist crimes.
1 June 2008
Turkish Weekly