The face of
fashion turns
to the East
ALLEGATIONS
‘CAPTURED TERRORIST
LEADERS LET GO UNDER
MILITARY’S ORDERS’
KADR UYSALOLU, OSLO
A translator who worked for the Gen-
eral Staff in the predominantly Kurd-
ish Southeast for many years and briey
as a member of a deadly operations squad
under the Special Forces has claimed that
the gendarmerie captured some of the most
important leaders of the terrorist Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK) at one point but
released them upon orders from above.
Yldrm Beler, a long-time translator
for the military, claims that some of the top
commanders in the PKK were captured
in northern Iraq by a squad of the Special
Forces Command. Beler, a Kirkuk Turk-
men who came to Turkey in 1995, recount-
ed the details of the events of that period to
Today's Zaman. Beler, who worked as
a General Staff translator for 14 years,
now lives in Norway, near Oslo, where
he has political refugee status. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
DIPLOMACY
ASSAD: ISRAEL
DOESN'T WANT TURKEY
BECAUSE IT’S FAIR
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has
insisted that Turkey should remain a
mediator if collapsed peace talks with Israel
ever restart and said Israel does not want
Turkish mediation because Ankara is an
impartial broker. “Israel opposes Turkey's
objective stance. Turkey is objective, and Is-
rael does not want this,” Assad was quoted
as saying by the Anatolia news agency at a
joint press conference with visiting Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan in Damas-
cus late on Wednesday. The Syrian leader
also criticized Israel for not being serious
about wanting peace. “We discussed today
ways to bring the peace process out of the
deadlock it has reached ... because of the ab-
sence of a serious Israeli partner who aims
to achieve peace,” Assad said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 04
ECONOMY
BUSINESSMEN
SEE 2010 AS A YEAR OF
CAUTIOUS RECOVERY
As the global economy is showing
signs of recovery from the worst eco-
nomic crisis since the Great Depression,
indications abound that 2010 will be a year
when the recovery kicks in, especially in
Turkey, where signs that a recovery is pick-
ing up pace revealed themselves towards
the end of 2009. The crisis hit fundamen-
tal economic indicators like production,
exports, investments and unemployment,
leading to massive stimulus packages
taken by nations looking to protect them-
selves from economic freefall. CONTINUED ON PAGE 07
09 Cüneyt Gökçer, one of Turkey's
most distinguished and prolific
stage actors, passes away at 89
Yo u r Wa y o f U n d e r s t a n d  n g T u r k e y
China sentences 5 more to death for Xinjiang riot page10
Politician Hatip Dicle Cizre Mayor Aydn Budak
DTP Diyarbakr head Frat Anl HD's Muharrem Erbey
Police detained dozens of former members of banned pro-Kurdish DTP, including several mayors, in the Southeast.
Anti-PKK operations lead to
detention of Kurdish mayors
More than 30 people, eight of them mayors, have
been detained as a result of simultaneous opera-
tions in several provinces of Turkey against the Kurd-
ish Communities Union, Turkey Council (KCK/TM), an
organization that allegedly functions as the urban arm
of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The Diyarbakr Chief Prosecutor's Ofce started op-
erations early yesterday in 11 provinces: Ankara, stanbul,
zmir, Diyarbakr, Siirt, Hakkari, Tunceli, Batman,
anlurfa, rnak and Van. So far 33 people have been de-
tained in the fth continuing operation against the group.
13
AA
PHOTOS
Batman Mayor Necdet Atalay Kzltepe Mayor Ferhan Türk
Çnar Mayor Ahmet Cengiz Ex-Mayor Hüseyin Kalkan
Ofcials said the detainees are mostly KCK administra-
tors. Among the detainees are Batman Mayor Necdet Ata-
lay, Siirt Mayor Selim Sadak, rnak's Cizre town Mayor
Aydn Budak, Diyarbakr's Kayapnar Mayor Zülküf Kara-
tekin, Sur Mayor Abdullah Demirba, Çnar Mayor Ahmet
Cengiz, Viranehir Mayor Leyla Güven, Kzltepe Mayor
Ferhan Türk, former Dicle Mayor Abdullah Akengin,
Diyarbakr Deputy Mayor Ali imek, now defunct Demo-
cratic Society Party's (DTP) Provincial Chairman Frat Anl
and Human Rights Association (HD) Vice President
and Diyarbakr branch head Muharrem Erbey. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Featuring news and articles from
Taraf reporter Baransu released by
the court despite arrest request by
17
prosecutor over ‘Cage Plot’ report
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 WWW.TODAYSZAMAN.COM TL 1.50
TSK statement
on Arnç plot
far from
persuasve,
pundts argue
A General Staff statement about military officers
accused of plotting to assassinate Deputy PM Arnç
has little chance of convincing the public. The state-
ment claimed that the officers had been assigned to
gather information about a suspected mole
A statement by the General Staff mation to third parties. The ofcer un-
addressing an apparent planned der surveillance resides in an area close
assassination against Deputy to Arnç's house, said the statement.
Prime Minister Bülent Arnç has failed Maj. brahim G. and Col. Erkan
to win over many journalists and poli-
ticians, who argued that the content of
Ylmaz B., both assigned to the General
Staff, were detained on Saturday night
the statement was far from satisfying
people's questions about the plot.
on suspicion of plotting to assassinate
the deputy prime minister. A piece of
“The General Staff waited too long to
make a statement. Wednesday's statement
paper one of the ofcers tried to swallow
contained the home address of Arnç.
was not satisfactory. The Special Forces The General Staff chose to defend
Command may investigate claims over the the armed forces and its members against
leaking of information from the Turkish harsh criticism over the plot and accused
Armed Forces [TSK]. But why did the mili- the press of reporting on the plan instead
tary ofcer try to swallow the piece of paper of responding to people's questions.
which contained Arnç's address when he “Protecting the condentiality of an
saw police ofcers? There is no explana- ongoing judicial process is a principle
tion of this in the statement,” noted Faik of law. However, recent incidents have
Tarmcolu, a retired military judge. shown that this principle has lost its
In a statement posted on its Web validity to a considerable extent in our
site, the General Staff on Wednesday country. Details of this incident concern-
claimed that the two Special Forces ing the two ofcers started to appear in
members accused of planning to assas- the media on Dec. 21. There is a differ-
sinate Arnç had been assigned to gather ence between reporting the incident and
information about a member of the mili- reporting it with details and commen-
tary who was accused of leaking infor- tary,” read the statement. CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
GENERAL STAFF LEAVES MANY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED PAGE 05
Arnç: Statement by the
General Staff mplct
admsson of plot
Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arnç spoke to re-
porters about a statement released by the Gen-
eral Staff on Wednesday, saying it was an implicit ad-
mission of an assassination plot in criminal law.
The General Staff statement claimed that two Special
Forces Command ofcers detained on suspicion of plotting
to assassinate the deputy prime minister were in Arnç's
neighborhood to gather intelligence about a military of-
cer who was accused of leaking military information. “I
acknowledge that the ofcers of the General Staff were
there [in the neighborhood] for intelligence. But they
had another purpose [other than following a military
ofcer who had leaked information]. CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Bülent Arnç
‘ 02 TODAY’S ZAMAN

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

‘ Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
‘ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009

WORDS OF WISDOM
PRESS REVIEW

colu m ns
When Israel says it wants negotiations I think I’ve shown this year that I can make The most important things Makhmour game
without conditions, it means it wants hard decisions, even when they’re not popular, are the hardest to say, because AHMET TAGETREN BUGÜN
negotiations with no foundation. and that I take a long view on these problems. words diminish them. I am curious as to whether the Dem-
ocratic Society Party (DTP) mem-
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad US President Barack Obama Stephen King bers who went to the Makhmour
camp went in order to find out what
the demands of those in the camp
were, and to then relay these de-
mands back to Turkey, or whether they went and
oversaw the creation of new demands to then insist
upon in Turkey. This whole business is far removed
CROSS READER from any sense of sincerity. The DTP mentality these
days, even amongst those who approach the whole
“Kurdish problem” with a very optimistic perspec-
FATMA DL ZIBAK
f.zibak@todayszaman.com
pr ess rou n du p tive, is experiencing some very serious problems

AA, HAKAN AHN

when it comes to trust. The problem is still being
pushed into the background, even by people like
Ahmet Türk, who at least from the outside appear to
be moderate and reasonable. I don’t know whether
Yet another Türk enjoys as much esteem among the ranks of the
DTP as he does among the ranks of the democratic
‘unconvncng’ intellectuals of Turkey, but if he does, then I say it

PHOTO
would be the best for everyone if he called on people

statement who are now putting on shows of toughness that

outdo even Öcalan to be more prudent.
Following its days-long silence regarding an assassination
plot to kill Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arnç allegedly
devised by military officers, the General Staff broke its si- Mobility within the
lence on Wednesday and responded to criticism. Releas-
ing a statement on its Web site, the General Staff accused
ranks of the military
the press of reporting on the plan instead of responding to AL BAYRAMOLU YEN AFAK
people’s questions. “Protecting the confidentiality of an on- It appears that in each of the suicides
going judicial process is a principle of law. However, recent by military officers, the person who
incidents have shown that this principle has lost its valid- committed suicide was somehow
ity to a considerable extent in our country. Details of this connected to political and illegal in-
incident concerning two officers started to appear in the cidents that the military was mixed
media on Dec. 21. There is a difference between reporting up in, or at least connected to orga-
on the incident and reporting on it with details and com- nizations and tension within the military. This is an
mentary,” read the statement. The statement claimed that important shared factor in these suicides. Another
the two officers who were caught around Arnç’s house on important factor is that most of those who have com-
Saturday had been assigned by the General Staff to gather mitted suicide have been colonels serving in the naval
information about a member of the military who was ac- forces. The military’s naval forces are branch in which
cused of leaking military information to third parties. The coup plans have been formed and carried out, as the
General Staff’s statement failed to clear up questions re- recently exposed “Kafes” (Cage) plan showed. And
garding the plot and was found “unconvincing” by many. while it is not easy -- and perhaps not very humane
Disappointed by the General Staff’s explanation about -- to lecture on these suicides, it is also quite clear that
the assassination plot against Arnç, Star’s Ergun Babahan this whole thing is akin to a boiling pot and that the
notes that the ball is in the court of the Interior Ministry from recent developments are somehow politically impor-
now on as it has to investigate whether a military officer lives tant. There is no doubt that these recent events will
in the same neighborhood as Arnç and to whom an address soon be illuminated to some extent and that at the
found in the military officers’ car belongs. About the General very least, the true dimensions of the debates and
Staff’s call to everyone inviting them to respect the judiciary, A dog waits by the body of her puppy, killed in pressures being experienced in the ranks of the mili-
Babahan says the General Staff, interestingly enough, does tary will be exposed for all to see. These suicides indi-
not dwell on how an investigation into a military plot to de- an accident on a highway in Edirne, attracting cate a certain level of complacence within the military.
stroy the government was concluded and that it does not say
how the records in the computers in the General Staff were
the attention of passing motorists.
deleted many times. “It is obvious that there is a junta with- Censoring Öcalan
in the military. A military that sees itself as the real owner of akam: “mam-hatip school to Moscow,” the daily triarch drew the ire of some circles in Turkey when he said NAZLI ILICAK SABAH
the country and fails to read the circumstances of the new said in the headline of its main story yesterday, which re- he sometimes felt “crucified” in Turkey, in an interview Abdullah Öcalan offered his law-
world and Turkey’s role in this new world order. As a result ported that Russia asked Turkey for help in meeting the on an American television show, “60 Minutes.” “Most of yers an analysis of a recent attack on
of this, it constantly seeks a chaotic environment that will needs of its increasing Muslim population, which constitutes our men of religion are above the age of 70. What will seven soldiers in Tokat’s Readiye
lay the groundwork for a military coup,” explains Babahan. one-fifth of the total, and decided to offer schools to train happen if we cannot train new men of religion? Our sem- district. But for whatever reason, this
Considering the fact that the General Staff’s statement, Muslim men of religion. The Russian government, which is inary was open during the time of the Ottoman Empire. It piece of analysis was subject to cen-
which came on Wednesday, will not have a negative ef- concerned that Muslim youth will be influenced by radical was unjustly closed in 1971. I think the deep state does sorship. According to the Taraf daily,
fect on the course of the investigation into the assassina- Muslim movements, contacted Turkey. A Russian delega- not want it to be opened. The government wants it to be Öcalan said: “I did not understand what happened
tion plan against Arnç, Radikal’s Akif Beki wonders why tion visiting Ankara last month examined the imam-hatip opened, and Education Minister Nimet Çubukçu says in Readiye. Tokat would have never occurred to
the General Staff waited four days to make a statement, schools in Turkey and decided to bring this model to Russia. there is no obstacle blocking its opening. I think the deep me.” While these words were removed from his
paving the way for skepticism. “Why did you wait four In line with an agreement between the two countries, 100 state is preventing the opening of the Greek Orthodox statement, they somehow made their way into Taraf.
days to make a statement? Why did you turn a blind eye Russian students will receive religious education in Turkey in seminary,” said the patriarch. I wonder why it was that some factions did not want
to the debates that continued for days about an assassina- 2010. Turkish men of religion will be sent to Russia and then it known that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
tion plot against a deputy prime minister and wiretapping imam-hatip schools will be opened in the country. sabah: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he attack that ended in the deaths of seven soldiers
allegations? Your silence led to widespread skepticism in would like to see Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip took place outside Öcalan’s knowledge. It can be
the media. Such news would cause a great uproar in any milliyet: “Our oxygen is being cut off,” the dai- Erdoan as a mediator in the peace talks with Israel instead viewed as normal that none of Öcalan’s statements
part of the world. However, without being late, you could ly said in the headline of its lead story yesterday, quoting of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. “Turkey’s role in the are allowed to be leaked outside of his prison, but
have informed the public that those two military officers remarks from Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, peace talks was an objective one. I would like to see my what meaning can we attribute to the removal of the
were there on official business. Or you could have at least who spoke to the daily in an exclusive interview. The pa- brother Erdoan as mediator,” Assad said. part of the text of his recent statement that touches
given Arnç a call to try to ease his concerns. Would not all on the deaths of the seven soldiers in Readiye?
this have changed the perception of the public?” asks Beki. Who removed this part of the text and why?

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CMYK
 NATIONAL
Suspected taxi
robbers arrested
in stanbul
Two people suspected of stealing TL 860 and
four mobile phones from four cab drivers in the
last 10 days were caught during their latest attempt
yesterday. Ferit G. (29) and Uladan Y. (22) were
caught yesterday by police teams in a taxi. The police
teams had sketches drawn of the two suspects ac-
cording to descriptions from the four taxi drivers who
had been robbed at knifepoint. The thieves ordered
the cab drivers to go to stanbul’s Esenyurt district
and to hand over their cell phones and money. After
being questioned at the Esenyurt police station, the
suspects were sent to the Büyükçekmece courthouse
and are currently in jail. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
One fisherman dead,
another still missing
after lake accident
Search-and-rescue teams yesterday found
the body of one of two people who disap-
peared while fishing in stanbul’s Küçükçekmece
Lake. Two fishermen reportedly sent out a distress
signal on Wednesday night but soon disappeared.
The Anatolia news agency reported that after re-
ceiving the distress signal, police teams began to
search for the fishermen. Teams from the Disaster
and Emergency Management Directorate and the
coast guard later joined the search of the lake.
Emergency management teams participat-
ing in the search-and-rescue operation found
the body of Nejat Yolda, 26, on Thursday. The
search-and-rescue teams are continuing their
search for Bülent imek, the other fisherman.
Coast guard helicopters have joined in the search
for the fisherman. stanbul Today’s Zaman
Man who raped,
murdered 9-year-old
girl detained
A man who allegedly raped and killed a
9-year-old girl living in his neighborhood
in Mersin was detained on Thursday. Ali S., 25, a
resident of the Cumhuriyet neighborhood in Mez-
itli, Mersin province, allegedly raped Hatice Torcu on
Wednesday after taking her to his house when his
wife was not home and thereafter killed her by slit-
ting her throat. He later called his cousin to the house
who, upon seeing the body of the girl, called the po-
lice, which came and detained Ali S. Her body was
taken to the Mersin State Hospital for an autopsy. On
Thursday, Torcu’s body was returned to her relatives
for burial. Ofcials said an investigation opened into
the incident continues. Hasan Küçük Mersin
3 detained for
allegedly spying
for Greece
Three Turkish citizens have been detained
in a joint operation by the zmir Police De-
partment’s counterterrorism and intelligence units
for spying for a foreign country. One of the sus-
pects, A.H. (40), working as a baker in Mula’s
Bodrum district, was caught in Bodrum, and his
house was raided. A.H. was later taken to zmir
for questioning. The suspects were allegedly spy-
ing for Greece. H. Çilingir/T.Gürbulak zmir
Farmers encouraged to protect wolves against wild boars
While it has almost become a tradition
to protects animals and people from
wolves by killing these animals, Beyehir Ag-
ricultural Chamber President Dursun Ersözlü
has said residents should protect the wolves
even if they attack their animals as they are
necessary to fight against the increasing num-
ber of wild boars surrounding Beyehir Lake.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency,
Ersözlü said the state should take measures
against wild boars, whose population has in-
creased in the Beyehir Lake basin, where ce-
reals, legumes, sugar beets and garden plants
F R I D A Y, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9
Akdamar church to open to
worshippers in September 2010
CHAN
PHOTO
Many Syrians came to Turkey through
the Öncüpnar border gate in Kilis for
the Eid al-Fitr holiday on Sept. 21.
Syrian tourists converge
on Turkey after visa
requirement eliminated
YASN KILIÇ ÝSTANBUL
Syrian tourism to Turkey has skyrocketed by 97
percent over the past two months, following an
agreement between the two countries to ease
visa requirements in mutual visits. A total of 36,000 tour-
ists arrived in Turkey from Syria in September, jumping to
66,000 in October and 65,000 in November.
In October and November of 2008, 66,568 Syrian tour-
ists entered Turkey, but the figures totaled 131,663 in the same
period of this year. Syria is 15th on the list of countries from
which most tourists visit Turkey, but tourism agencies claim
Syria may enter the top 10 if the upward trend continues.
In October of this year, Foreign Minister Ahmet
Many Syrian citizens came to Turkey through the Öncüpnar border gate in Kilis on Eid al-Fitr, Sept. 21, 2009.
grow. The boars cause damage to farms dur-
ing harvest season and create dangers for
drivers during the winter season because they
cross the road in large numbers.
Noting that the best way to fight against the
wild boars is to let wolves into the area to feed
on them, Ersözlü said he will ask the Beyehir
Environmental Protection and National Parks
Department to undertake this project as a way
to reduce the number of wild boars.
Noting that administrators have previ-
ously released wolves to fight against wild
boars, Ersözlü said residents have been told to
The governor of Turkey’s eastern
province of Van, Münir Karalolu, has
announced that the 10th century Armenian
church located on Akdamar Island in Lake
Van will be opened as a functioning church
and museum by next September, adding
that he invites every Armenian Turk to the
church when it opens for worship.
The governor noted that his office had
obtained the necessary permission from
the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the
Anatolia news agency reported.
Known in English as the Cathedral
Church of the Holy Cross, the church
was in ruins and on the verge of collapse.
However, a restoration project launched
in 2005 has largely preserved the histori-
Davutolu and his Syrian counterpart, Walid al-Moallem,
signed a deal to remove visa requirements at the border
between the two countries. Ministers from both sides
together raised a symbolic barrier on the Turkish-Syrian
border, marking the end of visa requirements.
According to data from the Culture and Tourism Min-
istry, the number of tourists coming to Turkey in October
and November has increased by 8 percent compared to the
same period last year, reaching 4,200,000. The number of
foreign tourists visiting Turkey in the past 11 months has
increased by 2.4 percent compared to the same period last
year, reaching 25,245,000. Germany with 4 ,292,000 tourists,
Russia with 2,640,000 tourists and Britain with 2,388,000
tourists are the countries which visit Turkey the most.
not kill the wolves when they see them unless
they pose an immediate danger to human life.
“When wolves are hungry, they may attack
animals belonging to our residents. However,
they are a necessary tool to reduce the num-
ber of wild boars,” Ersözlü said.
Pointing out the danger they pose to
people, Ersözlü said hungry wild boars of-
ten come to fields during harvest season
and eat farmers’ produce. “This has reduced
productivity. They are also a hazard to driv-
ers because they cross the road in large
numbers during the winter,” Ersözlü said.
TODAY’S ZAMAN 03
STANBUL 17° KONYA 15°
ANKARA 13° ÇANAKKALE 18°
ZMR 17° DYARBAKIR 15°
ANTALYA 19° SAMSUN 17°
ADANA 21° BURSA 18°
ERZURUM 6° GAZANTEP 16°
EDRNE 15° ESKEHR 14°
TRABZON 14° MALATYA 13°
KAYSER 15° KOCAEL 18°
BÜLENT
KENE
b.kenes@todayszaman.com
cal identity of the church. Already a hot
spot for local and foreign tourists, the Ak-
damar church is expected to attract more
attention when it reopens for worship.
Is the EU a panacea
The Akdamar church opened as a
museum when restoration work was
for all lls?
Together with the administrators of
completed in 2007. Karalolu stated that
several newspapers, I met with Tur-
the Akdamar church will be officially
key’s chief European Union nego-
opened for worship with a prayer service
tiator, State Minister Egemen Ba,
and celebration on Sept. 12, 2010.
and a number of diplomats and bu-
Karalolu stated that they hope to see 1
reaucrats also involved in EU nego-
million tourists from Iran and Syria visit the
tiations over breakfast on Wednes-
region now that travel between those coun-
day morning at the historic Esma
tries and Turkey has been made considerably
easier. He also noted that the opening of the
Sultan Yals on the Bosporus. Most
recently, a similar meeting had con-
closed border gate with Armenia will benefit
Van economically. stanbul Today’s Zaman with
vened on July 7, when we had the
opportunity to hear from Ba, who
had been assigned to his position on
Jan. 8, about his EU vision and ask
him some questions. Of course our
main focus that day was what the
government was going to do with
regard to the stalled EU reform pro-
cess, which began in 2005. We could
have repeated those same questions
on this ne Wednesday morning,
but for some reason, nobody wanted
to broach the topic; at this point, the
answers are all so rehearsed.
The youngest member of the
Cabinet, Ba is a rather dynamic,
self-condent minister who injects
energy into his surroundings and ar-
ticulates his thoughts well. I’m sure
that these characteristics are ben-
ecial during negotiations and have
the effect of making up for any short-
comings he has in terms of diploma-
cy. Despite dozens of negative mes-
sages coming from EU capitals and
dozens of roadblocks set up against
opening new chapters (involving
Cyprus, Greece and France), Ba
dove into negotiations with both feet
and expended an incredible amount
of energy -- and perhaps the reason
for this lies in his unfailing belief in
Turkey’s EU bid. We all know that
TODAY’S ZAMAN, KÜRAT BAYHAN
every member of the government,
including the prime minister, carries
a positive opinion with regard to the
EU bid, but I honestly haven’t come
across anyone who is as enthusiastic
and yearns for it as much as Ba.
Meeting with newspaper admin-
istrators with a great zest provided
by the recent success in Brussels in
opening one of the hardest chap-
ters, the one on the environment,
in a sense Ba evaluated 2009 and
PHOTO
performed a self-assessment in front
of the media. He spoke about what
the government had done and had
not been able to do during the year,
emphasizing how the current Con-
stitution has kept the modern era in
shackles and needs to be changed
immediately. Ba touched upon
the interruptions in the EU reform
process that occurred in 2007 and
2008 due to problems that arose
during the presidential election and
the closure case opened against
the ruling Justice and Develop-
ment Party (AK Party) following
the general elections, saying that
developments in 2009 had inspired
hope and that most of these devel-
Ersözlü also said more hunter clubs are opments were included in the EU’s
needed that can organize hunting parties. Turkey progress report.
He added that the district is ready to provide Ba said that with the passage
the necessary facilities and that it has asked of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU had be-
for assistance from the government to help come more democratic, transparent
organize these hunts. “We want to start a and effective and more prepared for
project to increase the number of wolves in the opportunities and threats faced
the area. The number of wolves in nature in our century. He spent a great
has decreased due to hunting activity, even- deal of time explaining how Tur-
tually leading to an increase in the number key’s membership process would be
of pigs in the area. This is the best time to positively affected by the institution-
fight against wild boars as it is not harvest alization of the EU’s central policies
season,” Ersözlü noted. stanbul Today’s Zaman within this framework. He repeated
his hope that when the EU’s internal
order was strengthened to the level
of increased functionality and more
active contribution to problem solv-
ing, a more fertile ground would be
created for Turkey’s integration.
Underlining that their own re-
search had shown that around 60
percent of the Turkish public sup-
port the EU bid, while 34 percent
oppose it, Ba said they had begun
to implement an effective commu-
nication strategy directed at both
segments in Turkey who look at
the EU with suspicion and circles in
Europe who oppose Turkish mem-
bership. According to the Euroba-
rometer study, it can be plainly seen
by the rate of domestic support for
EU membership, which has fallen
as low as 46 percent, that the ben-
ets union membership would bring
have not been explained fully during
the EU bid. Data from the Transat-
lantic Trends survey completed by
the German Marshall Fund of the
United States also make it very clear
that such a communication strategy
is necessary. According to the results
of this survey, while 60 percent of
Turks support EU membership, only
40 percent believe it will actually
happen. While 40 percent of Euro-
peans support Turkish membership,
a full 60 percent believe that Turkey
will become a member, despite their
own opposition. This paradoxical
situation indicates a shared problem
of trust and shows how important a
communication strategy is, both do-
mestically and in Europe.
Frankly, I don’t have any doubt
about the desire and will to com-
plete the necessary EU reforms on
the part of the government, which
has already taken radical steps or
intended them with the Kurdish
initiative, the Alevi initiative and
the rapprochement with Armenia.
But it also doesn’t seem like nd-
ing the necessary energy and time
to execute the deep-rooted reforms
necessitated by the EU accession
process, or rather to implement
them, given the AK Party’s isolation
in Parliament, the negative posi-
tion assumed by the high judiciary,
the stiff, uncompromising attitude
of the opposition parties and the
implication of the Turkish Armed
Forces’ (TSK) name in a new con-
spiracy, assassination or other shady
event every day. But it also doesn’t
look like there’s an alternative solu-
tion to the EU on the horizon.
Ba’s words during the meet-
ing also expressed well why EU
membership, or the things to be ac-
complished during the membership
bid, are a panacea to all of Turkey’s
ailments. In my opinion, there’s no
alternative to clinging to the rope of
the EU given Turkey’s current state
of extreme polarization, with distrust
on the rise between segments of so-
ciety and institutions; the nation is
being dragged toward a dead-end.
Using Ba’s words, those who fear
coups, those who fear Shariah, those
who fear extreme liberalism or its
opposite, extreme state intervention
and control -- all of these people
should hang onto the EU with all
their might. The EU may not be a
panacea for all ills, but there’s no
other medicine around.
 04 TODAY’S ZAMAN
KKTC: Talat’s absence at Ankara talks a joint decision
The leadership of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (KKTC) and the Turkish
Foreign Ministry have agreed that a joint meet-
ing of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot admin-
istrations would be more productive with the
KKTC prime minister’s participation alone, a
spokesperson for KKTC presidency has stated.
Remarks by KKTC President Mehmet Ali Ta-
lat’s spokesperson Hasan Erçakca on Wednesday
apparently aimed to refute news reports which said
that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan
had extended invitations to both the president and
the prime minister of the KKTC for a joint meeting
in Ankara on Thursday to discuss the latest course of
affairs regarding the Cyprus issue but that only the
KKTC prime minister had accepted the invitation.
KKTC Prime Minister Dervi Erolu himself
told reporters on Wednesday that both he and
Assad: Israel doesn’t want
Turkey because t’s far
contnued from page 1
“We are dealing with a ctitious partner
that presents itself as a partner in the
peace process, when in fact the opposite is true.”
Peace talks between Israel and Syria
collapsed in 2000 over Syrian demands for
a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan
Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured
in the 1967 war and later annexed. Talks
resumed under Turkish mediation last year,
but they collapsed after an Israeli offen-
sive in Gaza that killed about 1,400 Pal-
estinians. Israel now says new talks must
be direct and begin without conditions.
“When Israel says it wants negotiations
without conditions, it means it wants nego-
tiations with no foundation. This is like having a
building with no foundation, then it’s very easy to
be brought down and they want to bring down
the peace process,” Assad said, stating that
peace will be out of reach if Israel refuses to
discuss withdrawal from the Golan Heights.
Israel now has ruled out resuming
Turkish-mediated talks with Syria, saying
Turkey cannot be the mediator again be-
cause its criticism of Israel means it has lost
its impartiality. Israeli Prime Minister Ben-
jamin Netanyahu recently courted France
as a potential mediator instead of Turkey.
Assad, who has repeatedly said his
country wants Turkey as a mediator, said he
was not opposed to other countries helping
with peace efforts but emphasized that this
did not mean Syria wants to replace an al-
ready successful mediator with another one.
Assad praised Turkey’s efforts to bring
peace to the Middle East, saying it is one of
the biggest actors involved in peace efforts.
Erdoan said Turkey was ready to resume
mediating talks if Israel also agrees to return
to the talks with Turkish mediation. “But we
can’t force it. Israel has indicated it wants
French mediation. We are happy with state-
ments Assad has made on this; we know he
does not want [French President Nicolas]
Sarkozy’s mediation,” Erdoan said.
Both leaders called on Israel to end the
blockade of Gaza. Erdoan said an interna-
tional aid convoy that departed from Britain
early this month should be allowed to reach
Gaza. The Viva Palestina humanitarian aid
Turkey urges flexible approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
ABDULLAH BOZKURT ANKARA
A senior Turkish diplomat fired a warn-
ing shot across the European Union’s
bow regarding the fragile situation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina and urged the EU to drop
its “take it or leave it” approach toward the
tense political controversy in the country.
Murat Karagöz, deputy director-general of
the Turkish Foreign Ministry for the Balkans and
Central Europe, has said Turkey, Russia and the
US should play a greater role in the Bosnian cri-
sis and underlined that there is no need to rush
to replace the Ofce of the High Representative
(OHR) with an EU body. The aforementioned
countries are not members of the EU, but they
maintain the trust of the parties in Bosnia.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu
criticized the approach taken by Swedish Foreign
Minister Carl Bildt, whose country holds the EU’s
rotating presidency, to solving the problem in
Bosnia last month, saying the “take it or leave it”
Talat had been invited to Ankara by
Erdoan. Noting that he responded
in the afrmative to the invitation,
Erolu added: “According to the
information that came to me, Mr.
President has not accepted the invite.
I have been informed that he told An-
kara that he will not travel to Ankara, so
he must have thought that our joint visit
would not be appropriate.”
Erolu had talks in
Erçakca conrmed that Erdoan’s Ankara yesterday.
invitation to review the developments to-
gether had been extended to both Talat and Erolu
last week, yet he refused to label Talat’s absence at
the talks as a rejection of the invitation and called
such allegations “groundless.” “Our president
shared his view with Davutolu that holding
this review with Mr. Erolu and his working team,
Syrians wave their national flag and the Turkish flag during Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan’s visit to the Senan Basha
Mosque, which dates back to the Ottoman era, in Damascus on Wednesday.
convoy has already transited Turkey and Syria
and is scheduled to reach Gaza on Sunday
after passing through Jordan and Egypt. The
convoy encountered problems in Jordan on
Thursday, and reports earlier said Egypt
might not give the go-ahead to the aid convoy.
Erdoan said preventing the convoy from
reaching to Gaza would run counter to human
rights standards. “Everyone should do their
share to make sure this convoy reaches Gaza
and the people waiting for help there,” he said.
Assad: Turkey plays role in
Syria-Lebanon rapprochement
The Syrian leader also revealed Turkey was
involved in efforts to resolve problems be-
tween Syria and Lebanon. He said Turkey
had a role in recent rapprochement between
Damascus and Beirut and added that “a few
people know about this.” He did not elaborate.
Erdoan, accompanied by 10 Cabinet
approach is not working and urging for compre-
hensive consultations with all parties interested,
including Russia and Turkey. “Serbs feel more
comfortable when they see Russia involved, and
Bosnians feel more condent when Turkey is in-
volved,” he said, adding that the imposition of an
EU-developed plan on Bosnia would go nowhere.
Tension among Muslims, Serbs and Croats
in Bosnia has been brewing for some time over
power-sharing disputes, and calls for secession
by Serbs and Croats are increasingly being
voiced. Turkey wants the utmost attention to
the issue from all parties because of upcoming
national elections in Bosnia in October 2010.
Wrong signals
Ankara is increasingly voicing its concern over
what it calls “wrong signals” delivered by the inter-
national community to Bosnia. The EU lifted visa
restrictions for Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro
last week despite the fact that none of these coun-
tries has started even accession talks with the bloc
would advance the goal of harmo-
nizing Cyprus policy and proposed
considering the meeting invitation in
light of this view,” Erçakca was quoted
as saying by the Anatolia news agency.
“Upon evaluation, we decided
that having the review in Ankara
with Mr. Erolu and his work-
ing team would be more useful,”
Erçakca added. Erolu, accompa-
nied by Foreign Minister Hüseyin
Özgürgün, was scheduled to have talks
with Erdoan on Thursday evening after Today’s
Zaman went into print. Erolu, whose pro-status
quo National Unity Party (UBP) was elected to pow-
er in April’s parliamentary elections, claims to be the
strongest candidate in the 2010 elections. Talat,
who is pro-reunication, faces a possible ouster
ministers, visited Syria to attend a meet-
ing of the High Level Strategic Cooperation
Council and oversee the signing of dozens
of agreements of cooperation. On Wednes-
day the two countries signed 51 agreements
on cooperation in a wide range of areas in-
cluding water, energy, health, culture, secu-
rity, trade, electricity, oil and natural gas.
Erdoan said his talks in Syria were
a “rst milestone in a long way” ahead.
“Syria is our door to the Middle East and
our second home. Turkey is Syria’s door to
Europe and its second home,” he said, not-
ing that the trade volume between the two
countries, currently standing at $2 billion,
will reach $5 billion in the next three to
four years. Assad said Syrian-Turkish
relations should serve as a model to the
rest of the region. “Whoever wants peace
in the Middle East should … see us as an
example.” stanbul Today’s Zaman
while excluding Bosnia, Turkey and Albania, citing
technical failures in national passports. Turkey has
reacted strongly to the decision, saying the visa
policy appears to be excluding Muslim countries.
Davutolu said in Brussels last week that
Turkey would soon take steps to meet the bloc’s
conditions for visa-free travel -- such as the in-
troduction of biometric passports and the sign-
ing of an agreement on readmission of illegal
immigrants -- and warned that the EU would
be imposing double standards if it still refuses to
allow Turkish citizens to travel freely to EU mem-
ber countries. “But there is no excuse for why this
right has not been granted to citizens of Turkey, a
country negotiating for membership,” he added.
Turkey’s approach to the resolution of
outstanding issues in Bosnia hinges on a
so-called “membership action plan” with
regard to both the EU and NATO. Karagöz
said NATO failed to extend an invitation to
the Balkan country to join the plan. “Bosnia is
currently passing through a crucial juncture. If
CMYK
F R I D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9
by the hard-line opponent.
Flag controversy
Speaking to reporters ahead of his depar-
ture from the island for the Ankara meeting,
Erolu harshly criticized Greek Cypriot leader
Dimitris Christofias for his remarks calling the
KKTC flag painted across the Beparmak (Pen-
tadaktylos) Mountains a “freak of nature.”
“It is understood that it is difcult to arrive a so-
lution in the way we assumed through negotiations
with someone who can’t even accept our ag and
who doesn’t accept us as equals,” Erolu said.
In a statement released earlier on Wednesday,
Özgürgün said Christoas’ remarks was “an un-
acceptable insult” to the Turkish Cypriot people,
calling on Christoas to offer an apology to Turk-
ish Cypriots for what he had said. Ankara Today’s Zaman
REUTERS
PHOTO
Turkey brings up
Gaza tragedy at
Security Council
Turkey’s permanent representative to the UN raised the
issue of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza at a
UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, the final
meeting of the council in 2009. Recalling that it has been
almost a year since Israel launched its offensive on Gaza, on
Dec. 27 last year, Ambassador Erturul Apakan reiterated
Turkey’s call for the full implementation of UN Security Coun-
cil Resolution 1860, which outlines support for sending hu-
manitarian assistance to Gaza and removing the blockade on
Gaza to help the socio-economic reconstruction of the region.
“We cannot keep our eyes closed to this humanitarian
tragedy any longer. UN Security Council Resolution 1860 should
be fully implemented without any further delay,” Apakan said.
Turkey joined the 15-nation UN Security Council as a
non-permanent member in January and will hold its seat
through the end of 2010. Resolution 1860, adopted on Jan.
8, sets out urgent tasks for the international community
and calls on UN member states to intensify their efforts to
ensure the reopening of crossing points on the basis of the
2005 Agreement on Movement and Access between Israel
and the Palestinian Authority, while emphasizing the need
to ensure a “sustained and regular flow of goods and people
through Gaza crossings.” Ankara Today’s Zaman with wires
not handled carefully, we may face unintend-
ed consequences,” he said, adding: “Bosnia
should not be isolated.”
Turkish policy is sound
At a roundtable discussion organized by the Econom-
ic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) in
Ankara on Tuesday, an International Crisis Group
(ICG) analyst called Turkish policy on Bosnia “sound”
and “extremely wise” and dismissed the perception
that Turkey favors Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) over
Serbs or Croats as “erroneous.” Sabine Freizer,
ICG’s Europe program director, described the
situation in Bosnia as “very tense,” urging the involve-
ment of all relevant parties in calming the crisis.
“Tensions remain high. The situation in Bosnia
is as grave as it was in the early 1990s,” she said,
citing a recent ICG report that drew an alarming
picture in Bosnia. She pointed out that Bosnia’s
post-war status quo had ended, but the interna-
tional community risks muddling the transition by
delaying decisions on a new kind of engagement.
NATIONAL
AL
ASLAN
a.aslan@todayszaman.com
Is US complct
n non-Muslm
sufferngs n Turkey?
Last weekend’s “60 minutes” interview with Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew has caused quite a stir in Tur-
key. Many people focused on His All Holiness’ remarks
suggesting the Greek Orthodox community feels cruci-
ed. I personally have no objection to that depiction. It is
mainly Turkey’s fault if the spiritual leader of 300 million
Orthodox Christians and his shrunken Turkish congre-
gation feel that unhappy. As a world-renowned gure
and a proud citizen of Turkey who has fought for reli-
gious freedoms for years now, Patriarch Bartholomew
has all the right to speak out at any platform.
Having said that, let me get to my main topic. CBS
television generally did a good job in portraying the situ-
ation of Christians in modern Turkey, with a historical
background and a special focus on the problems of the
Greek Orthodox minority. However, certain overlooked
aspects might give the wrong impression to the Amer-
ican public about the root causes of these problems.
For example, there was no mention of Kemalism, the
ofcial ideology of the radically secularist and national-
ist regime founded in Turkey in 1923. And that might
lead an American audience think that some Christians
have been persecuted mainly because the country is 99
percent Muslim and religious. As a matter of fact, many
in the majority-Muslim community also suffered from
religious cleansing efforts on the part of the Kemalist es-
tablishment, which by the way is dear to many people
in Washington. And that brings us to one other
missed point in the CBS feature: the possible role
and responsibility of the US in the lack of sufcient im-
provement in the situation of non-Muslims in Turkey.
It’s good to see the benevolent hand of the US at
work when consecutive administrations and Congresses
express sympathy with the plight of non-Muslims in
Turkey. However, those efforts are often compromised
by overall American support for the Kemalist regime, which
is the mother of most human rights problems in the country.
The reasons for that include realpolitikal considerations,
anti-Islam prejudices and various special interests.
For many in Washington, Turkey’s Kemalist es-
tablishment is key to many decisions especially per-
taining to military cooperation within NATO, hence
they should not be intimidated too much. Some par-
anoid parties fall for the idea that Kemalism is the
main antidote to a prospective Islamic regime in Tur-
key. Not to mention juicy business ties and cultural
connections with the Kemalist lords of the country.
I nd the US military industrial complex especially
instrumental in spoiling the Kemalist establishment
and blocking their criticism in Washington.
Many US administrations so far have brought up the
problems of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul. Presi-
dent Barack Obama has also commendably done so in his
various meetings with Turkish leaders, including during
the latest visit to the White House by Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, in early December. But the problem is, al-
though Erdogan heads the executive branch in Turkey, he
cannot exert full control over the many Kemalist-dominated
governmental institutions. In fact, he and his family are di-
rect victims of Kemalist practices of religious persecution as
well. For example, Erdogan’s wife cannot enter a military
building because she wears an Islamic headscarf, which
is strictly prohibited in military areas. She is not invited
to ofcial Victory Day receptions hosted by generals.
So, there is a government within the government in
Turkey. And we know it’s mainly that government, not the
Erdogan administration who blocks most of the reforms,
including improvements on the religious freedoms of non-
Muslims and Muslims alike. I don’t argue that the Erdogan
administration is fully innocent. Yes, they represent one of
the most reformist administrations in modern Turkish his-
tory. But apparently, some in the Justice and Development
Party (AK Party) think the Kemalist establishment is still
too powerful, so they should not risk losing power by
intimidating them too much with reforms. Acting with
survivalist instincts can be partly understandable. But
the more the Erdogan administration concedes to the
Kemalist establishment, the more vulnerable they will
eventually be. Instead, they must ght even harder to
improve democracy, governance and human rights in
Turkey. That’s the most effective way to deprive
the Kemalist establishment of their repressive tools.
True, Washington presses for reform in Turkey; but in a
much lower voice than Brussels, without directly criticizing
Kemalism. Absent the pressure, especially on the military,
the armed muscle of Kemalist status-quo in Turkey, no real
reform is sustainable. I see the close ties between the US and
Turkish militaries as a huge lost opportunity in this respect.
Turkey is at a critical juncture. Either repressive Kemal-
ism will prevail, or more progressive interpretations of Mus-
tafa Kemal Ataturk’s modernization ideals. It is high time
for Turkey’s friends such as the US government to speak
more forcefully on the need for reforms, especially regard-
ing the obstructive role of the military in Turkish democ-
racy. Military and civilian leaders at the Pentagon must also
step in and convey to their counterparts in Ankara the same
message in a powerful way. The US and Turkish militaries
must work harder to improve interoperability not only in
a technical sense but also in terms of democratic values.
No matter how prevalent anti-Washington senti-
ments and nationalist reactions are, one should never
underestimate the leverage of the US in Turkey.
Inaction would prove Washington is not serious
about, if not complicit in, continued human rights
problems including that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
 NATIONAL
Arnç: Statement implicit admission of murder plot
contnued from page 1
This statement is an implicit admission
of the plot. I am a lawyer specializing in crimi-
nal law. Lawyers know what an implicit ad-
mission is,” Arnç noted.
Arnç also said an ongoing investigation
would shed light on the incident.
Maj. brahim G. and Col. Erkan Ylmaz
B. were detained on Saturday night in an
operation by gendarmerie and police teams
in the Çukurambar area of the Turkish cap-
ital. Both ofcers are assigned to the Gen-
eral Staff. Ankara police were informed in
early December by unidentied persons
TSK statement on Arnç plot far
from persuasive, pundits argue
contnued from page 1
Former military judge Ümit Karda
said the General Staff has little
chance of convincing the public with its
statement because several of its statements
have been proven wrong in the past. “We
will wait and see. Illegal formations are
used against the public. This is an illegal sit-
uation. The military may monitor the activi-
ties of its ofcers, but the case we are talk-
ing about is against civilians,” he remarked.
According to Kemal ahin, a retired
gendarmerie major, the Special Forces
Command did not have the authority to
monitor the activities of individuals. ahin
also stated that he found the General Staff
statement surprising.
“The General Staff has to distance itself
from junta members, but makes a statement
that protects prime suspects. If the General
Staff ordered the members of the Special
Forces Command to monitor the activities of
an individual, then they committed a crime.
To me, we do not need the Special Forces
Command. It should be abolished,” he said.
Analysts, politicians skeptical
Emre Aköz, a columnist for the Sabah dai-
ly, stated that the General Staff failed to
convince the public with its statements on
a number of issues thus far. “Everything
they explained was later proved wrong.
Citizens do not believe in the General
Staff any more,” he noted.
Star columnist Mehmet Altan criti-
cized the fact that the two suspected of-
cers were released by a military prosecu-
tor after being interrogated.
“The government has the right to re-
move the army chief from ofce or replace
high-ranking commanders. But the gov-
ernment is addressing the issue slowly,
which I cannot understand. I feel the gov-
ernment is being over-patient toward the
General Staff,” he remarked.
Zeynep Da, a Justice and Development
Party (AK Party) deputy from Ankara, said
the assassination plot against the deputy
prime minister was aimed at damaging Tur-
key’s stability. “The public does not want
instability. Such attempts bring with them
General Staff leaves many questions unanswered
The General Staff released a statement on
Wednesday about an apparent assassina-
tion plot against Deputy Prime Minister Bülent
Arnç, but left unanswered dozens of questions
as to the plotters and the timing of the assault.
Two members of the Special Forces Com-
mand, Maj. brahim G. and Col. Erkan Ylmaz
B., were detained on Saturday night on suspi-
cion of plotting to kill Arnç. Both ofcers are
assigned to the General Staff.
The General Staff failed to explain why the
two military ofcers, accused of plotting to kill
Arnç, were in possession of the home address of
the deputy prime minister and why one of them
tried to destroy the piece of paper featuring the
address when he saw police ofcers approach-
ing. The paper allegedly bears a genuine signa-
ture from the Ankara General Command. The
statement also failed to clarify why no record or
document was discovered in the vehicles, houses
or ofces of the ofcers concerning the monitor-
ing a member of the military about whom they
were allegedly gathering information.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
that a plan to assassinate Arnç had been
put into action.
Police teams also launched a search of
the suspects’ houses, resulting in the dis-
covery of several maps showing the houses
of top government ofcials and ministers.
A document showed that Arnç had been
closely monitored by the two ofcers since
March 2009. Several pages of hand-drawn
sketches giving the addresses of President
Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdoan and Parliament Speaker Mehmet
Ali ahin were also seized during the search.
The sketches were sent to the forensics de-
The General Staff claims that two Special Forces Command officers detained on suspicion of
plotting to assassinate the deputy prime minister were just in his neighborhood to gather intel-
ligence about someone else -- but not everyone is buying the military’s version of the story.
serious questions. We need to be more con-
scious of protecting and maintaining stability
in the country. Turkey has witnessed many
similar attempts in the past that damaged
national peace,” Da added.
Prosecutors investigating the plot dis-
covered on Wednesday links between plot
suspect Maj. brahim G. and retired Maj.
Muzaffer Tekin, an Ergenekon suspect who
is currently in jail. Prosecutors discovered
that the major had dozens of phone conver-
sations with Tekin. Tekin is accused of di-
recting Alparslan Arslan to carry out a 2006
attack on the Council of State aimed at in-
creasing domestic pressure on the AK Party
government to lead to a coup d’état.
Radikal columnist Akif Beki asked the
General Staff why they waited four days to
make a statement on the plot controversy.
“Why did you turn a blind eye for four days
to claims over this assassination plot? Why
did you increase concern amongst the pub-
lic? It would have been enough if you had
immediately announced that the two ofcers
were in the vicinity of Arnç’s house on of-
The General Staff claimed that the ofcers
had been assigned to gather information about a
member of the military who was accused of leak-
ing military information to third parties. The mili-
tary member reportedly under surveillance resides
in an area close to Arnç’s house, the General Staff
claimed. But sources stated on Thursday that no
member of the military resides in Arnç’s neigh-
borhood. In addition, no surveillance device was
discovered in the ofcers’ vehicles.
After the capture of the suspected ofcers,
gendarmerie and police teams launched a search
of the suspects’ houses, resulting in the discov-
ery of several maps showing the houses of top
government ofcials and ministers. A document
showed that Arnç had been closely monitored by
the two ofcers since March 2009. Several pages
of hand-drawn sketches giving the addresses
of President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Re-
cep Tayyip Erdoan and Parliament Speaker
Mehmet Ali ahin were also seized during the
search. The sketches were sent to the forensics
department of the Ankara Police Department for
partment of the Ankara Police for analysis to
determine by whom they were drawn.
On Thursday Arnç told reporters at a
press conference that he wants to believe that
a team of would-be assassins is not nested
within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).
“We are engaged in politics. We have
witnessed difcult days in politics. We have
met people who were involved in illegal ac-
tivities. We have seen what these kinds of
people can do. But I’d like to believe with all
my heart that a person who could commit
such an act [assassination] against a depu-
ty prime minister does not exist within the
C  H AN
P H OT O
cial business. And protocol would require
a phone call to Arnç by the deputy chief of
General Staff to inform him about what was
going on. If the General Staff had done this,
wouldn’t the conduct of everything have
changed?” Beki questioned.
Many observers opined that the planned
assassinations aimed to create an atmo-
sphere of chaos in the country.
According to political analyst Murat
Ylmaz, however, acts of provocation are
not likely to achieve their objectives because
people are now more aware of such attempts.
“The EU membership process Turkey
embarked on in 1999 and attempts to align
the country with Europe have brought greater
contributions to Turkish democracy. Institu-
tions have gotten stronger and the public has
become more aware. The country has become
more civilian and democratic. However, there
is a circle still opposed to reforms. We are cur-
rently witnessing their attempts. But they no
longer have the power to change the political
and economic course of the country,” Ylmaz
stressed. stanbul Today’s Zaman
analysis to determine by whom they were drawn.
One other unanswered question concerns the
authority of military ofcers to gather intelligence
about another ofcer. The General Staff did not
explain why they assigned the duty to the two of-
cers instead of asking the military’s intelligence
units to do it. The staff also did not clarify whether
it had obtained court permission to monitor the
activities of the suspected military ofcer.
In addition, the General Staff did not reveal
the rank or identity of the ofcer under Turkish
Armed Forces (TSK) surveillance, either.
The General Staff statement did not address
why the two ofcers had hired 10 vehicles from pri-
vate car rental companies to explore Arnç’s neigh-
borhood several times. Police also seized a fake
press card belonging to Col. Erkan Ylmaz B. during
the search. Prosecutors are investigating for what
purpose the colonel was planning to use the card.
The General Staff chose to wait several days
before releasing a statement on the alleged plot
and did not inform the prime minister or the
deputy prime minister about the claims in the
armed forces, Turkey’s most dignied and
disciplined institution. I will be waiting for
the conclusion of the ongoing judicial pro-
cess,” he noted.
Arnç added that the conclusion to the in-
vestigation would reassure every citizen that
they were once again able to lead a peaceful
life in Turkey and that a state governed by the
rule of law reigns over the country.
The deputy prime minister said he did
not want to comment on the General Staff’s
statement on the alleged plot, adding that he
does not plan to le a criminal complaint at
the moment. stanbul Today’s Zaman
TSK statement
about suspected
officers could be
misinformation
NEWS ANALYSIS
ERKAN ACAR
TODAY’S ZAMAN
A belated and unsatisfactory statement
from the General Staff about two military
officers accused of plotting to assassinate
Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arnç has
caused analysts to question whether the
armed forces could be deliberately mislead-
ing the public about the officers and the plot.
The statement came three days af-
ter the apprehension of Special Forces
Command members brahim G. and
Erkan Ylmaz B., both assigned to the
General Staff, and directed harsh criti-
cism at the press instead of responding
to questions about the alleged plot. The
General Staff said the press was violat-
ing the principle of the confidentiality of
an ongoing judicial process by publishing
so many details and so much commen-
tary about the incident. It also claimed
that the two officers were assigned by
the General Staff to gather intelligence
about a member of the military who was
accused of leaking military information.
Many observers found the statement
too “simple” and asked why the General
Staff chose to remain silent for three
days if the reason the officers were in
Arnç’s neighborhood was really to moni-
tor a suspected military document leak.
If this is not the case, the Gen-
eral Staff may be working to misinform
the public to protect the two officers
through the belated statement.
The Turkish military has a tactic
called “Disguise-Excuse” to direct public
perception of incidents along its own line.
The tactic is frequently mentioned
in documents seized in the office of
brahim ahin, former deputy head of
the National Police Department’s Spe-
cial Operations Unit. ahin is currently
in jail and is accused of membership
in Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal
organization charged with plotting to
overthrow the government.
meantime. The statement did not explain the real
reason behind the General Staff silence. Instead
of responding to people’s questions on the plot,
the General Staff accused the press of reporting
on the plan. The statement read that the reports
were aimed at damaging the condentiality of and
the ongoing judicial process into the alleged plot.
Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik did not nd
the General Staff statement satisfactory and
asked what the two ofcers had to do with the
sketches showing the address of Gül, Erdoan
and ahin. “Police seized such sketches. They
were hand drawn. If the ofcers were gather-
ing information about another ofcer, what did
they have to do with sketches that included the
addresses of state and government ofcials? We
hope the plan was not targeting Arnç. The evi-
dence seized so far has been forwarded to judi-
cial bodies. The judiciary will evaluate it and see
whether it can serve as evidence for a planned
crime. The truth will emerge after their inves-
tigation,” Çiçek remarked. stanbul Today’s Zaman
TODAY’S ZAMAN 05
EKREM
DUMANLI
e.dumanli@todayszaman.com
You can’t put
toothpaste back
n the tube
The assassination of Bülent Arnç was planned. By whom?
Two military ofcers on active duty were caught as suspects.
Seeing that the police ofcers were coming to get them, these
military ofcers attempted to swallow a map showing the
roads near Arnç’s house. Luckily, they could not do it. Later,
further claims were made, and the emerging information and
ndings multiply the question marks about these ofcers
working at the Special Forces Command. It was found that
such plans were not only made for Arnç.
As the investigation into the military ofcers continued
-- one is a colonel and the other a major -- the General Staff
made no statement about it for several days. A profound si-
lence! Yet, just a week ago, Chief of General Staff Gen. lker
Babu was teaching lessons to journalists, professors and
even to members of the judiciary, telling them what they
should do in a commanding style aboard a warship.
But you can’t put toothpaste back in the tube. It is evident
that there are several juntas nested within the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK), an institution with a past of gallantry and hero-
ism. For this reason, even if one incident can be covered up,
another one will rear its ugly head. It is no longer possible to
cover all of them up or continue to act as if nothing has hap-
pened. To cover up these incidents by arguing that there is an
asymmetrical psychological warfare operation against the TSK
or to fail to investigate and penalize illegal networks amounts
to more than a simple act of irresponsibility.
Please check your memory. When an illegal network called
the Sauna gang was exposed, the country was shocked. Mili-
tary ofcers working at the Special Forces Command were
members of that network. There were maps, assassination
plots, lists of names and so on. Later, another network, this
time called the Eryaman gang, was discovered, and the general
public felt the same feelings. This network, too, had military
ofcers as its members and conducted illegal activities.
The series of events starting with Sauna and continuing
up to today clearly shows that among military ofcers there
are some people who fail to perform their primary duties, but
intend to manipulate civilian politics and establish illegal net-
works and juntas to this end. The information and documents
seized in a police raid into a house in Ümraniye, stanbul,
served as evidence that illegal networks like the Sauna and
Eryaman gangs are very common. No force can destroy the
documents that are part of the Ergenekon investigation dos-
sier, and as long as those documents exist, the General Staff
will be under suspicion because of the military ofcers in-
volved in juntas. If only our army had never been associated
with such illegal activities and if only competent authorities
would immediately eliminate those illegal networks…
Imagine a country where the armed forces continually
engage in political activities and make grave errors, like the
April 27, 2007 memorandum, and attempt to directly inter-
fere with presidential elections and where members of the
armed forces are suspected of plotting the assassination of
politicians. Who will believe that country is truly a democracy
or that the rule of law is respected in that country?
According to the “Plan to nish off the AK Party [Jus-
tice and Development Party] and [Fethullah] Gülen,” some
“agents” were planted within the party, and psychological
warfare was conducted by relying on the negative reactions
created by foreign policy initiatives, with the aim of overthrow-
ing the government. It was further planned that traps would
be set for Gülen and his followers, raids conducted at some
houses where weapons had been planted beforehand and in-
nocent people accused of being members of an armed terror-
ist organization. When this document was brought to light,
they tried to punish those who had leaked it although they
were supposed to penalize those who had prepared it. They
exerted pressure on the judiciary, and they made sure that the
media organizations that support them published articles and
news stories to dismissing the document as a “piece of paper”
and covering up the incident. When the original version of the
document was found, they were dead silent for a time. They
still tried to discredit it through defamation campaigns. They
attempted to disable the Ergenekon trial by employing the Su-
preme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). At this point,
the Cage action plan was discovered. Another scandalous doc-
ument! It included assassinations of our non-Muslim citizens
and the bombing of a museum when children were visiting it.
Moreover, the Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) issued a
report that veried that the document was authentic and the
signature beneath it belonged to a colonel. The General Staff
failed to provide an explanation for this either.
The military ofcials insist on accusing others. It is wrong
to pretend that the many explosives, weapons and ammuni-
tion found buried underground do not belong to the TSK.
Chief of General Staff Gen. lker Babu had a good op-
portunity to restore condence in his institution when he took
ofce. Noting that he would not allow antidemocratic activities
within the army, he said that they would not permit such peo-
ple to operate within the TSK. And this was the right thing to
do. The existence of juntas inicts the greatest damage on the
TSK. Failure to combat these juntas would create the biggest
problem for the chief of general staff. Turkey is not an ordinary
country, and its army is not an institution that can be managed
irresponsibly or that can suffer a continuous loss of credibility.
Nevertheless, it is unfortunate for our army to be associated
with juntas despite many campaigns to improve its image. It
is no longer possible to conceal this bitter truth. Babu must
keep his promise and eradicate the juntas. Attempts to afford
protection to them give rise to suspicions about the involve-
ment of high-ranking ofcers in such juntas, and if this is the
case, it is a grave offense. People have the right to expect plau-
sible explanations and action in a country rife with juntas.
 06 TODAY’S ZAMAN
Suicide officer claimed to have headed illegal drug operations
A naval ofcer who reportedly committed sui-
cide by shooting himself last Sunday to avoid
arrest due to the ongoing investigation into a plot
against some navy admirals was the head of an ex-
treme left-wing gang’s narcotics operations, news-
papers claimed on Thursday.
According to the reports, four of the nine lieu-
tenants arrested as part of an investigation into a plot
to assassinate some navy admirals were linked to the
illegal extreme-left Revolutionary Headquarters. Lt.
Col. Ali Tatar, who was arrested earlier but then re-
leased, shot himself on Sunday when he found out
he was to be taken into custody for a second time.
Reports yesterday said Tatar was in charge of the or-
ganization’s drug trafcking operations.
In July, nine lieutenants were detained on
charges of having plotted to assassinate former
Naval Forces Commander Adm. Metin Ataç and
Naval Commander Adm. Eref Uur Yiit. Re-
ports yesterday claimed that at least four of these
lieutenants were members of the Revolutionary
Headquarters. According to these reports, pictures
of Orhan Ylmazkaya, the leader of the organiza-
tion who was killed in a shootout in the middle of
stanbul on Apr. 27, 2009, was found in the homes
of all four lieutenants. The police also found some
Prme suspect n Sabanc
murder may be dead
A news channel yesterday claimed
that Fehriye Erdal, one of the prime
suspects in the 1996 assassination of
a prominent businessman from the Sabanc
family, has been killed in Europe.
Erdal was the only person who could have
revealed information about the real master-
minds behind the murder, as some evidence has
indicated that Ergenekon, a clandestine network
whose suspected members are currently on trial
over charges of plotting to overthrow the gov-
ernment, might have been involved.
Erdal, the prime suspect in the 1996 kill-
ing of Özdemir Sabanc, was sentenced two
days ago to two years in prison in Belgium,
where she ed after the murder, on charges
of entering the country illegally, membership
in a terrorist organization and possessing ex-
plosives, but her sentence was suspended.
The ruling may not be signicant, since she
has disappeared with no one, even her clos-
est condants, having an idea of where she
might be. Private television channel Kanal D
has reported that Erdal has been killed and
is buried in a Balkan country, citing the latest
intelligence reports. If true, Erdal will be the
second Özdemir Sabanc murder suspect to
have been killed. Another of the three main
suspects, Mustafa Duyar, was killed in 1999.
This would come as no surprise because
Ergenekon-like groups are known to eradi-
cate entire teams of hit men and assassins
once the job or jobs are done.
In 1996, Sabanc was killed by gunmen on
the 25th oor of the Sabanc Holding building in
stanbul. The case has not yet been solved. Many
mysteries surrounding his death -- including
how the attackers could have gained access to
the high-security building, let alone bring in ma-
chine guns -- have remained unsolved.
Three terrorists and members of the Rev-
olutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front
(DHKP/C), Erdal, smail Akkol and Duyar,
were arrested in connection with the assassi-
nation. Erdal managed to escape to Belgium,
where she disappeared after being put under
house arrest and is now rumored to be dead.
Akkol is still on the run, while Duyar turned
himself in that same year. There have been un-
conrmed reports that the Interior Ministry --
at a time when Turkey did not have a witness
protection program -- was working to enable
Duyar, who had already shared information
about the DHKP/C, to go free in return for il-
Charity administrators detained over Eid al-Adha fraud released
Charity organization heads who were de-
tained on Wednesday over corrupt practices
in accepting donations during the Feast of the Sacri-
ce, or Eid al-Adha, were released yesterday; how-
ever, 20 of the 31 detainees, including the owner of
a meat corporation, were arrested.
The 20 people who were arrested were sent
from an Ankara courthouse to prison at around
3:00 a.m. yesterday.
Eleven people, including Mehmetçik Vakf (Turk-
ish Soldiers Foundation) General Manager Salih
Admiral Yiit poisoned twice, TV claims
Several TV channels claimed yesterday
that Adm. Eref Uur Yiit, who had alleg-
edly been targeted by an assassination plot
devised by a group of soldiers from the naval
forces, was poisoned twice.
Although there are no details about the
second attempt, the admiral was first poisoned
when he had lunch at one of the Naval Training
Command’s training centers, where he was to
undergo an inspection on Nov. 18. In addition
to the admiral, 800 military personnel who had
eaten the same food were also poisoned.
Yiit reportedly had a brawl with another ad-
miral during the lunch and said: “You failed to
kill me, but I will destroy you. You cannot get rid
documents linking the men to the organization.
A shootout between Turkish police and Revo-
lutionary Headquarters members during a raid on
an apartment building in Bostanc in April left three
people dead and eight others wounded.
The Revolutionary Headquarters is said to be in
If what Kanal D has reported is true, Fehriye Erdal is the second Özdemir Sabanc murder sus-
pect to have been killed, taking to her grave critical information about the assassination.
luminating the details of the Sabanc murder.
Duyar was killed in prison in 1999.
Kanal D says various security and intel-
ligence units have information indicating that
Erdal is no longer alive. These sources, Kanal
D reported, say that Erdal, who has been miss-
ing for some time, was killed only recently. The
units also have noticed that those close to Erdal
who are under surveillance have not contacted
her in any way, increasing the possibility that
she might indeed have been killed.
Akkol, the third suspect, is also be-
lieved to have gone to Europe. There have
been various claims that he was killed three
months after the murder.
Erdal was possibly the only surviving
suspect and a key to the mysteries sur-
rounding the murder.
Turkey is a country where assassina-
tions of important public gures have been
Gülolu, Foundation for Children with Leukemia
(LÖSEV) head Üstün Ezer, Deniz Feneri (Lighthouse)
Chairman Mehmet Cengiz and Turkish Union of
Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Vice
President Faik Yavuz were released after a hearing that
lasted until the early morning hours on Thursday.
The relatives of those detained who were wait-
ing outside the courthouse received the news of their
loved ones’ release with cheers. There was even a
group of children and their families from LÖSEV.
Upon his release, LÖSEV head Ezer said his
of me and you cannot poison me. I will remain
standing. You will see.”
Claims also suggest the admiral with whom
Yiit spoke is one of the masterminds of Er-
genekon, a clandestine gang charged with plot-
ting to overthrow the government.
Meanwhile, Adm. Yiit attended the funeral
of Lt. Col. Ali Tatar, who committed suicide on
Sunday, the Vakit daily reported yesterday. Adm.
Yiit wore a bulletproof vest. The daily also said
Yiit attended the funeral after the General Staff
decided on which commanders are to be in at-
tendance. Vakit said security measures were
tightened to ensure the safety of the admiral and
his wife at the funeral. Göksel Genç stanbul
close cooperation with Ergenekon, more than a 100
members of which are suspects in an ongoing case
on charges of plotting a coup.
Shortly after April’s gun battle, there were
reports that the stanbul police decided to launch
an operation against the Revolutionary Head-
R E U TE R S, FR A NC OIS L E NOIR
P HOTO
rife, with links between countless murders of
journalists, writers, bureaucrats and judges to
clandestine gangs such as Ergenekon clus-
tered within the state hierarchy.
In July, journalist Can Dündar claimed
that Supreme Board of Judges and Pros-
ecutors (HSYK) member Ali Suat Ertosun,
who has been in the spotlight for wanting
to remove prosecutors investigating the Er-
genekon gang, could be linked to the death of
Duyar. The journalist said Duyar had wanted
to talk before his death. Despite obtaining the
necessary permission from then-Justice Min-
ister Hasan Denizkurdu, Dündar said he was
blocked from meeting with Duyar days before
Duyar was killed. Dündar said it was none
other than Ertosun -- who headed the Prisons
and Detention Centers Directorate at the time
-- who had prevented the interview from tak-
ing place. stanbul Today’s Zaman
organization has not engaged in any wrongdo-
ing and that donations to their organization for
animal sacrices will continue.
Mehmetçik Vakf’s Gülolu said it is unfor-
tunate that his organization’s name has become
linked to such a case.
The suspects were accused of not fullling about
two-thirds of the orders from people who donated
their sacrices to these foundations. They are ac-
cused of fraud amounting to TL 40 million. Many
Muslims choose to donate money to charitable or-
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
quarters after they listened in on several phone
conversations between the group’s members and
four Ergenekon suspects. According to reports,
the leader of the terrorist group, Ylmazkaya,
had phone conversations with retired Capt.
Muzaffer Tekin, neo-nationalist businessmen
Birol Baaran and Zeki Yurdakul Çaman and
Mete Yalazangil, a former True Path Party (DYP)
Kadköy branch chairman. Revolutionary Head-
quarters was also behind a bombing of the rul-
ing Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party)
stanbul provincial branch building and a mortar
attack in stanbul’s Üsküdar district, which in-
jured three civilians in 2008.
Testimony by secret witnesses in the Ergenekon
investigation showed that Revolutionary Head-
quarters nanced their activities with money ac-
quired by drug smuggling. “There are Revolution-
ary Headquarters members who hold regular talks
with state ofcials,” claimed one of the witnesses.
Another witness also claimed that the ter-
rorist group cooperated with the terrorist
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in two sepa-
rate bombings in stanbul’s Güngören district,
which killed 17 people and injured more than
150 in July 2008. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
Sakk questioned
over killings of
33 soldiers
Prosecutors investigating Ergenekon, a clan-
destine gang charged with plotting to overthrow
the government, have questioned the former
second-highest official in the Kurdistan Work-
ers’ Party (PKK) about the deaths of 33 soldiers
in Bingöl 16 years ago. The jailed leader of the
outlawed PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, claimed last
week that the killings of several Turkish sol-
diers in eastern Bingöl in 1993 were the work
of a former PKK leader who had received or-
ders from Ergenekon. His words came at a
time when the case has been reopened un-
der the Ergenekon investigation.
Öcalan discussed the killings of 33 Turk-
ish soldiers in Bingöl in 1993 with his law-
yers, who quoted him as saying that the kill-
ings were plotted by emdin Sakk upon an
order from the Ergenekon criminal network.
According to reports yesterday, Ergenekon
Chief Prosecutor Zekeriya Öz and two other pros-
ecutors went to the Diyarbakr Prison, where
the PKK’s former number two emdin Sakk
is being held, questioning him about Öcalan’s
accusations. Sakk said the orders to stage
the attack were given by Öcalan himself. The
meeting was confirmed by Sakk’s lawyer Aydn
Altaç, who told the Taraf daily: “My client gave
information to the prosecutors on the Bingöl in-
cident and on other murders. He said the links
behind the events in 1993 and beyond should
be thoroughly investigated.” The lawyer said the
negligence of commanders played a role in the
Bingöl incident, noting that it was an attempt to
sabotage a truce in place at the time. Earlier in
the investigation, a soldier who survived the at-
tack had testified to the prosecution.
Öcalan’s statements
Last week Öcalan, speaking about the Bingöl
incident, reportedly told his lawyers: “I don’t un-
derstand why Sakk did such a thing. Each time I
asked him about the incident, he gave different
responses. I don’t mean to imply that Sakk had
direct links with Ergenekon, but he was definitely
used by the group.” Öcalan also said he would
tell all he knew about the killings provided that
a commission is established to investigate the
incident. “If a commission is established, light
will be shed on similar events. State courts can-
not conduct investigations into such incidents.
There should be jurists, academic or politicians
on the commission. In this way, the public can
decide who is right and who is wrong and who
wanted the best course for Turkey and who in-
tended to harm it,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the 27th hearing in the second
Ergenekon trial -- where charges in the second
and third indictments into the case are be-
ing heard -- took place in the Silivri Prison. In
yesterday’s trial, defendant Tuncay Özkan, a
journalist and head of the New Party (YP), pre-
sented his defense statement. He criticized
the prosecutors for including too many details
about his personal life in court proceedings.
“How can you try my entire life? Do you have
the authority? Do you have the energy? Do
you have the brains or the power for that?” he
asked, addressing the prosecution.
ganizations to sacrice an animal on their behalf for
the religious holiday, which commemorates Proph-
et Abraham’s willingness to sacrice his son.
The investigation, which began with orders
from the Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Ofce, found
that Mehmetçik Vakf charged excessively for the
sacrices. Ofcials of the Turkish Aviation Board
(THK), which collects sheepskins to help the devel-
opment of the state aviation sector, allegedly pre-
pared fraudulent documents on more than 150,000
sheepskins. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
NATIONAL
Ergenekon suspect’s
planned attacker
seeks ‘agenda change’
Erhan Keskin, who was captured by the
police on Saturday at a hospital where a
suspect facing trial on charges of membership
in Ergenekon, an organization charged with
plotting to overthrow the government, is un-
dergoing treatment, has confessed in his tes-
timony that he went to the hospital to change
the agenda of the country and admitted that he
believes he reached his goal.
In his testimony, Keskin further said he went
to the hospital at the order of Sedat D., a retired
noncommissioned ofcer. Sedat D. was detained
after Keskin’s testimony and is expected to be re-
ferred to the stanbul court in Beikta today.
Keskin was captured by police with two guns
on Saturday evening after ring into the ceiling
at the hospital where Ergenekon suspect retired
Gen. Levent Ersöz is receiving treatment. Keskin
was referred to the Beikta court on Monday.
In his initial testimony, Keskin had said he
was in the hospital to visit a relative named Yu-
suf Bakrc, whom police were unable to locate in
hospital records. According to witnesses, Keskin
entered the hospital on Saturday, saying he was
there to visit a relative. However, when the se-
curity staff found there was no one by the name
given by Keskin in the hospital, they asked him
what he was doing. Keskin then started running
and opened re at the ceiling before being de-
tained by police. Salih Sarkaya / Çalar Avc stanbul
Terrorists were
speaking in Turkish,
says Readiye victim
One of the soldiers injured in an out-
lawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
attack that claimed the lives of seven soldiers in
Tokat’s Readiye district earlier this month has
said the terrorists who opened re on the mili-
tary vehicle he was in were speaking in Turkish.
Sgt. Yusuf Öztürk was discharged from
the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine
(GATA) yesterday, where he had been receiv-
ing treatment since the attack.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency from
his house in Adana’s Tufanbeyli district, Öztürk
said the weather was foggy on the day of the at-
tack and that the visibility was two meters.
“The terrorists opened re on our vehicle
with Kalashnikovs. After I was injured, I placed
the handle of my weapon on the wound in my
abdomen so that it would stop bleeding. In a short
while, I called all the numbers I knew on my cell
phone to inform people of the attack. Later, de-
spite my injuries, I walked for one kilometer be-
fore stopping a village minibus. With another in-
jured friend of mine, we reached safety. Just after
the attack, I heard voices in Turkish saying, ‘Two
of them are escaping’.” The Frat news agency
announced that the attack in Readiye was car-
ried out by a unit of the People’s Defense Forces
(HPG), the armed wing of the PKK, but without
an order from the commander of the forces or the
PKK. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
3 sent to court over
journalist’s killing
Three people who were detained as part
of an investigation into the shooting of a
journalist in the Bandrma district of Balkesir
on Dec. 18 were sent to court yesterday on
charges relating to the murder.
After being interrogated by the police, Ser-
kan E., 25, who is suspected of being the gun-
man who shot journalist Cihan Hayrsevener,
along with Tolga Ö., 24, and Ali T., 28, ap-
peared in court yesterday.
In his testimony Serkan E. said he had
not intended to kill Hayrsevener but had
aimed at his foot because of a disagreement
with the journalist. Hayrsevener, 53, was
editor-in-chief of the local newspaper Güney
Marmara’da Yasam (Life in Southern Mar-
mara) in the western city of Bandrma. Accord-
ing to reports, he had recently received death
threats for reporting on a local corruption
scandal. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
BDP forms group
in Parliament
The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP),
established to replace the Democratic
Society Party (DTP), which was shut down
by the Constitutional Court two weeks ago,
has formed a parliamentary group. The 19
ex-DTP deputies in Parliament joined the
BDP along with independent deputy Ufuk
Uras, who served as the new party’s 20th
deputy, bringing the number of BDP seats
to the minimum required to form a parlia-
mentary group. The BDP’s petition to form
a parliamentary group was submitted to the
Parliament administration in the early eve-
ning hours yesterday after Uras joined the
party. stanbul Today’s Zaman
 BUSINESS
Businessmen see 2010
a year of ‘cautious hope’
contýnued from page 1
The speed at which governments enact-
ed such measures was unprecedented,
and possibly saved the global economy from fall-
ing into a further global slump rivaling the turbu-
lent times of the 1920s.
The upturn in economic conditions in Turkey
in the last quarter of the year has left many wonder-
ing whether the worst is over, and whether 2010
will make up for the losses in 2009. Although Tur-
key’s Medium-Term Economic Program (MTEP)
released by the government predicted a return to
growth in 2010, some in the business world are
calling this overly-optimistic, while others are say-
ing that the government should aim even higher.
Regardless of the exact numbers, the Turkish busi-
ness world, having seen the recent rays of hope in
the economy, is hopeful about the coming year.
‘Our weapon is the banking sector’
“Strong dialogue between the government and
the business world will lead to growth rates sur-
passing 5 percent,” stated Turkish Industrialists
and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSAD) board
member Haluk Dinçer. Speaking to the Anato-
lia news agency, Dinçer noted that the MTEP’s
schemes for 2010 were quite conservative, but
added: “The government’s budget decit has
tied its hands… Thus our weapons are our strong
banking sector, the entrepreneurial spirit of the
business world and our experience in successfully
dealing with crisis.”
Speaking on the MTEP in relation to his 2010
expectations, Dinçer highlighted that the 3.5 to
5 percent projected growth rate set forth by the
government would not fulll the needs of the
economy, and would not solve the crippling un-
employment problem and would lead to a loss of
competitiveness of the Turkish economy. He add-
ed that the business world and the government
needs to put forward more ambitious targets and
work towards meeting them. Speaking on a po-
tential International Monetary Fund (IMF) stand-
by deal with Turkey, Dinçer stated that there was
a need for a new deal because of the restrictive
budget decit and high public debt.
Strong signs of recovery for industry
The industrial sector is the powerhouse of the
economy, and signs of its recovery are strong, ac-
cording to stanbul Chamber of Industry (SO)
Chairman Tanl Küçük. Küçük highlighted that
industrial production had enjoyed its rst unex-
pectedly high growth in October 2009, after 14
months of decline. “This development, even if it
helps the morale of the industry, does not mean
the industry has stabilized. The role of being the
powerhouse of the economy is still on us, the
industry,” Küçük noted. “We expect household
consumption to increase by 2.5 percent in 2010,
and exports by 11.5 percent, but the latest gures
in the consumer condence index reveal that do-
mestic demand will increase slowly… Our exports
increased by 3.9 percent in October on a dollar ba-
sis, and our industries have been able to minimize
the fall in exports and slowly slow down produc-
tion... In these conditions, for our hopes for 2010
to continue, the dollar-TL exchange rate must not
fall,” Küçük stressed. He added that the 4.4 per-
cent annual growth in extra revenues predicted
of industry for 2010 would not cover the losses of
2009, and that with these gures we could go back
to 2008 levels by 2011. “It is becoming obvious
that it will take longer to exit this crisis fully than it
did to exit the 2001 crisis,” Küçük stated.
Deal with IMF not obligatory
Former Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and
Businessmen’s Association (TÜSAD) and MAP
Electronic Commerce Services Company Board
Chairman Erkut Yücaolu said that Turkey will be
heavily dependent on global business cycles. “Tur-
key will grow by a higher rate than other countries
because its structure means it dives into a reces-
sion deeply but also enables it to recover rapidly,”
he said. Stressing that Turkey should adopt a new
strategy by concentrating on new export mar-
kets, Yücaolu stated that this would at the least
boost the business capacity of the country. “It is
not possible for our exports to present markets
to rise rapidly. So I believe it is the right thing for
Turkish businessmen to seek new markets.” In
regards to a possible stand-by deal with the IMF,
he remarked that a stand-by deal is not obligatory
but it would be advantageous for Turkey as it will
provide the country with extra reserves.
Auto sector keep fueling growth
brahim Aybar, the chairman of the executive
board of the Automotive Distributors’ Associa-
tion (ODD), said nobody should expect growth in
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
Ahmet Nakka
Following 14 months of
decline, industrial pro-
duction enjoyed an unex-
pectedly high 6.5 percent
growth rate in October.
brahim Aybar
the automotive market unless Turkey’s economic
grows in 2010. “It is possible for us to see stagnation
in the automotive and commercial vehicle market
in 2010. If measures to revive the domestic market
are not taken, we expect stagnation in 2010,” he
said. Aybar noted that possible tax incentives could
help revive the sector in the new year. Noting that
the sector saw a decline in production in 2009 de-
spite tax reductions, he noted that the government
should intensify their quest to keep momentum
going in the domestic auto market. He stressed
that Turkey has to maintain sustainable growth in
its domestic market if it wants to retain competitive
power in the global arena.
Capital markets see light ahead
Turkish Association of Capital Market Interme-
diary Institutions (TSPAKB) President Nevzat
Öztangut said he expected the recovery period,
which started in the capital market in the third
quarter of 2009, to continue in 2010. “Recent indi-
ces suggest that the negative impacts of the crisis
have started to slow down in the capital market
and we hope such an atmosphere will also contin-
ue in 2010.” He said they also expected to yield the
fruits of projects that were started in 2009. “The
more expectations for a swift recovery in Turkish
economy become apparent, the more foreign in-
vestors will turn their eyes to our market.” Recall-
ing that the capital market has enjoyed an increase
in turnover in the rst nine months of 2009 over
the same period of 2008, he said a similar posi-
Erkut Yucaolu Haluk Dinçer
Nevzat Öztangut Tanl Küçük
tive sign could also be seen in employment in the
sector. “The sector has doubled its turnover in the
rst nine months of this year when compared to
same months of the preceding year. The increase
in unemployment in the sector has also ceased in
the third quarter. All these indices are encouraging
before we enter 2010.”
Construction: Demand may linger
Turgay Tanes, the chairman of the executive
board of the Association of Real Estate Investment
Companies (GYODER), said he forecasts a lim-
ited rise in demand, along with investments and
supply. Underlining that the current interest rates
for loans are still high for middle and low-income
customers, he said further declines in interest rates
could jump start the sector in the new year. Mak-
ing mention of increasing unemployment in the
real estate sector, the GYODER head said a per-
manent recovery could take longer than anticipat-
ed. Tanes said the sector was recuperating thanks
to some projects recently introduced as part of the
2010 stanbul European Capital of Culture and the
stanbul Finance Center (FM).
Textile sector eyes exports bounce
stanbul Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters
Association (HKB) President Hikmet Tanrverdi
shared his assessments regarding his sector’s per-
formance in 2009 and his predictions for 2010.
Noting that the most serious problems of 2009
were the declining production, capacity utiliza-
Hikmet Tanrverdi
TODAY’S ZAMAN, CELL KIRNAPCI
PHOTO
Turgay Tanes
tion rates and exports due to contracting markets,
Tanrverdi said the ready-to-wear and apparel
sector sustained a recession in performance rather
than a contraction in real terms. There are positive
indicators that the recession in the global economy
has lost pace and this will surely have encouraging
effects on the Turkish ready-to-wear and apparels
industry, he argued.
Foreign procurement groups still want to pur-
chase products made in Turkey, he acknowledged
and said: “With the recovery in the global markets,
we hope to attain the same level of exports as we
achieved in 2008, which was $15.7 billion.”
Turkish Clothing Industrialists Association
(TGSD) President Ahmet Nakka also offered
his opinions regarding the possible course of
the textile sector in the year ahead. According to
estimates for the 2009 year-end, textile exports
will decline by nearly 20 percent over the previ-
ous year to $5.5 billion while the ready-to-wear
industry is likely to sustain a drop of 15 percent
to $13.5 billion, he asserted. Unlike Tanrverdi,
Nakka was not hopeful that the 2008 sales g-
ures could be reached in 2010. Rather he believes
that the exports will rebound to their 2008 levels
only after two or more years. In the post-crisis pe-
riod, the developed nations will consume less and
will be more prone to save whereas the people
of the developing countries will spend more for
consumption, he argued, and concluded that
Turkish manufacturers should focus more on the
emerging markets. stanbul Today’s Zaman
TODAY’S ZAMAN 07
Minister dismisses
claims of 50 pct
natural gas hike
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner
Yldz said Thursday that recent claims of a 50 per-
cent hike in natural gas prices were not true.
Speaking to reporters in the Syrian capital of Damas-
cus, Yldz said it was impossible to mention any certain
price hike yet as he noted that natural gas prices are set
by an automatic pricing mechanism which was put into
action in June 2008. Yldz is accompanying Prime Min-
ister Recep Tayyip Erdoan on his ofcial visit to Syria.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
leader Deniz Baykal recently claimed that the govern-
ment was preparing to introduce a 50 percent net hike
in natural gas prices in January. Yldz said the govern-
ment will make the necessary announcements “when
the time comes,” adding that people should not be
misled by “speculative news.” “Some people speak so
assuredly about the price hikes for natural gas, but we
have not said the nal word yet. So, nothing is certain
yet,” the minister said. Asked whether the government
may decide to not increase natural gas prices, the min-
ister said such an option was still on the table. With
regards to anticipated energy deals with Syria, he said
the government expected to sign three separate energy
deals with the country.
Natural gas prices in Turkey are set each month in
line with developments in global markets and oil prices
according to an automatic pricing mechanism. Follow-
ing the implementation of this mechanism, custom-
ers saw large increases in natural gas prices for both
household and industrial use. stanbul Today’s Zaman
TODAY’S ZAMAN
PHOTO
Erol Yarar
MÜSAD: Tax
increases would
stifle recovery
Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Asso-
ciation (MÜSAD) founder Erol Yarar has asked the
government to not raise taxes in order to nance the wid-
ening budget decit, stating that it would create a heavy
burden during the economic recovery.
Speaking at the Bursa branch of MÜSAD yesterday,
Yarar stressed that any attempts at raising taxes to -
nance the budget decit during this post-crisis recovery
period would be “completely against economic prin-
ciples and the realities of the global economy.” He rec-
ommended that the government “forget” such a move.
“We’re hearing that some ministers are working
towards increasing taxes to nance the budget decit.
Developed nations are thinking of lowering taxes in
order to stabilize their economies and start growing
again. … What they are thinking of doing is illogical. As
a businessmen and someone who has devoted his life
to the economic sciences, I highly recommend that the
government not consider such a policy. I hope that the
government does not implement this and removes this
potential burden from the backs of industry,” Yarar said.
His speech also included his projections for 2010,
noting that 2010 would be a year of economic develop-
ment for Turkey. Yarar also highlighted that the reforms
made to strengthen the banking sector after the 2001
crisis helped the Turkish economy tone down the effects
of the global nancial crisis. stanbul Today’s Zaman
 08 TODAY’S ZAMAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
BUSINESS

Turkish construction sector in 2009: A lost year TOBB ready to take

action in upgrading
ZEYNEP KALKAVAN STANBUL traction rate of 18.1 percent in the third quarter of the worked in construction before, that entered the sec-

Despite incentives and favorable conditions

prevailing in the market, the construction sec-
tor was far from being rejuvenated during the year
but still severely felt the negative aftereffects of the
global nancial crisis, contracting at phenomenal
rates. Sector representatives, considering 2009 as
a “lost year” en masse, do not expect to see a rapid
recovery taking place in the year ahead, either.
The sector experienced its heyday between 2002
and 2007, when numerous new mass building proj-
ects were introduced, turning big cities into giant
construction sites. The construction market constant-
ly expanded with the entrance of many new compa-
nies into the business. However, things changed
drastically with the eruption of the global finan-
cial crisis. The sector suffered a 7.6 percent con-
traction in 2008 and many new projects were
cancelled due to fluctuations in the markets.
Hit by the most destructive effects of the reces-
sion, the construction sector faced a grim start to 2009
and the shrinkage in the sector continued throughout
the year, with 18.9 percent and 21.4 percent contrac-
tion rates in the rst and second quarters of the year,
respectively. Even though the economy has been
showing signs of recovery from the recession for a
long while and the overall contraction rate declined
from its peak of 14.7 percent in the rst quarter to
3.3 percent in the third quarter, the recovery in the
construction sector remained limited, posting a con-
Mermerler CEO: Auto ndustry needs
sound measures for better future
year. In the rst nine months of the year, the sec-
tor took a 19.5 percent dive, a gure approximately
two-and-a-half times the contraction of the overall
economy, which is 8.4 percent.
According to a recently released study of the Real
Estate Investing Partners Association (GYODER), ti-
tled “Turkey and the World Real Estate Sector Report -
the 3rd quarter, 2009,” the number of building permits
secured from municipalities also decreased from an
annual average of 580,000 in the years between 2005
and 2007 to a predicted 420,000 for the end of 2009.
In order to boost sales and support the suffer-
ing sector in the face of the economic meltdown, the
government introduced a cut in title deed fees and
value-added tax (KDV) in March, which lasted until
the end of June. However, as the KDV rate for houses
smaller than 150 square meters was already 1 percent
and for larger houses only 5 percent, the tax incen-
tive was deemed to be far from being a cure for the
deteriorating situation. On the other hand, the cut
introduced in title deed fees resulted in a sharp
rise in housing sales gures in the second quarter
of 2009, which totaled 194,743, representing a 72
percent increase over the same period of last year.
However, despite a signicant fall in mortgage
interest rates to less then 1 percent in the third quarter
and attractive promotions launched by rms operat-
ing in the market to clear their already large housing
stocks which were built in pre-crisis times, this upturn
in housing sales did not continue in the following
three months. The number of houses sold between
July and September was only 111,913, a gure only
slightly higher than that in the same period of 2008.
The GYODER report explained the rise seen
exclusively in the second quarter saying that the in-
crease seen in housing sales between the months of
March and June was not a sign of recovery stemming
from actual sales in the specied time, but a result
of people who had purchased their houses previ-
ously but had not yet transferred the titles wishing
to benet from the title deed incentive. Thus, even
though housing sales rose by 24 percent in the rst
nine months of the year compared to the same
period of last year, the situation seems unlikely
to reect the reality, suggesting that a full recov-
ery will take more time than usual.
Only well-organized rms
survived in 2009
The economic downturn also led some companies to
go bankrupt in 2009, which had long been expect-
ed, as there were many companies that had never
tor during its boom time. These companies, lack-
ing enough capital and experience, were the rst of Sarp gate
to suffer from the recession. Uur Dumankaya, Turkish Union of Chambers and Com-
executive member of Dumankaya naat, one of modity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat
the largest and most respected companies in the Hisarcklolu has said they expect to play a role in
construction business, said that 2009 was actually the modernization of the Georgian side of the Sarp
a successful year for rms that had managed to border gate at Turkey’s border with the country.
set up good organizational structures, admitting, Delivering the opening speech at an Economic Coop-
however that sales had remained low compared to eration Organization (ECO) meeting in stanbul on Thurs-
the low levels of mortgage interest rates. day, Hisarcklolu said they planned to introduce a new
Sector representatives as a whole consider operation model which could accelerate plans to modern-
2009 to be a year of losses for the construction sec- ize the Sarp border gate and that they are ready to share
tor and neither did they expect a rapid recovery to their experiences regarding this with the ECO member
take place in the near future. According to GYO- countries. The membership of the ECO consists of Turkey,
DER President Turgay Tanes, the rst signs of re- Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajiki-
covery in the sector are expected to start to take stan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
place in 2010 and that by as late as 2012 the sector Underlining that it has become a priority to
will have returned to its 2008 levels. The Turkish strengthen trade and business ties between ECO mem-
Contractors Association’s (TMB) latest “Construc- bers amidst the troubles of the global nancial crisis,
tion Sector Analysis” report, on the other hand, Hisarcklolu said the countries should use their eco-
predicts that the sector will complete the year with nomic potential effectively to do this. “The ECO mem-
a contraction of roughly 20 percent that will con- ber states are located in a region which is home to 70
tinue throughout the year 2010, with recovery be- percent of the world’s natural gas and oil reserves. We
ginning in 2011 according to the most optimistic have to create new opportunities for further economic
prediction, unless the government makes major development from such potential.” stanbul Today’s Zaman
investments in infrastructure in the near future.
As a reason for the sector being so severely im-
pacted by the recession, the TMB report indicated
the late introduction of the necessary measures by
TRT earns
the government to halt the downturn. TL 39 million from
advertisements
The state-owned Turkish Radio and Television
Corporation (TRT) earned TL 39 million in adver-
tisement revenues in 2008, Deputy Prime Minister and
State Minister Bülent Arnç has said.
Answering a parliamentary question from Nation-
alist Movement Party (MHP) Hatay deputy Süleyman
Turan Çirkin about the revenues of the state’s broad-
casting institution on Thursday, Arnç said the com-
bined broadcasting costs of TRT 6, TRT Çocuk, TRT
Avaz and TRT Türk stations totaled TL 61.28 million
and underlined that these stations were effective in
reaching a considerable audience.

AA, HASAN ARSLAN

Yüksel Mermer, the CEO of Mermer- In addition, Arnç noted that 24 percent of the TRT’s
ler Group, Chinese giant Chery’s Turkey overall revenues came from banderol fees, while 46 per-
distribution partner, has said the Turkish cent came from a TRT fee assessed as part of electricity bills
automotive sector needs effective measures with an in Turkey and 27 percent from revenues derived from in-
urgent “master plan” for a better future. terests, sale of commercial goods and program sales. The
Speaking on Thursday in stanbul during a advertisement revenues corresponded to only a 3 percent
panel discussion organized by the Independent part of overall revenues, Arnç said.
Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association
PHOTO
“The budget of the institution [TRT] ends every
(MÜSAD), Mermer said the auto industry had year with, by denition, no decit, and any surplus in
suffered heavy losses from the very beginning of the budget is preserved in the equities and is utilized
the global nancial crisis and that the govern- in the nancing of the institution’s services. Since TRT
ment should follow developments in both global is not a state economic enterprise, it doesn’t write any
and domestic markets closely. “We need a mas- loss,” the minister noted. Ankara Today’s Zaman
ter plan that will delineate the necessary adjust-
ments in taxes and possible future investments
to be put into action before things get worse in
the auto sector.” Underlining that current taxes TSK calls for
from auto sales in Turkey are “extraordinarily
high,” he said high taxes should be revised in ac- Türk- members to
cordance with EU standards. “The auto sector is
one of the few sectors in Turkey that makes the ‘rethink’ protest
highest contribution to the recorded economy. Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Unions
The government should maintain the future (TSK) Chairman Turul Kudatgobilik has come
well-being of this prominent industry.” Hyundai Assan CEO Ali Kibar (L), MÜSAD Automotive Sector board chairman Zeki Akbal (C) and Mermerler Group CEO Yüksel Mermer spoke out against a decision by the Confederation of Turk-
Noting that players in the Turkish automotive at the “Expectations for the Post-Crisis Automotive Sector” conference held in stanbul yesterday.
ish Labor Unions’ (Türk-) to protest the laying off of
sector have been experiencing cutthroat competi- employees of Turkey’s alcohol and tobacco monopoly,
tion for the past few years, Mermer said this has foreign investment in the industry. of new incentives in the rst quarter of 2010 in a bid fective precautions are implemented on time and Tekel, and has said the protests will slow production at
become more obvious with current promotions in- With regards to market predictions for 2010, to ease the burden on the market still inuenced at the right place. Drawing attention to numer- a time when the nation’s economy needs it the most.
troduced by auto dealers and producers. “We have Hyundai Assan CEO Ali Kibar, who also delivered by the aftereffects of the crisis, particularly ahead of ous promotions in the auto market, he said cus- Kudatgobilik, in a written statement yesterday,
never seen promotions and discounts introduced so a speech at the panel discussion, said the Turkish approaching general elections in 2011.” Thanks to tomers were somewhat attracted and that such a stated that Türk-’s protest -- a protest that will entail
often in the Turkish auto market.” auto industry could shrink by around 10 to 20 per- these anticipated measures, Kibar noted, the auto fact could help increase sales this month. “How- members of Türk- showing up to work late every Fri-
Underlining that similar tough competition is also cent in the coming year unless the government im- industry could be rejuvenated, albeit slightly. For ever, this may also mean that we could experi- day for four weeks in solidarity with the laid-off Tekel
seen in the global auto market, he said the Turkish gov- plements the necessary incentives to keep the sec- the end of 2010, Kibar expects around 5 percent ence a slowdown in sales in the coming two or workers -- was illegal, and said he was against such a
ernment should introduce further incentives to attract tor aoat. “I guess the government will offer a series growth in the Turkish economy provided that ef- three months,” he stated. stanbul Today’s Zaman move. Kudatgobilik added that this would lead to unre-
coverable production losses at a time when the economy
was struggling to bounce back from the economic crisis.
“I call workers who are currently struggling for their
rights to not be the inictors of injustice and ask them
to rethink their decisions regarding the protest at a time
when the economy is attempting to recover from the
economic crisis,” stated Kudatgobilik. Ankara Today’s Zaman
Daily Monthly Yearly YTD MCAP 1-Y Country Change Level
Close Change (%) Change (%) Change (%) Change (%) (million TL) Av.Volum (%)
İMKB-100 51.162 -0,7% 12,8% 94,6% 90,5% 293.167 1.607 Hang Seng H.Kong 1,12 21.328,7 66.90
İMKB-30
İMKB-IND
64.778
36.970
-0,8%
-0,2%
12,8%
10,0%
88,2%
96,5%
85,1%
86,9%
240.182
78.053
1.190
532
Nikkei 225
Cac 40
Japan
France
1,91
0,20
10.378,0
3.906,2
51.7
46.63
53.37 Fannie, Freddie
İMKB-BANK
DJIMT
115.008
10,85
-1,5%
-0,5%
15,2%
10,5%
105,5%
56,8%
105,4%
52,8%
138.664
-
712
0,45
DAX
FTSE 100
Germany
UK
0,06
0,61
5.949,5
5.361,2 25.7
9.5
33.10
execs’ salaries to
Dow USA -0,17 10.390,0 8.3
TurkDEX
US$/JP¥ 65,200 -0,42%
NASDAQ
S&P
USA
USA
0,13
-0,02
1.841,8
1.117,8 Native Foreign Native Foreign
be disclosed
EU€/JP¥ 1,524 -0,20% BOVESPA Brasil -0,55 67.049,1 Number of Shares M.cap Number of Shares M.cap Federal regulators plan to disclose Thursday that
AT A GL ANCE
CALENDAR the top executives of government-controlled mort-
pected gage nance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
No data ex Daily Monthly Yearly
Ticker Price (TL) Daily Change (%) Ticker Price Daily Change (%) Ticker Volumes Price (TL) Yearly Change (%)
Close Change (%) Change (%) Change (%) US$/JP¥ 91,36 each earned between $4 million and $6 million this year,
YKSGR 10,35 5,61% TEBNK 2,66 -7,64% TAVHL 82,3 4,7 83,83
TL / € 2,165 -0,3% EU/JP¥ 130,96 two people briefed on the matter said.
MERKO 1,41 5,22% GRUND 0,52 -7,14% ISCTR 76,4 6,2 70,33 TL / $ 1,519 0,0% EU/US$ 1,4332 The people, who declined to be identied be-
AKENR 14,50 3,57% FORTS 2,09 -3,69% GARAN 68,3 6,1 135,53
AFYON 1.700,00 3,03% ISAMB 1,88 -3,59% ISAMB 51,6 1,9 126,29
cause the announcement was not yet public, said
High Low
Wednesday that the pay packages were approved by
CCOLA 14,60 2,82% EGSER 0,93 -3,12% IHEVA 39,0 1,1 116,94 Price ($) Way Change (%)
Light C. Oil 74,36 1,2% 74,40 73,24 the Treasury Department and the Federal Housing
Gold 1080,50 -1,3% 1080,50 1080,50 Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie and Freddie.
Copper 315,30 1,0% 315,45 311,20
ÝMKB 100 ÝMKB 30 ÝMKB IND RETAILER BIMAS CARFA BOYNR KIPA A spokeswoman for the housing nance agency de-
Mcap TL -- -- -- 7.242,3 5.085 1.286 110 760 P/E: Share price divided by earnings per share is a measure of the price paid for a share relative to the clined comment Wednesday night.
P/E 2006/12 15,7x 14,9x 12,4x 263,7x 70,7x -95,2x 17,5x -20,4x income or profit earned by the firm per share.
P/E 2007/06t 11,3x 10,7x 9,4x 326,6x 63,0x -542,1x 6,8x -10,5x EV/EBITDA: Enterprise value divided by earnings before interest, tax and amortization; “t” stands for
Fannie and Freddie, which were seized by regulators in
P/E 2007/09t 10,8x 10,4x 9,3x 356,7x 56,1x -206,5x 5,7x -9,1x trailer and means the data over the last four quarters. September 2008, have needed $111 billion in taxpayer aid
(*) Yesterday's closing(**) Updated at 6 p.m. by GMT+2
EV/EBITDA 2006/12* 6,8x 5,3x 8,3x 31,8x 46,9x 16,0x 6,7x 41,5x to stay aoat. Salaries for executives at companies receiving
Disclaimer: The information in this report has been prepared by BMD, Bizim Securities from sources believed
EV/EBITDA 2007/06t* 7,5x 6,0x 8,2x 33,3x 43,7x 19,2x 6,1x 74,7x
to be reliable. All the information, interpretations and recommendations covered herein relating to taxpayer assistance have been a politically explosive issue,
EV/EBITDA 2007/09t* -1,5x 5,8x -0,7x 30,4x 41,4x 19,8x 5,3x 35,7x investment actions are not within the scope of investment consultancy. Therefore investment decisions
based only on the information covered herein may not bring expected results.
and the disclosure could provoke a new round of criticism
of the government’s numerous bailouts. Washington AP
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New Year’s Eve
The label for young men and women who love to reect
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For those who prefer pants to a dress, try one of the great
narrow cut blouses with rufes, in white, fuchsia or black.
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The perfect herbal
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
REUTERS, AP
PHOTOS
this new trend from the East. In
rich cultural legacies of the East
and Anatolia and whose clothes
began to be worn by the elegant
THE FACE OF
FASHION TURNS
TO THE EAST
REYHAN YAZICI*
The winds of fashion are blowing
in from the East these days. Midd-
le Eastern fashion designers, as
well as designers from countries such as
Malaysia, India and Japan, are starting to
inuence fashion capitals with designs
that reect their own beliefs.
The shifting centers of -
nancial power across the glo-
be are playing a large role in
all this. And actually, Europe-
an designers have also been
inuenced by these changes,
and have even seen the-
ir own “outfits that reflect Ellie Saab
the sensitivities of belief”
being shown on the catwalks.
After all, it is not for nothing
that a recent fashion show by
Dolce & Gabbana featured a
woman in a headscarf.
Up until now, the fashion
world has really taken its lead
from Europe. In fact, it has
really always been the style Zuhair Murad
embraced by European desig-
ners which has reigned over the textile mar-
kets as well. But the changing economic con-
ditions as well as the shifting of nancial po-
wer and capital has meant that the demands
of those with new capital are beginning to
be listened to as well. And it has nally
been discovered that actually, parts of the
East and Middle East, which have often
been viewed as being “backward,” actu-
ally possess some important resources.
East marks the spot
Of course, it was not expected that the fashi-
on world would not react to the shifting of po-
wer centers in the globe. It used to be that Eu-
ropean designers would combine their own in-
terpretations and life views with designs that
were inspired from the East, and then sell
these designs to the East for thousands of
dollars. But now many Muslim designers
such as Malaysia’s Tom Abang Saufi, are
A new classic from Flormar: ‘412’
Flormar has created yet another nail polish destined to be-
come a classic: its new “412.” Flormar’s 412 endows nails
with a glowing shiny pink look that perfects French ma-
nicures, making them appear flawless. This polish is qui-
te resistant to scratching and wearing away. Price: TL 1.75
Lebanese designers Elie Saab
and Zuhair Murad, who even
dress Hollywood stars, were
inuential in the rst stages of
their wake came a whole new
crop of designers whose
creations were inspired by the
women of the Middle East
declaring a loud “stop” to the designs that
come out of Europe, instead designing
creations that reflect their own beliefs.
These new winds sometimes blow out
of Malaysia, sometimes out of India, at times
from Japan, from Syria, from Lebanon... For
example, Lebanese designers Elie Saab and
Zuhair Murad, who even dress Hollywood
stars, were inuential in the rst
stages of this new trend from the
East. In their wake came a whole
new crop of designers whose crea-
tions were inspired by the rich cul-
tural legacies of the East and Ana-
tolia and whose clothes began to
be worn by the elegant women
of the Middle East. These are de-
signers who not only create ac-
cessories such as scarves, but also
evening gowns, long skirts, mo-
dern dress shirts, tunics and many,
many more types of outts.
Thus Muslim women, who
were paying hundreds of dol-
lars for outts they then tried to
cover up to make less revealing,
are now purchasing designs by
many of these new fashion na-
mes. And so women who wish to dress
with chic but in keeping with their beliefs
are able to buy and wear not what is dicta-
ted to them, but what they actually want.
Europe reconsidering
its fashion sense
This entire trend has had an effect on Eu-
ropean designers and has caused them to
start rethinking their own fashion sense.
And, of course, in the discussion of sen-
sitivity to beliefs, the subject concerns
not only Muslim women but devout Je-
wish and Christian women as well.
While chic scarves were shown in the
past season as accessories around the neck,
this season we are seeing scarves on heads.
What’s more, many important labels such as
Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Chanel and Armani
have begun to dedicate space to outts which
reect certain religious sensibilities in their
TODAY’S ZAMAN 09
collections. As I see it, some Turkish designers
are also reecting these leanings. You can see
it in designs by Yldrm Mayruk, Cemil Ipek-
çi, Hüseyin Çalayan, and others. And the
trend, which began by showing scarves on
heads and not just around necks, has conti-
nued with designs that show less esh, with
longer skirts and sleeves, and owing without
showing off all the curves of the body.
Interestingly, it has not just been the shift
in nancial power that has had an effect on
this trend; there is also the presence of women
such as Hayrünnisa Gül and Esma Assad on
the political stage that has been inuential on
the fashion world. You could say that the inc-
rease of Muslim women in the public eye has
corresponded to the demand for fashion de-
signs that reect people’s belief systems.
Muslim designers have managed to
brush off assertions that “really religi-
ous people should not be concerned
with fashion,” taking into considera-
tion in their designs the real need for
daily clothing. What is also interesting
is that these are clothes are selling to
many people, not just religious ones.
In the end, fashion is not only de-
ned by short skirts and open blouses.
The demands made on fashion are to
provide chic clothing that will contri-
bute to the identity of the person we-
aring it. The demands of those who
want to dress in a chic way but in ke-
eping with their religious beliefs
are changing. But in the end,
that factor we all call fashi-
on really has nothing to do
with the length of the skirt
but rather the style itself
of the skirt (or whate-
ver piece of clothing
you wish) that is
being bought
and worn.
*Reyhan
Yazc is a
fashion
designer.
 10 TODAY’S ZAMAN F R I D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 WORLD

China sentences five more to death for Xinjiang riot OFFENSIVE

Yemen: 30 killed in
massive raid on al-Qaeda
REUTERS

A Chinese court sentenced ve
more people to death for their part
in bloody ethnic rioting earlier this year
in Urumqi, the capital of far western
PHOTO
launched revenge attacks two days lat- with a two-year suspension, which is
er. At least 197 people died. usually commuted to a life sentence, and Backed by US intelligence, Yemeni forces struck a
“Altogether 22 defendants in ve jailed another eight for life, according to series of suspected al-Qaeda hideouts Thursday,
cases went on trial on Dec. 22 and Dec. a statement faxed by the spokeswoman. killing more than 30 militants in its stepped-up

Xinjiang region, a local government
spokeswoman said on Thursday.
The new trial, which was not re-
ported in national Chinese media,
brings the number of death sentences
for the rioting to at least 22, of which at
least nine have already been carried out.
Uighurs attacked Han Chinese in
Chinese security forces stand in position as they try to disperse protesters at the center Urumqi on July 5, after protests against
of Urumqi in China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region in this Sept. 4 file photo. China sen- Han attacks on Uighur workers in
tenced five more people to death for their part in bloody ethnic rioting earlier this year. South China a few weeks earlier. Han
23,” Hou Hanmin, director of the Xin-
jiang Government Information Ofce,
told Reuters by phone.
Hou would not specify the charges,
which she said were published in Xinji-
ang newspapers. The Internet has been
blocked in Xinjiang since July, and lo-
cal newspaper websites cannot be ac-
cessed from outside the region.
The intermediate court in Urumqi
sentenced another ve people to death
Judging from the names, the ten
sentenced to death or the suspended
death sentence are all be Uighurs, a
Muslim, Turkic-speaking people native
to Xinjiang. Many Uighurs resent an in-
ux of Han Chinese that has left them
accounting for only half the population
of their homeland. The statement said
the court was shown ample evidence in
the open trials, and that more similar
trials would follow. Beijing Reuters
campaign against the terror network, the gov-
ernment said. Yemen’s Supreme Security Com-
mittee said airstrikes in the eastern Shabwa prov-
ince targeted an al-Qaeda leadership meeting
that was organizing attacks. It said top al-Qaeda
ofcials were at the meeting, though it was un-
clear whether they were harmed. The Pentagon
recently conrmed it is has poured nearly $70
million in military aid to Yemen this year, a mas-
sive nancial infusion aimed at eliminating the
expanding al-Qaeda safe havens in that country.
A secretive US air strike last week was part of the
fast-growing campaign to better equip and fund
Yemeni forces. The increased spending com-
pares with no spending in 2008. Yemen’s deputy
defense minister, Rashad al-Alaimy, conrmed
that US and Saudi assistance had been key to
the latest strikes against al-Qaeda. Sanaa AP

Medvedev: Russa to work WEATHER

Snow, ice disrupt
Christmas getaway
on new nuclear mssles Snow, ice and freezing fog caused more disrup-
tion to the Christmas getaway on Thursday,
with ights grounded, trains delayed and drivers
warned of treacherous conditions on some roads.
The Russian president said the new missiles would be developed in full accordance with arms The Met Ofce issued weather warnings for large
agreements made with the US. In the meantime, Russia said it had successfully test-red an RS-20V inter- parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and
said roads in many areas would be icy. In London
continental ballistic missile as part of a wider attempt to extend the lifespan of its Soviet-era nuke arsenal and the southeast, heavy rain replaced the ice and
snow and forecasters said many parts of the coun-
try can expect showers or mist before conditions

AP
Russia will work on a new generation of nuclear red from the Orenburg region, more than 6,500 kilo- ease for Christmas Day. Cross-Channel rail op-
missiles to ensure its nuclear deterrent remains meters (4,000 miles) away, a spokesman for the Stra- erator Eurostar said it would run a special shuttle

effective, President Dmitry Medvedev said on
Thursday. Medvedev said the new missiles would be de-
veloped in full accordance with arms agreements made
with the United States. “Of course, we will develop new
systems, including delivery systems, that is, missiles,”
Medvedev said in an end-of-year interview with state-
controlled television channels.
“This process will be continued, and our nuclear
shield will always be efcient and sufcient to protect our
national interests,” Medvedev said. The Kremlin chief said
Russia and the United States were close to a new deal on
reducing vast Cold War arsenals of nuclear weapons, add-
ing that he had “trustworthy relations” with US President
Barack Obama.Earlier on Thursday, Russia said it had
successfully test-red an RS-20V intercontinental ballistic
missile as part of a wider attempt to extend the lifespan of
its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal.
“The launch was carried out as part of experimental
construction work aimed at conrming the ight charac-
teristics of the RS-20V missile and to extend its life span to
23 years,” Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces said in a state-
ment. The 22-ton RS-20V missile hit a target on the Ka-
mchatka peninsular on Russia’s Pacic coast after being
AP, DMITRY ASTAKHOV
PHOTO
tegic Missile Forces said. The missile, which can pierce service to clear the backlog of passengers waiting
missile defence systems and is known in the West as to travel after a three-day stoppage. It hoped to
the SS-18 “Satan,” was seen by the United States as run 18 trains from St. Pancras station in London,
one of the Soviet Union’s most dangerous “rst strike” each carrying up to 750 passengers. That is about
nuclear weapons. The 34-meter (112 ft) missile has a two-thirds of its typical service. “The queues are
range of 16,000 kilometers (9,940 miles) and can carry moving really fast and everyone’s getting onto
at least 10 nuclear warheads. Russia, which is trying to trains quickly,” a Eurostar spokesman said.
build several new types of missiles, says extending the “Customers should still arrive at the station
life of its Soviet-era missiles is a cost-effective way to one hour before their original departure time.”
preserve nuclear parity with the United States. The cold weather caused Eurostar trains to
The RS-20V missile, known in Russia as the Voyevoda, break down over the weekend. London Reuters/AP
was initially intended to be used for 15 years but Russia
has kept the missiles deployed. “The extension of the SCANDAL
lifespan of the Voyevoda to 25 years will allow us to
extend its service by 10 years,” the Strategic Missile Japanese PM hangs
Forces said, adding that the missile red on Thursday
had been in Russia’s arsenal for more than 21 years. on after aides charged
Earlier this year, the commander of the missile forces Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said
was quoted by Russian media as saying Russia wanted on Thursday he would not resign after two for-
to keep the RS-20V in service until 2019. Russia and mer close aides were charged over falsied po-
the United States are working on a new treaty to cut litical funding records. Polls show a majority
vast Cold War arsenals of nuclear weapons and say a of voters agree he should stay in ofce, but the
deal could be reached next year. Moscow Reuters/AP indictments threaten to erode support for a gov-
ernment marking 100 days in ofce and facing

key decisions on next year’s budget and relo-

cating a US airbase. “I feel a renewed sense of
responsibility to fulll my duties as a politician,”
Hatoyama said in a statement he read out at a
hastily called news conference, during which he
apologized to the nation. A sharp slide in voter
approval could endanger the premier’s grip
on his post ahead of an upper house election
in mid-2010. His Democratic Party is seeking
PHOTO

an outright majority to reduce the clout of two

tiny coalition partners. Polls show voters are
unhappy with Hatoyama’s explanation of the
misreported donations. Media have repeatedly
shown footage of Hatoyama, while in opposi-
tion, insisting that politicians are responsible for
any wrongdoing by their secretaries. Tokyo Reuters

RESISTANCE
Anew intercontinental ballistic missile, called the RS-24, is launched at Plesetsk,
northwestern Russia, in this May 29, 2007 file photo. Russia said on Thursday it has
Hamas armed wing
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is seen in front of a transporter with mobile version of a Topol intercontinental
ballistic missile before its launch from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia, in this Oct. 12, 2008 file photo.
successfully test-fired an RS-20V intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a wider
attempt to extend the lifespan of its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal.
says ready for new fight
As an Israeli drone ew overhead, a masked
Hamas spokesman said the group would not
shirk from battle with Israel, which carried out
a powerful Gaza offensive a year ago. “We do
not wish for war. We wish for calm and peace
for our people,” Abu Ubaida, spokesman for
Iran jails leading reformer Abdullah WHO says world H1N1 death toll Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qas-
sam Brigades, said late on Wednesday from the

Ramezanzadeh for six years, report says
A reformist former government spokesman
detained after Iran’s disputed election in June
has been sentenced to six years in jail, the semi-of-
cial Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
It said Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, who
backed opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi
in the vote, was sentenced by a court on charg-
es including acting against national security,
propaganda against the Islamic system and
possessing classied documents.
The report of his jail sentence coincides with
mounting tension in Iran after the death of a lead-
ing dissident ayatollah and opposition reports of
clashes between the cleric’s supporters and security
forces in the city of Isfahan on Wednesday.
Ramezanzadeh, who held his post during
the 1997-2005 presidency of reformer Mo-
hammad Khatami, was among scores of senior
pro-reform gures and activists detained after
the poll on accusations of fomenting post-
election unrest. ”Based on the court’s decision
Ramezanzadeh was given a six-year obligatory
jail sentence,” Fars quoted a Revolutionary
court statement as saying. It did not say when
the verdict was issued. Revolutionary courts
usually handle security cases.
Last month, Iranian media said reformist for-
mer vice president Mohammad Ali Abtahi was also
sentenced to six years in jail. He was later released
on bail of $700,000 pending appeal. Tehran Reuters/AP
now at least 11,516 around the globe
At least 11,516 people around the globe
have died from the H1N1 u virus since the
pandemic emerged in April, the World Health
Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday.
But in its weekly update, which showed
an increase in ofcially reported deaths of
nearly 1,000 since its last report, it said the
disease appeared to have peaked or plateaued
in Western Europe and North America while
transmission was declining in parts of Asia.
In the United States and Canada, the vi-
rus remained geographically widespread but
overall levels of u-like illnesses had declined
substantially and hospitalizations and deaths
were dropping, the WHO said.
In Europe, active transmission of the virus
was still widespread across the continent but
in a majority of countries its activity appeared
to have peaked -- although it was increasing
in central and eastern parts of the continent.
In an earlier report on Tuesday, the Unit-
ed Nations agency said the pandemic re-
mained moderate but continued to infect and
sometimes kill much younger people than
traditional seasonal u.
But although it gives gures of conrmed
deaths from H1N1, sometimes known as swine
u, ofcials at the WHO say comparing mortal-
ity numbers from the two types of u is com-
plicated and can be misleading. Geneva Reuters
cover of an orchard in the Gaza Strip. “But if
any battle is imposed on us, we are ready with
all our manpower and equipment to confront
any Zionist war, any crime and any attack re-
gardless of scale.” Israel has said the brigades,
which some observers estimate have 25,000
ghters, have been seeking with Syrian and
Iranian help to upgrade their rocket capabili-
ties and put the Israeli heartland and the com-
mercial capital of Tel Aviv within range. Abu
Ubaida, who moved with armed guards to dif-
ferent parts of the orchard during the interview
to stay out of sight of the drone, said Hamas
had no choice but to improve its arsenal. “The
enemy is developing its weapons and is us-
ing internationally banned weapons against
us,” he said, without giving details. Gaza Reuters

CMYK
 WORLD F R I D A Y, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 TODAY’S ZAMAN 11

Muslms must not CAIR asks

AP, MANNUL BALCE CENETA

pay prce for Europe’s Obama to
dentty crss address rise in
OPINION anti-Islam hate
Ramzy Baroud The Council on American-Islamic Relations

PHOTO
TODAY’S ZAMAN (CAIR) has called on US President Barack
Obama to address what it called an “alarming
level of anti-Islam hate in our nation.”
It seems that the targeting of Muslims and Islam has become a In a letter to Obama, CAIR cited recent inci-
kind of national theater in France. Unlike theater, however, the dents in Florida in which a cross with the mes-
disturbing trend can, and will, turn ugly -- in fact to a degree it sage “Christian nation, Christian community”
already has -- if the French government doesn’t get a grip on real- was planted at the site of a planned mosque
ity. The world, including France, is a complex, multifaceted and and an anti-Islam Christmas display was set up
fascinatingly diverse place; it cannot be co-opted to t national by a local church.
specicities determined by a group of irritable far-right racists with Other incidents cited by the Washington-
a distorted interpretation of themselves and others. based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organi-
Unfortunately, France is not alone; it merely highlights the most zation included: anti-Islam brochures distributed
obvious manifestation of growing anti-Muslim sentiments through- in the parking lot of a Washington state Islamic
out Europe. Unearthing the reasons behind the disturbing phenom- school, hate-lled iers posted in a Minnesota
ena is hardly an easy task, for it arguably requires a greater exami- Somali community, an attack on a Sikh youth
nation of the political, economic and social woes of European states in Texas who was mistaken for a Muslim, the
than it does of the “shortcomings” of Islam. painting of “Go Home Sand N**ger” on an Ida-
Islam is a great religion in many respects; it has endured for over ho Muslim’s truck, the harassment of a Muslim
1,400 years. Its membership is never conned by skin color, culture, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (C) answers questions outside the Senate chambers on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday bank customer in Illinois because of her Islamic
political ideology or geographic boundaries. Its views of antiquity, on after the Senate passed the healthcare reform bill. The vote clears the way for tough negotiations with the House of Representatives. headscarf, an attack on another Illinois Muslim
equality, women’s rights and peace are considered progressive even by after the Fort Hood shootings, a call by far-right
today’s standards. The detractors of Islam fail to see all this. If Islam is members of the US House of Representatives
dissected politically or “academically,” the investigation is done for the to investigate Muslim interns on Capitol Hill as
sake of destroying its repute and discrediting or humiliating its followers.
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) may claim that their commit-
ment is to keep Switzerland secular, devoid of symbols of oppres-
sion (as in a mosque’s minaret), but this only sounds like incoher-
US Senate approves “spies,” the ethic intimidation of an Ohio Mus-
lim who found a noose and a toy camel on his
door, a Colorado sheriff who called the US
Marines “Travel agents to Allah,” the failure
ent blabber and reects nothing but a growing tendency towards of Virginia’s governor-elect to repudiate anti-
racism, intolerance and ethnocentrism. These trends are glaring
violations of the liberal philosophies associated with European
countries, which guarantee individual and collective rights, includ-
ing those of self-expression and freedom of speech.
healthcare overhaul Islam statements by one of his top support-
ers, a defaced Quran that was left at a Michi-
gan mosque, a spate of vandalism incidents at
mosques nationwide, anti-Islam remarks by
In France, the phenomenon is protracted and more dangerous. On a party-line 60-39 vote, Senate Democrats supported Christian evangelist Franklin Graham, and the
Considering that France is the home of 5 million French Muslims, right-
wing tendencies threaten future discord in the country. The Washing-
the most dramatic shifts in health policy in four decades. use of anti-Islam rhetoric in the platform of a
Minnesota congressional candidate
ton Post reported on Dec. 19 that the Bilal Mosque, in the tranquil The vote followed months of political wrangling A recent poll also showed that two-thirds of
French town of Castres, was desecrated by unknown assailants. “Two protestant pastors consider Islam “dangerous.”
pig’s ears and a poster of the French ag stapled to the door; a pig’s

AP, JASON REED

The US Senate approved Presi- “President Obama is in the best position to
snout dangled from the doorknob. ‘White power’ and ‘Sieg heil’ were dent Barack Obama’s healthcare address the alarming level of anti-Islam hate in
spray-painted on one side…and ‘France for the French’ on the other.” overhaul on Thursday, backing our nation and to urge religious and political
Here, one must recall the alarming words of Britain’s rst Muslim sweeping changes in the medical insur- leaders to speak out in support of tolerance and
minister, Shahid Malik. Himself a victim of hate crimes, Malik lament- ance market and new coverage for tens of mutual understanding,” said CAIR National Ex-
ed a year and a half ago that many Muslims feel targeted like the “Jews millions of uninsured Americans. ecutive Director Nihad Awad.
of Europe” and that many British Muslims feel like “aliens in their own

PHOTO
On a party-line 60-39 vote, Senate He added that President Obama himself has
country.” While many Muslims share the same feeling of nationalism Democrats supported the most dramatic been targeted by anti-Muslim hate despite the
and patriotism in their homelands in Europe, right-wing racists -- who shifts in health policy in four decades. The fact that he is Christian. A Colorado car dealer
are unfortunately becoming a dominant force in shaping public views early-morning Christmas Eve vote fol- recently put up a billboard depicting the presi-
in various European states -- insist on a very narrow denition of what lowed months of political wrangling that dent as a turban-wearing militant.
makes a Frenchman, a Briton, a German or a Swiss. consumed the US Congress and put a Awad acknowledged recent remarks to a
There is indeed an identity crisis that is real and frightening. And dent in Obama’s public approval rat- Muslim and Arab-American gathering in Michi-
it’s one that is not engulng Europe alone, but also affects and in some ings. “This is a victory for the American gan by US Attorney General Eric Holder in which
In this three photo combo, US President Barack Obama speaks to a joint session
instances has devastated many cultures all over the world. While it is people,” Senate Democratic leader Harry of Congress on healthcare at the US capitol in Washington. he said the US Department of Justice will return
a byproduct of misguided and unchecked globalization, in the case of Reid told reporters afterward. to its “traditional” role of ensuring civil rights.
Europe itself the issue is very national and very personal. The Euro- The vote clears the way for tough working around the clock for four weeks, uninsured can compare and shop for plans. The president also signed a spending measure
pean Union, which started as a purely economic body, has morphed negotiations in January with the House mistakenly voted “no” when his name was Major provisions such as the exchang- that will give the Justice Department’s civil rights
into a political and pan-nationalist organization that is attempting, by of Representatives, which approved its rst called before voting for the bill, prompt- es would not kick in until 2014 but many division 102 new staff members, many of whom
accident or design, to dene a united Europe and a prototypical Eu- own version on Nov. 7 that features dif- ing a roar of laughter in the chamber. of the insurance reforms like barring com- will be assigned to hate-crimes investigations.
ropean. This has raised fears of the loss of national identities or what- ferent approaches on taxes, abortion and “This is for my friend Ted Kennedy,” panies from dropping coverage for the sick A new CAIR public service announcement
ever remains of it. Expectedly, it is the politically underrepresented, a proposed new government-run insur- 92-year-old Democratic Senator Robert will begin in the rst year. Republican crit- (PSA), called “I am Muslim, I am American,” be-
socially marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups that ance program. Once House-Senate nego- Byrd said as he voted “yes.” Kennedy, who ics say the bill is an expensive and heavy- gan airing yesterday on the CBS Super Screen in
often pay the price of this sort of national resurgence. tiators agree on a single bill, each chamber championed healthcare reform during his handed intrusion in the healthcare sector New York City’s Times Square.
Targeting Muslims is a common denominator that now uni- must approve it again before sending it to long Senate career, died in August of brain that will drive up costs, increase the budget The PSA, produced by CAIR’s New York
es a great proportion of European political elites and media. The Obama to sign into law. Democrats hope cancer. The overhaul, Obama’s top legis- decit and reduce patients’ choices. chapter, features an American Muslim NYPD
reasons are numerous and obvious. Some European countries to nish work before Obama’s State of the lative priority, would lead to the biggest The nonpartisan Congressional Bud- sergeant as well as a Muslim Little League all-
are at war (which they have chosen) in various Muslim countries; Union address in late January. changes in the $2.5 trillion US healthcare get Ofce estimated the Senate bill will star, a human rights activist, a doctoral candidate
desperate and failed politicians are in need for constant distrac- “This ght is long from over,” Repub- system since the 1965 creation of the gov- cut the federal decit by $132 billion over and an attorney. It begins with the statement,
tions from their own failures and mishaps; associating Islam with lican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said. ernment-run Medicare health program for 10 years but critics argue the expected rev- “Building Community, Serving Country.”
terrorism is more than an acceptable intellectual diatribe, a topic “My colleagues and I will work to stop this the elderly and disabled. enue increases and cost savings may never On Dec. 3, CAIR released its annual national
of discussion that has occupied more radio and television airtime bill from becoming law.” The Christmas materialize. Passage of the bill was critical report on the status of American Muslim civil
than any other; also, pushing Muslims around seems to have few Eve Senate session -- the rst since 1895 94 percent coverage for Obama, whose political standing and rights. That report, titled “Seeking Full Inclu-
political repercussions -- unlike the subjugation or targeting of -- fullled a pledge by Senate Democratic The bill would extend health coverage to more legislative agenda could hinge on its suc- sion,” showed an increase in the number of bias-
other groups with political or economic clout. leader Harry Reid to pass the bill before than 30 million uninsured, covering 94 per- cess. Obama’s public approval ratings have related incidents in 2008.
But is there more to this? A 2007-08 Gallup poll asked the fol- Christmas. Republican opponents delayed cent of all Americans, and halt industry prac- dipped to about 50 percent in many polls CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil
lowing question: Does religion occupy an important place in your life? the nal vote to the last day possible under tices such as refusing insurance to people with as the acrimonious debate has dragged on. liberties and advocacy organization. Its mis-
The vast majority in Western European countries answered with a re- Senate rules, but agreed to an early-morn- pre-existing medical conditions. It also would Vice President Joe Biden, a former sion is to enhance the understanding of Is-
sounding “no.” Only 9 percent of Turkish citizens -- a country with a ing vote to let people head home. require most Americans to have insurance, senator, presided over the vote and was to lam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liber-
Muslim majority -- shared the popular view. Most European Muslims Senators called out their votes from their give subsidies to help some pay for coverage join Obama at the White House afterward ties, empower American Muslims and build
strongly identify with their religion, which has preserved their sense of desk in a formal roll-call. Reid, who had been and create state-based exchanges where the for a victory statement.Washington Reuters/AP coalitions that promote justice and mutual
community and helped maintain a degree of cultural cohesion and a understanding. Washington, D.C. Today’s Zaman
semblance of collective identity at a time when many in Europe are los-
ing theirs. Muslims must not be blamed for this loss, nor should they
be punished, derided or targeted for daring to hold onto their beliefs.
Returning again to France, what is most alarming about the anti-
Muslim measures is that they are largely led by the government itself,
rather than a fanatical group of disenchanted ideologues. Eric Besson,
the country’s immigration minister, stated on Dec. 16 that Muslim Woman arrested in Hawaii for threat to US first lady Michelle Obama
veils will be grounds of denying citizenships and long-term resi-
US authorities arrested and charged poned a detention hearing for Roshia had been to the location where the presi-
dence. Besson was only echoing the disquieting policies of conserva-
a woman in Hawaii last week for until a mental competency exam is con- dential family would be staying and was
tive President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has started a “national identity
allegedly threatening to kill President ducted and she will remain in custody un- working at the golf course at the Marine
campaign” for ensuring an exclusive identity of France -- one that is
Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, days be- til then, according to court records. base, a Secret Service afdavit said.
occupied with the targeting of immigrants, particularly Muslims.
fore the Obamas were due to arrive in The threat was originally made on After Roshia was placed under arrest,
Sarkozy, Besson and Europe’s right-wing and far-right politicians
the state for the Christmas holiday. Nov. 10 during a telephone call to the she assaulted the Secret Service agent and
must understand the possible ramications if they continue to press
Kristy Lee Roshia was arrested on Secret Service ofce in Boston and she claimed she would “blow away the whole
on with their reckless and alienating policies. Radicalization is an
Dec. 19 in Kaneohe, Hawaii, by the US also threatened to kill a Secret Service Oval Ofce,” the afdavit said.
unavoidable offshoot of group alienation, which is sadly being used
Secret Service after determining she had agent and Marines during the conversa- Roshia began contacting the Secret
to further fuel the anti-immigrant fervor throughout the continent.
made the threat and had information tion, the documents said. Service in 2004 and from 2007 made
It is a vicious cycle, the blame for which lies squarely with the savvy
about where the Obama family would Agents determined that Roshia was numerous angry calls to the Boston
politicians and their obvious agendas. As for those who insist on
be staying during their visit, according to living near a Marine Corps base in Ha- office, sometimes five to 10 times a
blaming Islam for Europe’s woes, they should really nd another
court documents led this week. waii based on correspondence she had day, the affidavit said.
pastime; the self-indulgent game is too hazardous and must stop.
She was charged with making the sent to the Boston ofce that arrived The Obama family was expected to
threat against the first lady and as- the previous day. leave for Honolulu, Hawaii on Thursday
*Ramzy Baroud (www.ramzybaroud.net) is an internationally syn-
saulting a Secret Service agent after During an interview with agents on after the US Senate voted on his top legis-
dicated columnist and the editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His lat-
Michelle Obama speaks during an afternoon tea in the East she was arrested. Dec. 19, Roshia said she had gone to Ha- lative priority, overhauling the US health-
est book is “My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza’s Untold Story”
Room of the White House held to celebrate women in the military. A federal judge on Wednesday post- waii in September to “protect Obama,” care system. Washington Reuters
(Pluto Press, London), now available on Amazon.com.

CMYK
 12 TODAY’S ZAMAN F R I D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 EXPAT ZONE

Lfe just sn’t far

An increasing number of people around the world are slipping from the
middle class. Signs of the times were detected a few years ago, but many
denied it was a trend. In retrospect, maybe the writing was on the wall.
It’s human nature to compare one’s lot in life with another per-
son’s, especially nowadays when situations can change overnight.
I came across an interesting article in Time Magazine dat-
ed Nov. 03, 1986 -- just over two decades ago -- by Stephen
Koepp, Gisela Bolte and Jon D. Hull, who explored the idea
of the shrinking middle class. At least one economist thought
this was folly and that Middle America is essentially a state of
mind. Dening what denes a middle-class person, Lawrence
Lindsey, assistant professor of economics at Harvard, said:
“A middle-class person is someone who expects to be self-re-
liant, unlike the upper class with its unearned wealth or the lower
class with its dependency on society. Far from declining, the mid-
dle class is bigger than ever, and its ethic is alive and well.”
Not forgotten, the problem in America was identied again
back in an article by Lynnley Browning published in The New
York Times based on a study on the US income gap widening. It’s
hard to imagine that: “The gap between rich and poor more than
doubled from 1979 to 2000, an analysis of government data shows.
CULTURAL CORNER
CHARLOTTE
McPHERSON
The gulf is such that the richest 1 percent of Americans in 2000 had
more money to spend after taxes than the bottom 40 percent.”
Since the global economic crisis, probably the greatest eco-
nomic disparity between rich and poor has occurred. There has
been much talk lately about the state of the middle class, the inse-
curity of workers and the low wages in America. American visitors
often ask me how it has affected Turks and the economy here.
Whereas in the states millions of people have lost their middle-class
jobs in aging industries like the auto sector and steel sector and have
been plunged into minimum-wage jobs at fast-food chains ipping
hamburgers, in Turkey, unemployment has continued to increase.
For young Turkish university students going to college and nd-
ing a good job no longer guarantees economic safety. The same is
true in US. But it’s not just Americans who live paycheck to paycheck,
watching as their debts pile up and worrying about a bad health diag-
nosis that could nish a person off -- nancially. So are Turks.
Certainly Turkish industries such as the auto sector and textiles
have been hit hard.
Whose fault is it?
Who has created this injustice?
Rightly or wrongly, many are feeling sorry for themselves and are
unable to nd work and struggle to make ends meet.
It has become more and more obvious as societies become more
polarized. Those who “have” and those who “don’t have” are increas-
ing and the in-between are decreasing in number. This doesn’t just
describe the state of the United States but the state of many nations.
Rather than breaking down the barriers that divide people, they
seem to be increasing. Violence and addiction are on the rise.
It’s true that life deals each of us a different hand. Are
some people luckier than others?
There is truth in that even people who have suffered a great loss or tragedy can
be happy and even people who have fame, wealth and privilege can be miserable.
Talking about America without a middle class earlier this month,
Elizabeth Warren, chairwoman of the Congressional Oversight Pan-
el, created to oversee the banking bailouts, paints a bleak picture of
America. It probably depicts many other nations as well. Warren says
today’s families have spent all their income, have spent all their savings
and have gone into debt to pay for college, to cover serious medical
problems and just to stay aoat a little while longer.
These days every nation is affected to some degree by the state of
the world economy. A famous quote by Swiss writer Henri Frederic
Amiel goes something like this: “The test of every religious, political or
educational system is the man that it forms.”
Everyone may not have the opportunity to change their nancial
situation, but a person has the power to change his or her attitude
about the world. A person’s attitude about the world is his or her great-
est asset. It is important to just surrender to the fact that life isn’t fair.
“Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by si-
lence.” -- Henri Frederic Amiel
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep
your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you,
Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com

[ THE OLD GROANER ]

REUTERS, OSMAN ORSAL

Stopping by a place of worship

for even a few minutes during
the holiday season can help you
Fast Freddy meets Elvs
feel more centered and relaxed.
JOHN LAUGHLAND FETHYE

There is a tendency among the young men of our village and the
nearest town, especially those involved with tourism, to adopt Eu-
ropean names. The names chosen are often allocated by silly tourist
PHOTOS

women. So it is that we have a Rambo and an Elvis.

I need hardly say that our Elvis, whilst being unable to sing a note, had a ne
head of long black hair and Rambo is a big muscular chap. I’m guessing that the
tourists who allocated those particular names did so within their rst holiday week
in Turkey, therefore, before having learnt that the vast majority of Turkish men
have dense black hair and many are better built than the average English wimp or
overfed German. Frau and I, between ourselves, use the name Cesar Romero for
one of our village elders who is blessed with a wonderful head of wavy silver hair.
There was one local chap whom the girls had nicknamed Billy Joel,
and the local press quite seriously reported that the famous singer,
composer and pianist was staying, rather improbably, in the nearby
tourist town. The article was accompanied by a photograph of the chap
in the company of an equally improbable girlfriend.
We have met other young men with more common European names and
we seldom enquire as to the origin, perhaps the names just sound good to Turk-
ish ears. As far as we know Fast Freddy was not named for a singer, lm star or
sports hero. I have devoted a few moments to listing a few famous Freddys but
most are pretty obscure and our protagonist resembles not a one. I think I have
a handle on the “Fast” part. He is an accomplished womanizer, and I’m suppos-
ing that he very quickly succeeds in his conquests, that despite looks and phy-
sique which fall far short of Elvis or Rambo. That’s ne with me, I favor smooth
patter to good looks myself, being not well blessed with the latter.
Before I relay to you a cracking good story about Freddy I must tell you
that Elvis was so named about 25 years ago when he was 20ish and the
name was not unreasonable. However, we now have a fat balding man
waddling around town whilst the likes of mein Frau are singing sotto voce

BEATING THE HOLIDAY BLUES

If you miss the closeness of family and friends during the holidays, plan
get togethers with other friends who are also missing out on celebrations in
their own homelands. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to go out with friends
KATHY HAMILTON STANBUL
For many people, the holidays can bring on a
feeling of homesickness and often even depres-
sion. Being separated from family and friends
can be difcult, especially when living in a country where
holidays that are important in one’s homeland are not ob-
served in the same way, if at all. Even though Christmas-
related holiday decorations have found their way into
many parts of Turkish life, for many people, the holidays
they miss slip by relatively unnoticed here. If you are al-
ready missing family that is far away, the absence of fa-
miliar things, from church bells to decorations and gifts,
can make it easy to slip into seasonal depression.
However, the good news is that if you do have a case
of the holiday blues, there are some ways that you can
try to beat the blues as the holidays approach. First of all,
be realistic. There are some things you can change about
your situation, but there are things that you have no inu-
ence over. Take a step back, reassess your situation and
nd out what you can do to make some positive changes
in your life, especially concerning the holidays.
If you miss the closeness of family and friends dur-
ing the holidays, plan get-togethers with other friends
who may also be missing out on celebrations in their own
homelands. Don’t feel as if you have to spend a lot of
money to go out with friends. If you, like many other peo-
ple suffering the effects of the global economic crunch, are
short of cash, have a group of friends over for a potluck
party where everyone brings something to eat. Likewise,
it is not necessary for you to spend a fortune on gifts.
Small tokens of affection are often much more meaning-
ful than large expensive presents. Work with what you
“You ain’t nuttin’ but a hound-dog” as they pass him in the street.
Back to Freddy. His conquests of the fair sex were more often than not for
reasons common to men worldwide; he was not usually in pursuit of a passport
to Europe or a sponsor for his latest business venture. No, no, a cuddly com-
panion was his (perfectly legitimate) goal -- usually!
But then along came a Dutch woman who we shall call Sonja. Sonja was
probably 30 or so years Freddy’s senior and was no oil painting by any stretch
and churches welcome people of all faiths, as long as they of the imagination. Oh, she was painted alright, plastered rst and then lavishly
show respect. Next time you’re feeling stressed or a little painted. The decoration did nothing to improve her appearance, however. Plain
she was not; she was many degrees less than plain. Picture Carl Malden after he
down, it may help to stop by a local place of worship to
was severely beaten in that lm back in the ’60s. Now picture him had he played
simply sit and soak up some of the atmosphere. You may
exit feeling a sense of rejuvenation. the part when he was 80 or so. The lady Sonja, however, had one redeeming
Taking care of yourself is key to lifting your spirits. attraction -- she was quite rich. Freddy succumbed to temptation and began a
have and what you can reasonably afford. Try to rein in It’s important to eat well, drink plenty of water and ex- courtship. It was a stormy affair further complicated by Freddy’s weakness for
your spending so that after the holidays you do not have ercise at least a little bit every day. Even a short walk alcohol, a weakness which seemed to become worse after his meeting Sonja.
large credit card debts to worry about paying off. Try through a local park can help boost your spirits. Re- As far as I can remember, the affair went on for several years and apparently
to keep to a realistic budget for gifts and entertaining. ducing the amount of jjunk food in your diet can also during that time Freddy relieved the lady of a considerable amount of money.
Adapt your celebration to t your nancial situ- help beat the blues. Having a more balanced diet Eventually things came to a head and a disillusioned Sonja initiated court pro-
ation and your timeframe. This will help you avoid will help your ove overall health and your spirits. In ceedings against Fast Freddy, alleging fraud or embezzlement or something
adding additional stress to what can already be a addition, sleep is vital to feeling your best. Stud- similar. Now we all know how long Turkish courts can take to resolve even the
stressful time of year. Instead
ad of reproducing ies have shown that there is a denite link be- most straightforward case. This was to be no different; so, to allow the passing of
an old-fashioned holiday fromrom your child- tween a lack o of sleep and depression. considerable time, let us leave them for now and look at another couple of people.
hood, take the time to createe new traditions If you are suffering from a simple case of Paddy O’Turko was named thus simply because he is one of those
that t better with your current
urrent lifestyle the holiday b blues, these quick tips may help very few Turks with natural red hair. That’s ne; he’s a good sort and
and where you live. Use what hat is available ease some o of the symptoms. For some peo- used his adopted name as an aid to building a very successful tourist
instead of longing for food or decorations ple, sadness during the holiday season is a business. His girlfriend is German, and I daresay his accent puzzles the
that are unavailable here. occurrence, and they just need a little
yearly occur Germans he is introduced to when he visits that country.
One thing that can often
en help you help to get out of the doldrums. Rather strangely we have two chaps in the vicinity calling them-
forget about your own case of the blues Other people, however, suffer from
Othe selves JJ. Off the top of my head I can only come up with three JJs in
for a while is to reach out to
o others in full-blown depression that is heightened
full-blow the Western world: JJ Cale, J.J. Abrams and of course, JJ Moon. I can’t
need. If you are feeling lonely,
nely, invite during the holiday season. Experts say imagine how our chaps might have been named for one of those three
friends over or meet for a meal with that if you experience a period of two (though there are pubs in the UK named after Mr. Moon).
others who are far away from rom their weeks or more where you feel very de- We once met a Turkish Luke, a name probably borrowed from the Steve
homelands. Likewise, if you u know pressed, have crying spells, problems
pressed McQueen character in the prison movie. I wonder if he ever found out that he
someone who is going throughough a sleeping or concentrating, feelings of
sleepin was using a Christian name? Would he care?
rough time or struggling, lend guilt or thoughts of death or suicide, Back now to the courthouse. The nal day of the case and the verdict is due.
them a helping hand or even en a then you should seek medical During the course of the hearing, in order to establish the seriousness of the affair
friendly shoulder to cry on. By care. These are all symptoms of
care between Freddy and Sonja, it was admitted that the two had been living as hus-
helping others you can often ten potentially severe depression, and
pot band and wife for many months of every year. Of course they had shared a bed.
lift your own spirits. it is iimportant for you or someone So it was that the judge eventually suggested to Freddy that perhaps he
Sometimes simply stop- p- you love who has these symptoms had only slept with Sonja in order to gain access to her money. After a pause for
ping by a place of worship p to get professional treatment im- consideration Freddy replied, “Well, of course, Your Honor; just look at her!”
for even a few minutes can mediately. This may not just be
m The judge did indeed look and quietly murmured something along the lines of
help you feel more cen- the holiday blues that you are “Hmm, yes; I see your point.” Most attendees at the court suppressed sniggers,
tered and relaxed. Most suffering from, but some- but several were reprimanded by an ofcial for their brief applause.
mosques, synagogues thing much more serious. The story would have ended better had Freddy won the case with that clos-
ing argument, but I will not tarnish Turkish justice for the sake of a chuckle.
Sonja won the case and returned to Holland a satised and revenged woman.

NOTE: Today’s Zaman intends to provide a lively forum for expatriates living in Turkey. We encourage you to contact us at voice@todayszaman.com and share your experiences, questions and problems in all walks of life for publication in Today’s Zaman.
 CULTURE&ARTS
New exhibition at Siemens Art Gallery
explores ‘melancholy of compassion’
RUMEYSA KIGER STANBUL
A new exhibition featuring 85 works
of art by contemporary artists Müge
Akçakoca, Audrey Bakx, Burak Be-
denlier, Petrit Halilaj and ükran Mertcan,
delving into the concept of the “melancholy
of compassion,” is currently on display at the
Siemens Art Gallery in stanbul.
“‘Melancholy of compassion’ is a contempo-
rary issue in content. It focuses on the fact that
we build our existence on an ‘ethics of indiffe-
rence’ and delves into the conict we create in
our social and corporeal realm,” explains Mürte-
za Fidan, one of the curators of the show.
“Dr. Henri De Mondeville denes the ‘me-
lancholy of compassion’ as the compassion re-
action among the organs of the body that appe-
ar to rally to support each other when faced with
trauma. Just as this happens within a body, the
same reaction may be developed between bodi-
es. A mechanism of compassion would be built
in a way that gives moral responsibilities to indi-
viduals. Loving another person is related to see-
ing another person, being sad for someone else
is a melancholic feeling and the inner sadness
felt while loving someone reects a melancholy
that stems from honorable thinking,” he elabo-
rates in an interview with Today’s Zaman.
Jacky Terrasson
Pianists to dominate
Ankara jazz fest bill
The 13th edition of the Ankara Interna-
tional Jazz Festival will bring piano gre-
ats from around the world to the Turkish ca-
pital, the event’s organizers announced on
Wednesday.
French-American jazz pianist Jacky Ter-
rasson, known worldwide for his master-
ful improvisation, will perform at two speci-
al gigs in January, opening the 2010 edition of
the festival, scheduled for Feb. 4-20.
Terrasson, winner of the Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Piano Competition
and two-time Grammy nominee, will take the
stage at a special invitation-only press event
on Jan. 15 at the French Embassy in Ankara,
one of the sponsors of the festival, the An-
kara Jazz Society said in a written statement.
Terrasson will also perform on the evening of
Jan. 17 at the Bilkent Concert Hall, the main
venue of the jazz festival, the statement said.
In accordance with the 2010 edition’s
main theme, “Jazz and Piano,” the festival
will also feature performances by such inter-
nationally acclaimed jazz pianists as the Net-
herlands’ Michiel Borstlap, France’s Antoi-
ne Herve and Turkey’s Kerem Görsev, Fahir
Atakolu and Aye Tütüncü.
The full lineup of the festival and when
tickets will go on sale will be announced at a
later date. Ankara Today’s Zaman
Alicia Keys tops R&B
chart with new album
Alicia Keys’ album “The Element of Freedom”
topped the R&B chart in its rst week of sales,
but fell short of Susan Boyle to land at No. 2 on the
Top 200 Albums chart, her label said on Wednesday.
The album, which is Keys’ latest release since her
2007 “As I Am,” sold more than 417,000 copies in the
week since it hit stores, earning the singer her fth
straight chart topping debut, said Sony Music.
The album also landed at No. 2 on Billboard’s
Top 200 Albums chart, behind middle-aged Bri-
tish singing sensation Susan Boyle’s debut al-
bum “I Dreamed a Dream,” said industry trac-
ker Nielsen/Soundscan.
Released on Dec. 15, “The Element of Fre-
edom” includes the single “Try Sleeping With a
Broken Heart.” It also has a duet with Beyonce cal-
led “Put It In a Love Song” and Keys’ solo version
of a recent collaboration with Beyonce’s husband,
Jay-Z, “Empire State of Mind.” Los Angeles Reuters
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
Works of art by Müge
Akçakoca, Audrey Bakx, Burak
Bedenlier, Petrit Halilaj and ükran
Mertcan are featured in a group
exhibition on view until Feb. 5 at
Siemens Art Gallery in stanbul
Though there are 85 pieces in the show,
“they can all be considered as parts of ve dif-
ferent installations,” explains T. Melih Görgün,
another co-curator of the show, adding that alt-
hough each of these artists uses various medi-
ums, such as video and sculpture, there is a sort
of unity among the works. “All these artists
suggested their own policies concerning social
forms and the ethics of indifference. They cons-
titute a mature stance, rather than a realm of re-
lations about visions,” Görgün emphasizes.
Fidan notes that Akçakoca tries to expla-
TODAY’S ZAMAN 13
in that the way others see our pain is the way
they experience themselves, the pain that has
grown different and distant, while Bakx, with
her sensitive nature, underlines that vulnera-
bility, compassion and other subtle feelings
require protection in this violent world.
“The works of Burak Bedenlier evolve wit-
hin a practice based on conceptuality, such as
bearing the responsibility established by gift ri-
tuals that were recurring in old civilizations, gi-
ving more than what you take and the diminish-
ment of wealth toward poverty,” he continues.
“Petrit Halilaj, who grew up in Kosovo, where he
witnessed the whole war period in his early ye-
ars, focuses on the most obscure psychological
layers of the human soul and his own era,” Fi-
dan stresses, adding that the concept behind the
works of Mertcan comes from the principle of the
non-reection of the pain absorbed by her body.
“The artists, who all came from such wi-
dely different backgrounds, bring together
their works in a qualitative consistency and
therefore make the context of their art legible
without causing even a slight deviation from
their true message,” says Fidan, highlighting
the parallel stance of the artists.
The show will run through Feb. 5 and can
be viewed at the Siemens Art Gallery every
day between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
AA
PHOTO
Cüneyt Gökçer (C) in an undated archive photo with his
wife, actress Ayten Gökçer (R), and daughter Deniz Gökçer.
Turkish theater
loses its greatest
actor and teacher
Cüneyt Gökçer, one of Turkey’s most distin-
guished and prolic stage actors, revered for
his performances of Shakespearean characters, died
on Wednesday in Ankara. He was 89.
Gökçer died of respiratory failure Wednesday
night at Ankara’s Gülhane Military Academy of Me-
dicine (GATA), where he had been receiving treat-
ment for the past nine months, news agencies re-
ported on Thursday.
Gökçer, who brought to life such major charac-
ters of the world classical theater repertoire as King
Oedipus, Hamlet and King Lear, among others, also
headed the Turkish State Theaters, the Ankara State
Conservatory, the Turkish State Opera and Ballet and
Ankara’s Bilkent University’s department of theater
throughout a career that spanned over half a century.
Among Gökçer’s notable stage performances
were “Antigone,” “Julius Caesar,” “Twelfth Night,”
“Faust” and “The Fiddler on the Roof.” His prolic
acting career also included roles in lms.
President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdoan, Culture and Tourism Minister Er-
turul Günay and other top state ofcials as well as
political party leaders and fellow theater artists exp-
ressed their grief over Gökçer’s death and offered
their condolences in messages released on Thurs-
day, saying, “Turkish theater has lost its greatest ac-
tor and its teacher.”
‘He belonged to the stage’
State Opera and Ballet Director-General Rengim
Gökmen told the Anatolia news agency on Thursday
that Gökçer, apart from his reputation chiey as a ve-
teran actor of Turkish theater, “was a man who to-
tally belonged to the stage.” “He was a manager and
[stage] director who has made enormous contributi-
ons to [Turkish] opera. … He directed almost all Tur-
kish operas in their rst-ever onstage performances,”
Gökmen added, pointing to Gökçer’s seven-year
term as the head of Turkish State Opera and Ballet,
from 1961 to 1968, during which he introduced aro-
und 20 premiere performances, among others.
Gökçer was born in Malatya in 1920 and gradu-
ated in 1942 from the Ankara State Conservatory’s
department of theater, where he studied under fa-
mous German theater actor and producer Carl Ebert.
After working for many years as assistant direc-
tor in several theater institutions in Germany, Aust-
ria, Britain and France, Gökçer was appointed the
general director of Turkish State Theaters in 1958, ta-
king over the post immediately after Muhsin Ertu-
rul, the founder of modern Turkish theater, and run-
ning the institution for 23 years until retiring in 1983.
Apart from acting and heading state and priva-
te theater institutions, Gökçer also worked to make
opera and theater gain widespread appreciation
among the public, introducing such classics as “Fidd-
ler on the Roof” and “My Fair Lady” to Turkish the-
atergoers for the rst time as well as expanding the
Turkish theater repertoire by staging plays by Turkish
authors and playwrights, including Rek Erduran,
Güngör Dilmen Kalyoncu, Recep Bilginer, Necati
Cumal, Aziz Nesin, Yaar Kemal and Orhan Asena.
Two ceremonies for Gökçer will be held today in
Ankara; the rst ceremony will be held in the mor-
ning at Bilkent University, which will be followed
by another gathering at the Ankara Opera House.
Gökçer’s body will then be taken to stanbul, where
he will be buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery on Satur-
day. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
Documentary on
Jackson doctor planned
When Michael Jackson’s embattled perso-
nal physician returned to work last month,
cameras were rolling.
Miranda Sevcik, a spokeswoman for Dr. Con-
rad Murray, conrms that a British documentary
crew chronicled his rst day back at a Houston cli-
nic for the poor. Murray returned to the clinic Nov.
23 and was greeted by several patients and his pas-
tor. Murray remains under investigation for his role
in Jackson’s June 25 death. No charges have been
led, but investigators are looking into whether
Murray improperly administered the pop superstar
the powerful anesthetic propofol.
Sevcik says Murray agreed to be lmed, but only
if the footage didn’t air until after all legal proceedings
are complete. Details of the project were rst repor-
ted by celebrity Web site TMZ. Los Angeles AP
 14 TODAY’S ZAMAN
HAJRUDIN SOMUN*
If there is one foreign dignitary whom a majority of
Bosnian citizens do not want to see in the new year,
it must be Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister,
whose country holds rotating presidency of the European
Union for a few more days. He would be welcomed, of course,
to come together with his wife, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, to
ski at Sarajevo’s Winter Olympics venues, but not in a political capacity.
But even then, both would likely be asked unpleasant questions about
their political dealings concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Carl Bildt merits a different outlook from Turkey, for exam-
ple. Sincerely or not, he tried until the last moment to unblock
Turkey’s EU accession talks, stressing that it was “in the stra-
tegic interest of Europe” to do so. In Tel Aviv, he was called a
“stupid man” due to his comparison of Israel with Hamas. He
was not welcomed in Moscow during the war in South Ossetia
because of his comparison of Russia with Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, he lays all blame for
the country’s political impasse on Bosnian politicians, not making
any distinction between those struggling to preserve its integrity
and those threatening to further destabilize -- or even divide -- it.
People -- whether as individuals, small social groups or
whole nations -- when unable to recognize their weakness
and impotence to solve grave problems by themselves, place
the blame on others. But in the Bosnian case in particular, the
international community has the essential responsibility for
the current Bosnian political stalemate. The international com-
munity stopped the war in Bosnia with the Dayton Peace Ac-
cords in 1995, but at the same time imposed a constitutional
structure that, aside from rewarding aggressors, prevents the
country from entering 2010 as a normal and functional state.
Bildt was part of that international community’s mecha-
nism and, thus, shares its responsibility. He served as the co-
chairman of the Dayton peace talks as well as the co-chairman
of the recently failed US-EU attempt to ease the crisis in Bos-
nia. He has been involved in Bosnian and other Balkan prob-
lems, representing the UN or the EU but adding to his mis-
sions a personal, and very often controversial, touch.
I met the man only once, in stanbul. It happened on a rainy
winter day shortly after the Dayton Peace Accords were concluded
when Bildt came to consult Turkish ofcials about its implementa-
tion. We were having dinner in a restaurant being splashing by the
choppy waters of the Bosporus when a Turkish colleague whis-
pered to me a question while pointing at Bildt. “On whose behalf
did he come here?” We guessed it was more on the behalf of the
Americans, or the Britons, or even the French -- but these were
all guesses. “You should know,” he whispered to me. “Western
powers like to engage Scandinavians, particularly Swedes, to ac-
complish dirty diplomatic jobs for them.” He said the same was
the case even in Ottoman times, citing the conclusion of treaties in
1813 and after the Balkan wars in 1913. I never again met with
my interlocutor from that stormy Bosporus night to continue
our talk, and I have yet to nd a Swede who served as a media-
tor in the years he mentioned. I also did not have the opportu-
nity to ask Turkish historians, such as lber Ortayl, about this,
but they should know if indeed there was someone.
The role of Swedes
However, ever since, I have kept somewhere in the back of
my mind the idea of “dirty diplomatic jobs” whenever there
was talk of international mediation missions in the hands
of Sweden or other Nordic countries. Modern history re-
members some mediators and conciliators who, risking
even their lives, exerted themselves to direct great crises
and conicts toward a peaceful settlement. Perhaps
most prominent among those who gave their lives on
that path in the last century were the Swedes.
One was Count Folke Bernadotte, the United
Nations’ mediator for Palestine. After the failed
UN effort to partition Palestine into an Arab
and a Jewish state in November 1947 and at
the beginning of the rst of the wars in the
Middle East, in May 1948, the UN General
Assembly chose the former International
Red Cross mediator to undertake the rst
serious UN attempt at peacekeeping af-
ter World War II. Seeking to stop the
war between newly proclaimed Israel
and the Arab states, Count Bernadotte
proposed a new plan of partition, with
Jerusalem ruled by Jordanians. Jew-
ish extremists did not like it at all,
and their terrorist group Lehi, led
by future Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Shamir, assassinated
the UN envoy when he was
passing through the Jerusa-
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ADIEU,
MR.
BILDT!
Bildt was part of the
international community’s
mechanism and, thus, shares
its responsibility. He served as
the co-chairman of the Dayton
peace talks as well as the
co-chairman of the recently
failed US-EU attempt to ease
the crisis in Bosnia. He has
been involved in Bosnian and
other Balkan problems,
representing the UN or the EU
but adding to his missions a
personal, and very often
controversial, touch
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 OPINION
lem streets only four months after his arrival in the conict area.
That assassination left no hopeful trace for future devel-
opments. Jerusalem is still one of the stumbling blocks in the
Middle East crisis. From the other side, weakness displayed ORHAN KEMAL
toward the Jewish state for its reluctance to prosecute the mur- CENGZ
derers of the UN mediator seriously damaged the image of the
o.cengiz@todayszaman.com
world organization at the very beginning of its existence.
Another one was Dag Hammarskjöld, a Swedish states-
man and the second UN secretary-general. He was known
as an international peacemaker of great moral authority and Bartholomew
sensitivity. He was killed in a plane crash over today’s Zambia
at the peak of the Congo crisis in 1961. It is believed that Ham- crucfed, Erdoan
marskjöld was assassinated as well. He initiated the sending of
a UN peacemaking force to Zaire, now the Democratic Repub- suffers from
lic of the Congo, but Russia, then the Soviet Union, strongly
opposed UN involvement. It was one of the largest tests of Hellsh torture!(1)
East-West rivalry, so Hammarskjöld could also be considered Turkey is such a complex country. Its problems are so complex,
a victim of the Cold War. He was posthumously awarded the so sophisticated and they all have historic roots. Turkey seems
Nobel Peace Prize. “I realize now that in comparison to him, I am a to have changed very quickly on the one hand, but if you focus
small man,” US President John F. Kennedy said at the time. on problematic areas you will see nothing is actually changing.
Look at this recent “crucixion” discussion in Tur-
Mediators for two centuries key. It tells us many things, if only we can decode the
At the crossroads of two centuries, Scandinavians were again en-
gaged as international mediators: Swedes in Nagorno-Karabakh
messages correctly. His All Holiness Ecumenical Pa-
triarch Bartholomew stated on CBS television that
and Bosnia, Norwegians in the Oslo talks between Israelis and Pal- sometimes he feels crucied in Turkey. He also added
estinians and Finn Martti Ahtisaari, who acquired fame in Kosovo.
Swedes have also considerably contributed to studies and
that the Orthodox in Turkey feel themselves to be sec-
ond-class citizens. “[The Turkish government] would
expertise in the elds of international mediation, conciliation and
peacekeeping. There is the Swedish Forum for Mediation and
be happy to see the patriarchate extinguished or moving
abroad, but our belief is that it will never happen,” he said.
Conict Management, the Folke Bernadotte Academy and the I think it was the rst time he stated his frustration with
department of peace and conict research at Uppsala University.
A question was raised when Olof Palme served as prime
such harsh words. His remarks and criticism created a chain
reaction in Turkey. He was also criticized by the members of
minister over whether Sweden had taken on the role of a critic the government with equally harsh words.
at the expense of that of a mediator. Palme was also assassinat-
ed. He was known as a harsh critic of everyone: the Americans
After His All Holiness’ words came onto political
agenda in Turkey, his lawyer made a press release and
because of Vietnam, the Russians because of Czechoslovakia, tried to repair the “damage” done according to her un-
the Britons because of the apartheid in South Africa, the Israelis derstanding. She said when patriarchate was criticiz-
because of the Palestinians. Ulf Bjereld was right, proving in his ing government he was indeed criticizing the state, not
study “Critic or Mediator? Sweden in World Politics, 1945-90”
that his country’s taking on the role of a critic in the 1960s was
this government in particular. The lawyer was referring
to the state-government distinction in Turkey which is
not followed by a decrease in its mediation or bridge-building made to explain that some policies in Turkey will not
missions. He concluded, however, that “restrictions on criti- change with the change of government because they
cism and attitudes come up in conicts where that country is are state policies. We have such a distinction, it is true,
also acting as a mediator or bridge-builder.” but I believe that Bartholomew was not only criticizing
There was also an interesting recent study by Pro- state policies, but also this government in particular.
fessor Isak Svensson from Uppsala University exam- Let me try to explain this “quarrel” between Bar-
ining the effect of biased versus neutral mediation tholomew and the government from my perspective.
on the content of peace agreements, but I have yet to As I tried to explain in an earlier article of mine which
see its full text to see if he considers Bildt’s missions was published in this column on July 10, 2009 (“Is the
in the Balkans and Bosnia as biased or neutral. ecumenical patriarchate in Turkey waiting for Godot”),
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bildt the patriarchate in Turkey is on the verge of extinction
would deserve a secure place under the rst as a result of some policies and tactics which have been
category. That’s why a majority of its citizens deliberately and systematically applied by the Turkish
would like to bid him a full-hearted adieu. state since the establishment of Turkish Republic in
Everything aside, he cannot be for- 1923. Turkish state has applied “a fait accompli strat-
given for what he did immediately after egy” against patriarchate in which it has taken every-
the peace deal was signed in Dayton. thing from this institution with sudden and unexpect-
He was appointed as the international ed attacks, each of which has been followed a period of
community’s rst representative in the silence and these silent periods have always been fol-
country. He gave Serbs a full month, lowed by waves of new attacks. This historic institution
enabling them to dismantle factories and has lost everything during this secret war which has
take them to Serbia as well as to abandon been waged against it by the Turkish Republic. With
devastated territories Serb leader Radovan every passing day, the noose around its neck has been
Karadzic ordered them to leave. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 tightened more and more. This was a war which aims
at to weaken this institution so much that it will nally
be forced to leave Turkey. To avoid outside pressure,
Turkey has conducted this war in such a way, the nal
purpose of which may have not been seen even by the
patriarchate until very recently.
The patriarchate lost its congregation in Turkey
rst. Population exchanges, pogroms and attacks
against the Greek minority in Turkey wiped out Greek-
origin Turkish citizens from Turkey almost completely.
After losing its people, the patriarchate started to lose
its property. In addition to these material losses, it has
been denied a legal capacity and personality, which has
REUTERS, FRANCOIS LENOIR
added its vulnerability. As you all know, Turkey also
created quite unacceptable limitations on the method
of choosing a new patriarch, which dictates that the
patriarchate, and the members of the holy council
which choose new patriarch can only be Turkish citi-
zens. Turkey closed down the Halki Theological School
which educates Orthodox clergyman, but also future
patriarchs. While the patriarch is accepted as the leader
of 300 million Orthodox Christians all over the world,
he has been subjected to persecution in his homeland
here in Turkey for using his title of “ecumenical.” Not
PHOTO
to mention threats, physical attacks and other kind of
Carl Bildt
intimidation. I will continue on this next Wednesday.
Daðýstan Çetinkaya
dagistancetinkaya@todayszaman.com.tr
CMYK
 COLUMNS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
Is the PKK changng?
In my previous article, I had argued that the closure of the pro-Kurd-
ish Democratic Society Party (DTP) by the Constitutional Court is the
natural consequence of the ideological partiality of the judiciary. On the
other hand, there was a widespread popular expectation that the court
should dispense with this ideological tradition and issue a “political”
decision. Despite resistance from the military and the judiciary, Turkey
maintains its democratic progress and wants to become a different re-
gime, I argued. Although the DTP and its patron, the Kurdistan Work-
ers’ Party (PKK), could secure the emotional support of Kurds, they are
moving away from Kurds’ conception of the future, I added. In other
words, we were witnessing a break with the established political tradi-
tions in Kurdish groups. My reasoning continued as follows:
“The current scene, along with the DTP’s closure, has the poten-
tial to create two results, one short term and one long term. In the
short term, we can predict that it will increase distrust on the part of
Kurds, decrease possibilities for their dialogue with the government
and increase the PKK’s hegemonic inuence on Kurdish society. But
there’s no chance that this situation will last very long because, above
all, Kurds are now overall a bit less partisan to the PKK, ideologically
speaking. No matter how very difcult it is to oppose the organization
YAVUZ
BAYDAR
y.baydar@todayszaman.com
nsttutonal warfare
Turkey exits 2009 in a mood of profound internal suspicion, with
mistrust between the various key decision-making circles, anxi-
ety and fear. Lately, every event that has unfolded has raised new,
powerful questions about the future of politics and whether or not
Turkey will ever be democratically manageable.
The military and its top command remain the center of atten-
tion. Every day, people wake up to new revelations, accusations
and strange events that help keep the focus on the chief of general
staff’s relations with the government and public opinion. The mili-
tary apparatus is obviously under severe strain, and it struggles to
regain some of the popular condence it has been losing.
The alleged assassination plot that targeted Deputy Prime
Minister Bülent Arnç, one of the most critical voices within the
Justice and Development Party (AKP) on the role of the military
as a “political and social engineer,” has brought tensions to a
new, higher level.
It is an event that is surrounded by deep mystery. Two mid-
rank ofcers were caught by the police last Saturday near Arnç’s
private residence after an anonymous tip, and the arrest document
-- to reliable sources -- clearly indicated that the “target address”
for surveillance and wiretapping was that of the high-level politi-
cian. The top command, in a written communiqué and after ve
days of speculation and institutional silence, denied the accusa-
tions and stated that the ofcers were after an alleged “military
informant” residing on the same street.
The response satised -- with the exception of editorially
pro-military Doan Group outlets such as Hürriyet, Milliyet and
Vatan, which seemed to have found a new energy to ridicule
Ergenekon-type investigations -- nobody.
It was vague, and it did leave many questions unanswered,
raising new questions such as: “Why did the top command keep
silent for four days if that was the case?”, “Why did it not inform
the other security agencies about the chase?” and -- most impor-
tant of all -- “Why did the top command not inform Arnç that
there would be an act of surveillance on his street and that there
was no reason for him to be alarmed?”
Meanwhile, the events that have been unfolding in Erzincan
-- which allegedly led Chief of General Staff Gen. lker Babu to
jump onboard a major battleship to raise his voice and confront
the media in harsh and patronizing terms -- display vast confusion
not only between the judiciary and the army but also an escalation
of tension within the very judiciary itself. The Erzincan case had
begun with a public prosecutor arresting members of a religious
sect and then being “sidelined” by a superior prosecutor in Er-
zurum who not only took over but also raided the local ofces of
the National Intelligence Organization (MT) and called the 3rd
army commander, a four star general, for interrogation.
Ankara is being dragged into a denser fog of institutional mis-
trust and power wrestling, not to mention warfare. All this as the
government struggles further to dig its way out of a political im-
passe, reecting on possible ways to make the rather inefcient
Parliament take a new grip on the reform process.
The disconnect between the major institutions in Ankara is
not new. But it was always manageable in the “old order” in
which the system of bureaucratic tutelage -- in particular that of
the military -- worked as glue. But things are different now. The
fact that Arnç voiced his clear dissatisfaction with the top com-
mand’s “explanation” as well as the monolithic condemnation
of the ways Babu conducted his naval press conference show
us that “going back to the old days” will be impossible.
The military will remain in focus. What is new for the generals
is that they are not used to, at all, being treated like, say, the Rail-
road Authority. It is not the old Turkey anymore, where the media
was subordinate in its coverage and comments to what the top
command allowed. The militarists and army admirers in the press
are less in numbers, less certain, lost in nding reasonable argu-
ments in defense of the generals in duty and less credible.
The questioning of the military taboo that began with the par-
liamentary vote before the Iraqi invasion and took a new turn be-
fore the referendum on Cyprus 2004 climbs to new heights every
day. It forces the top command to make a choice between more
staunch resistance to subordinate itself to the government and
Parliament or strike a “new deal.”
For Babu, it may be a sensitive issue to keep his low and
mid-rank ofcers under the control of his command, but sooner
or later there will have to be a resolution between him and the
head of the government. The current disarray is unsustainable
and dangerous, and it has to lead to cooperation that has to
ETYEN
MAHÇUPYAN
e.mahcupyan@todayszaman.com
politically, it’s also that difcult to approve of them ideologically.”
The predictions of this paragraph were all conrmed in a week as if
we were in a fast-moving lm. First, the DTP deputies decided to re-
sign as members of Parliament and said that there would be no turn-
ing back from this decision. Their choice was a sign of their opting for
separatist and harsher policies and implied that the PKK would push
the informal Kurdish parliament called the Democratic Society Con-
gress, or in other words, they would support a structure that would
create grounds for separatism. With this move, they would not only
close the channels of communication with the government, but the
PKK would also boost its hegemonic inuence on Kurdish society.
Yet, as noted in the above-mention excerpt, this did not last
long. Before long, things were reversed. The DTP members decided
No Comment
Post-electon Bagapsh polces n Abkhaza
HASAN
KANBOLAT
h.kanbolat@todayszaman.com
Sergei Bagapsh won again in the Dec. 12 presidential
elections held in Abkhazia, which has declared a one-
sided (de facto) independence from Georgia. These
elections were his second victory; he had won against
Abkhazia’s rst president, Vladislav Ardzinba, in presi-
dential elections held on Oct. 3, 2004.
During his election campaign Bagapsh had vowed
to develop the country’s economy, raise living standards
and increase wages. He also said that in terms of foreign
policy, economic and political ties would be strengthened
with the Russian Federation, which recognizes Abkhazia’s
independence. In his rst term as president, from 2005 to
2009, Bagapsh lifted the economic embargo imposed by
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) between
1996 and 2008. In this way, the Abkhazian economy was
enlivened as 1.3 million tourists began visiting the country
annually, and the country began to renew itself. Prepara-
tions for the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi,
three hours away from the capital, Sukhumi, have also
contributed to the economic revival. The August 2008 war
(the Five-Day War) ensured the addition of Upper Codor
to Abkhazia. On Aug. 26, 2008 the Russian Federation rec-
ognized Abkhazia’s independence.
In 2009, Abkhazia adopted a multifaceted foreign
policy initiative. It began creating ties with nations not
under the inuence of the US and NATO. Through this
multifaceted foreign policy initiative, after Russia, they
gained recognition from Nicaragua and Venezuela. Ab-
to remain as deputies afliated with a newly established party and
re-establish their parliamentary group. It was said that this change
of heart was attributable to the demands voiced from the Kurdish
voters and guidance from (PKK leader Abdullah) Öcalan. Then,
something more surprising happened, and the notes of the meeting
between Öcalan and his lawyers were leaked uncensored for the rst
time in many years. Öcalan stressed three points: First, he was able
to discover the connection between the PKK and Ergenekon only
later. Thus, the PKK leader confessed to the existence of such a con-
nection. Second, he said he would never have approved the attack
that killed seven soldiers in Tokat and he positioned himself away
from the PKK. Third, he does not regard violence as a policy, but his
attitude is nothing but the “democratic politics” method.
He obviously made these statements with a tactical purpose. Öca-
lan is trying to position himself above the PKK and act as a “referee”
or as a “wise man.” Still, he openly supports democratic politics. The
expected result of this attitude is that some hawkish gures within the
DTP will not be executives of the newly established party.
Öcalan also said that the DTP deputies had decided to resign from
Parliament without consulting him, but this does not sound convinc-
GAZA, AA
khazian parliamentarians went to Latin America and
requested support for their country. Most recently, on
Dec. 14, the Pacic island state of Nauru recognized Ab-
khazia, meaning that four UN members recognize the
state’s independence. Nauru’s membership in the Com-
monwealth of Nations is important also in cracking open
a new door for increased recognition of Abkhazia’s inde-
pendence. But it is also important to recall that Nauru,
which struggled against the British Empire in the 1960s
for its independence, which it gained in 1967, was rst
recognized as independent by the Soviet Union, which
was also the rst to support its struggle.
The Bagapsh administration has also placed a priority on
developing relations with those of Abkhazian descent who
live outside Abkhazia and with the nations that they live in.
As part of this political initiative, relations are being strength-
ened with countries such as Turkey, Syria, Egypt and Jordan,
and Abkhazians living in the EU nations. But with a change
made to Abkhazian election law, Abkhazian citizens who live
abroad and have the right to vote could only do so in the
Russian cities of Moscow and Cherkessk. As for the roughly
600,000 Abkhazian citizens living in Turkey and the Abkha-
zian citizens with the right to vote living in other nations, they
didn’t have the opportunity to cast votes.
While during his rst term in ofce Bagapsh was the
president of a “de facto” state, he is now the head of state
in a country that has begun to be recognized as “de jure.”
For this reason, history has placed great responsibility
upon his shoulders during his second term. In the next
10 years, Abkhazia will choose to become a mini satellite
of the Russian Federation and become the next money
laundering site for the Russian oligarchy after Cyprus.
Or, protecting its good relations with Russia, it will try
new ways to establish better relations with the nations of
the world, beginning with its region.
TODAY’S ZAMAN 15
ing. Thus, we come back to the main question. These people, who
seemed eager to close their doors to the external world and promote
separatist policies and use violence as a method just a week ago, why
have they opted to re-engage in parliamentary politics and dialogue?
My previous article also contained a possible answer to this question.
“Ultimately, the DTP’s closure may lead to the birth of a condent
Kurdish movement that will for the rst time be able to distance itself
from the PKK. [However] the PKK is probably also aware of this, and it
will from day one want to take the new party under its strict control. But
there’s a possibility -- and not a small possibility -- that this stance will
increase the distance between wide segments of Kurds and the PKK,
and lead towards alienation.” In short, the PKK was pinned against the
wall: If it refrained from parliamentary politics, it would encourage the
emergence of a new political party among Kurds. On the other hand, if
it attempted to curb such a new political player, it would further alien-
ate itself from Kurdish society. The solution was to return to Parliament
and engage in politics dreamed of by Kurds.
In all these years, the PKK has not changed. The state’s attitude has
made the PKK’s violence “acceptable” for Kurds. But now, both the
state and the Kurds are changing. And this will change the PKK, too.
AL
BULAÇ
a.bulac@todayszaman.com
Fear of
poltczaton
As a sphere that determines and regulates power rela-
tions, politics ensures and requires that people and differ-
ent social groups express their civilian and public rights
and demands. The demands voiced regarding activities
conducted in this sphere are addressed to political/ofcial
society, i.e., the state. If, in a democratic country, there
is a serious social problem, the proper way to articulate
this problem and seek appropriate and acceptable ways
to solve it is to engage in politics.
If politics is a possible and necessary sphere within
this framework, there is no reason to fear it as long as it
is legal and it cannot be used as a vehicle for fear. Now
consider this: If a person or a group of people are not sup-
posed to voice their major problems within a legal frame-
work or on political grounds, what will they do? They will
either abandon their request for a solution to the prob-
lem in question or resort to non-political methods. They
have no other choice. Some problems can be repressed,
set aside or postponed, but some cannot since they are
serious, vital or take precedence. If a political platform is
not opened for the expression of such problems, they will
be manifested in non-political ways in some way or an-
other. Perhaps we may say that the famous rule Antoine
Lavoisier found for chemistry also applies to politics: That
which exists cannot be made non-existent and that which
does not exist cannot be made existent.
In this case, we can conclude that all ways and meth-
ods we describe as “non-political” are included in the
general denition of politics. Here, what we call “non-
political” can be construed to mean conducting illegal
activities, or in other words, resorting to illegal means
and methods. Indeed, if participating or engaging in
politics through legal means can be dened as “positive
participation,” then illegal forms of participation can be
described as “negative participation.” Taking into consid-
eration the web of relations among politics, people and
society, political scientists argue that forms of violence
and terror justiably undertaken to achieve certain goals
represent “negative participation” in politics.
Looking at the mainstream political concepts and
practices in Turkey and in countries without democratic
politics conducted in a legal framework, we can see that
not only the introduction of certain issues to political plat-
forms but also their articulation are considered offenses.
The Kurdish issue, the relationship between religion (Is-
lam) and the state and the headscarf issue are the rst
things to come to mind as examples of this. Even, work-
ers’ demands for greater unionization rights are occa-
sionally considered outside the political sphere. The act of
voicing such demands is described as the offense of “po-
liticization.” In other words, such activities and attempts
are considered a crime.
Although politics is a legitimate sphere for everyone
to express their problems and demands within the frame-
work of the Constitution and laws, to say that an issue
should not be politicized actually means that a handful of
power elites attempt to teach people what their problems
or demands really are. Strangely enough, some academ-
ics, columnists and intellectuals argue that some issues
should be kept outside the “political sphere.”
If the “attempt or demand for politicization” is an ab-
solute danger, then it must be dened in a concrete and
comprehensible manner so that the sphere of admissible
politics can be clearly delineated for people. Such an odd
practice can hardly be described as democratic.
Now consider again: If anyone who has a problem or
demand can say, “I have a problem, and I want to voice
it without resorting to violence or terror and within the
applicable and legal methods of politics,” wouldn’t it be
better and more reasonable that s/he should be allowed
to express and discuss it on civilian and ofcial plat-
forms? And this is what democracy is, isn’t it? Do those
who do not allow certain problems to be introduced
to political platforms think that these problems can be
eliminated in this way? Not in the least. Rather, they
become exacerbated by gaining more dangerous aspects
and recruiting international support and face us again.
 16 TODAY’S ZAMAN F R I D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9
LEISURE

move gude
“Ac Ak”
AVATAR
STANBUL:Bakrköy Cinebonus Capacity
12:00 15:00 18:15 21:30 00:30 14:00 17:15
20:30 34:45 Beyolu AFM Fita 11:00
14:10 17:30 20:50 00:10 Caddebostan AFM
11:10 14:30 17:50 21:15 ANKARA: Ata On
Tower 12:00 13:45 15:15 18:30 20:15 21:45
00:00 Bilkent Cinebonus 14:20 17:45
21:10 00:30 ZMR: AFM Forum Bornova
11:00 14:15 17:30 21:00 00:15 Cinebonus
Konak Pier 11:00 14:15 17:45 21:00 00:15
ANTALYA: Cinebonus Migros 17:45 21:00
00:00 14:30 11:45 15:00 18:15 21:30
Gregorian Calendar: 25 December 2009 C.E. Hijri Calendar: 09 Muharram 1431 A.H.Hebrew Calendar: 08 Tevet 5770 tv gude
calendar@todayszaman.com
E2
08:00 Merlin
Today is Christmas Day, the Christian feast com- the national government on Jan. 1, 1947 and put into ef- bringing to an end the last hard-line regime in the Soviet bloc. 10:00 The Martha Stewart Show
11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show
memorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Christ- fect on Dec. 25 of the same year. On this day in 1973, the second president of Turkey, 12:00 Umutsuz Evkadnlar
mas as a feast of nativity dates from the fourth century. Al- Today is the anniversary of Mikhail Gorbachev’s res- smet nönü (b. 1884), died at the age of 89 in Ankara. A 14:00 The Martha Stewart Show
15:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show
though Jesus’ birth date is not known, the Western church ignation as president of the USSR, declaring the office comrade of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on several fronts dur- 16:00 Merlin
18:00 The Martha Stewart Show
selected Dec. 25 for the feast, possibly to counteract the extinct and ceding all powers still vested in it to the then- ing the time of the Ottoman state and the War of Indepen- 19:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show
non-Christian festivals that occurred at that time of year. president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. On the next day, the Su- dence, nönü was the heroic commander of the first and 20:00 Family Guy
21:00 Chuck
Some Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6 or preme Soviet recognized the extinction of the union and second nönü victories, several times prime minister and 22:15 Later With Jools Holland
7, according to the old Julian calendar. The English term dissolved itself. By Dec. 31, 1991, all official Soviet insti- Atatürk’s successor in the presidential office. 23:00 The Tonight Show With
Conan O'Brien
Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent ori- tutions had ceased operations as individual republics as- On this day in 1977, Charlie Chaplin (b. 1889), an Eng- 00:00 Later With Jools Holland
gin. The corresponding terms in other languages -- Navi- sumed the central government’s role. lish comedy actor, died. Chaplin became one of the most 01:30 The Jay Leno Show
02:15 The Tonight Show With
dad in Spanish, Natale in Italian and Noël in French -- all Today is the birthday of Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1876- famous actors as well as a notable director and musician in Conan O'Brien
denote nativity. Since the early 20th century, Christmas 1948). Jinnah was the founder of the Islamic Republic of the early and middle eras of Hollywood cinema. His prin- 03:00 Chuck
04:00 Family Guy
has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Chris- Pakistan and became its first governor general when Paki- cipal character was “the Tramp” (known as “Charlot” in
tians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian ele- stan gained its autonomy on Aug. 15, 1947. He was given France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Tur- CNBC-E
17:55 The Simpsons
ments and marked by an exchange of gifts. the title Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) in 1947. key and as Carlitos in Brazil). 18:50 Leverage
20:00 Merlin
Today is Constitution Day in Taiwan. This is a national Today is the anniversary of the death of Nicolae Ceauses- On this day in 1921, the city of Ayintap was liberated from two 21:00 One Tree Hill
holiday that commemorates the adoption of Taiwan’s 1946 cu (1918-1989), the former Romanian president. On Christ- years of British-French occupation. The city was renamed Gazian- 22:00 Jaws
00:45 Merlin
constitution. The 1946 constitution was promulgated by mas evening in 1989, Ceausescu and his wife were executed, tep later on, adding the title of “gazi” (war veteran) to the name. 01:30 One Tree Hill
02:15 Jaws
04:15 Merlin
05:00 One Tree Hill
GOLDMAX
07:00 Ferngully: The Last
Rainforest
08:15 Christmas Carol: The Movie

BAKA DLDE AK 09:40 The Sound Of Music

STANBUL: Beyolu 12:15 14:30 16:45

19:15 21:30 ili Megaplex Cevahir 11:30
13:30 15:45 17:50 20:00 22:00 Kozyata
Cinepol 11:15 13:15 15:15 17:15 19:15 21:15
23:15 aknbakkal Megaplex M&S 11:15
‘Bolerplate: Hstory’s 12:35 The Blues Brothers (1980)
14:50 Unlawful Entry
16:45 Snatch
18:30 Lost In Translation
20:15 Top Secret!
21:50 Shakespeare In Love
13:15 15:15 17:15 19:15 ANKARA: Cinebonus
Panora 11:00 13:05 14:30 15:15 17:30 19:45
21:00 22:00 ZMR: AFM Passtel 11:15 13:45
16:00 18:30 21:00 ANTALYA: Megapol 11:15
13:15 15:15 17:15 19:15 21:15
Mechancal Marvel’ s a delght
NICK OWCHAR a place of clockwork parts and steam- There’s Boilerplate, standing next to
23:55 The Devil's Own
02:10 The Countess
03:55 3 Women
06:00 Lost In Translation

MOVIEMAX
VAVIEN 07:55 A Dennis The Menace
STANBUL: Bakrköy Cinebonus Capacity driven machines. The Steampunk Lawrence of Arabia, mingling with Christmas
11:00 13:00 15:15 17:30 19:45 22:00 00:15 09:25 Roxanne's Best X-Mas
Boilerplate looks like an old world still contains sophisticated the Buffalo Soldiers, boxing with 10:00 There Will Be Blood
Beyolu AFM Fita 11:40 14:00 16:20
18:40 21:00 23:45 Caddebostan AFM 10:30 stove with legs. He was built technologies, but they come with a Jack Johnson, even traveling to the 12:40 Bolt
14:25 Christmas in Boston
12:50 15:10 17:30 19:50 22:10 Kozyata by Chicagoan Archibald crude, clanky appearance. Boilerplate Yukon of Jack London. The book (Instant Message)
Cinebonus Palladium 12:45 15:00 17:15 16:05 Three Can Play That Game
19:30 21:45 00:00 ANKARA: Ata On Campion as the model for a new is no exception. With his goggle eyes also includes a section, on other
17:50 Fred Claus
Tower 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:15 19:30 21:45 kind of soldier -- for “preventing the and horn-shaped speaker, he’s the mechanical men, under the title 20:00 Get Smart
00:00 ZMR: AFM Forum Bornova 11:30 22:00 Untraceable
13:45 16:20 18:45 21:20 23:45 ANTALYA: deaths of men in the conflicts of na- kind of robot that the Little Rascals “Boilerplate’s Brethren.” 23:50 April Fool's Day
Cinebonus Migros 12:15 14:30 16:45 19:00 tions.” After many exotic adventures probably would’ve built with parts “Boilerplate” is a delight, a per- 01:25 Wild Things: Diamonds In
21:15 23:30 The Rough
around the globe, he disappeared found in a junkyard. fect ramble of a read that needs no 02:50 Killing Me Softly
SÜPÜRRR! in 1918, during World War I, in the The book includes lavish il- bigger justification than the pleasure 05:15 Three Can Play That Game
STANBUL: Esentepe Cinebonus Astoria
11:00 13:00 15:00 17:15 19:30 21:45 00:00 Argonne Forest in northeast France: lustrations and period photos that of sharing in the authors’ fantasy. MGM MOVIES
Kozyata Cinebonus Palladium 12:30 14:45 No piece of wreckage was ever insert Boilerplate, a metallic ver- But if you do need a bigger purpose 07:45 The Innocent
17:00 19:15 21:30 23:45 ANKARA: Bilkent 09:45 Not Without My Daughter
Cinebonus 11:40 14:10 16:40 19:10 21:40 found. Subsequent rumors, though, sion of Zelig -- or Forrest Gump before diving in, just consider: The 11:45 Dead Man's Gun Season
00:10 Cinebonus Panora 11:00 13:05 15:15 suggested that the robot had been -- into so many pivotal moments in variety of i-gadgets today are lauded 2/11: Seven Deadly Sins
17:30 19:45 22:00 ZMR: AFM Passtel 12:35 Dead Man's Gun Season
11:30 14:00 16:30 19:00 21:45 ANTALYA: recovered by the Germans and later American history. The illustrations for their smooth, sleek design, right? 2/12: The Ripper
13:25 The Fringe Dwellers
Deepo 11:30 13:30 15:30 17:30 19:30 21:30 rechristened as “Panzermann.” are so good that there’s a tangible, “Boilerplate,” however, taps into 15:05 A Day in October (En Dag
ACI AK This robot, given his due in “Boil- believable quality to them that has a yearning for things that are more I Oktober)
16:50 The Thomas Crown Affair
STANBUL:Beyolu AFM Fita 11:30 13:50 erplate: History’s Mechanical Mar- fooled many (just ask comedian old-fashioned -- for technology that 18:45 Bring Me the Head of
16:10 18:30 20:50 23:30 Caddebostan
AFM 11:10 13:30 16:00 18:30 21:00 23:20 vel,” is actually the creation of Paul Chris Elliott, who thought Boiler- still has some wires showing. Alfredo Garcia
20:45 Hennessy
ANKARA: Bilkent Cinebonus 11:45 Guinan and Anina Bennett, a hus- plate was real and used him in his “Boilerplate: History’s Mechanical 22:35 Sam Whiskey
13:00 14:15 15:30 16:45 19:15 21:45 00:15 band-wife team of comic-book vet- 2005 debut novel -- later, accord- Marvel,” by Paul Guinan and Anina 00:15 Midnight Cowboy
ZMR: Balçova Cinebonus Kipa 10:45 02:10 A Day in October (En Dag
12:45 15:00 17:15 19:30 21:45 00:00 erans. Like the novel “The Difference ing to one media outlet, he negoti- Bennett, published by Abrams Im- I Oktober)
ANTALYA: Cinebonus Migros 12:15 Engine” and all its Steampunk prog- ated a settlement with the authors age, $24.95 in hardcover ISBN: 978- 04:10 Bring Me the Head of
14:30 16:45 19:00 21:15 23:30 Alfredo Garcia
eny, this book imagines our world as for using a copyrighted character). 0810989504 © Los Angeles Times 2009
COMEDYMAX
06:00 Everybody Hates Chris
06:30 Reba
07:00 3rd Rock from the Sun
07:30 Ugly Betty
08:30 The Middle
Crossword Mr. DploMAT! Cem Kzltu
c.kiziltug@todayszaman.com
09:00 The Cosby Show
10:00 According to Jim
11:00 Everybody Loves Raymond
971 12:00 Reaper
13:00 Everybody Hates Chris
ACROSS Coat of Arms worsted for 36 Surreal suffix 13:30 Ugly Betty
1 Sound from 47 Pulling up wear? 37 Supermodel
14:30 The Middle
an angry cat stakes 10 Language of Campbell
5 Birds and 49 Wreck on Leonardo 38 Wasn’t left 15:00 The Cosby Show
snakes do it the road 11 Time of standing 16:00 According to Jim
9 Baby 51 Program change 39 Condition 17:00 Everybody Loves Raymond
swallows? variable 12 “Boom-bah” 40 Diplomatic 18:00 3rd Rock from the Sun
13 “The Joy Luck 54 Comparison lead-in officer 18:30 Everybody Hates Chris
Club” nanny shopper’s 14 Becomes 43 Nitrogen 19:00 The Cosby Show
14 Allen Iverson, quest disenchanted compound 19:30 Ugly Betty
for much of 56 More com- 18 Time for 44 Fit for a 20:30 The Middle
his career pact than crowing doggy bag
21:00 According to Jim
15 Toiletry case compact 20 “Zelig” direc- 46 Twelfth Jew-
16 Hardly risque 57 “Norma ___” tor Woody ish month 21:30 Everybody Loves Raymond
17 Green army (Sally Field 23 Pyromani- 47 Minister’s 22:00 Reaper
uniforms film) ac’s crime residence 23:00 Entourage
19 Big item in 58 Gloomy Gus 24 Unlucky 48 Putting areas 23:30 Weeds
Hollywood? 60 Little bit or investor’s loss, 50 Durable resin 00:00 The Middle
20 New Year’s little biter proverbially 52 Bad way to 00:30 Ugly Betty
Eve word 61 Wheyfaced 26 Controversial run (Var.) 01:30 According to Jim
21 Bald thing in 62 School on education 53 What bread
Alaska the Seine subject does in the
22 What schools 63 Starting 29 Three-time oven
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place for a
big race?
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55 Electric
swimmers
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25 Stream “steel” or tor’s job butter
blockers
27 Entangles
28 Solo in a
“pigeon”
65 Fifth Avenue
retailer
33 Artist Yoko
34 Architectural
arch
59 Myanmar
monetary unit
60 Encountered
Sudoku TRT Toursm Rado
00:00 Identification and
Programming
spaceship? 66 Bases of 00:25 Music
30 “Thanks, I the decimal PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER HARD EASY 07:25 Identification and
already ___” system
HARD

9 1 8 6 5 7 2 4 3
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31 Hebrides DOWN
language 1 More than 8 1 7 9 1 2 8 5 7 7 6 3 4 2 9 1 5 8
07:30 Music
08:30 News (English,
32 Do drudgery just antis 2 5 4 1 3 8 7 6 9 French, German)
34 Black 2 John Lennon
gemstone classic 6 9 6 9 2 1 2 7 9 8 4 5 3 6
08:40 Live Broadcast
35 Side band? 3 Urn with a tap (English, German, Russian)
5 8 9 7 6 3 4 2 1
38 Formerly 4 Yon maiden 10:30 News (English, French,
used hand 5 First name in 4 6 2 7 1 3 4 3 6 5 1 2 8 9 7 German, Greek, Russian)
measure lip-syncing 10:45 Live Broadcast
6 7 5 2 9 1 3 8 4
41 The Munsters’ 6 Ferric (English, German, Russian)
pet dragon ___ (rust 8 3 2 6 8 9 7 3 8 4 2 3 7 6 9 1 5 12:30 News (English, French,
42 Aboriginal component) German, Greek, Russian)
3 9 1 8 4 5 6 7 2
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45 Works in a
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4 3 1 5 (English, German, Russian)
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46 Bird on the orange © 2009 Universal Uclick
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9 8 4 2 5 3 6 8 7 9 1 7 5 6 8 1 2 9 3 4
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4 2 1 3 9 6 8 7 5
(English, German, Russian)
8 6 5 4 2 7 3 1 9 18:30 News (English, French,
6 1 4 6 1 4 7 9 8 3 6 5 2 German, Greek, Russian)
18:45 Live Broadcast
2 9 3 6 5 1 4 8 7
2 5 1 9 8 5 6 3 7 4 5 7 4 1 6 8 2 9 3
(English, French)
21:30 News (English, French,
9 3 8 2 4 5 7 6 1 German, Greek, Russian)
9 2 8 6 7 4 3 6 1 2 7 3 9 5 4 8
21:45 Live Broadcast
(English, Greek)
23:58 Identification

HOW TO PLAY? : The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order Broadcast Areas:
Alanya FM 94.4
with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow. In a 9 Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order Ankara FM 100.3
by 9 square Sudoku game: Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 Antalya FM 92.1
Ayvalk FM 101.1
Bodrum FM 97.4
Fethiye FM 103.1
stanbul FM 101.6
travelers’

Ambulance: 112 Fire: 110 171 Police: 155156 Maritime: 158 Unknown numbers: 118 Turkish Airlines: 444 0 849 U.S. Embassy: 0312 455 5555 U.S. Consu- zmir FM 101.6
Kalkan FM 105.9
late: 0212 2513602-3-4 Russian Embassy: 0312 439 2122 Russian Consulate: 0212 244 1693-2610 British Embassy: 0312 455 3344 British Consulate: 0212
s.o.s

Kapadokya FM 103.0
293 7540 German Embassy: 0312 455 5100 German Consulate: 0212 334 61 00 French Embassy: 0312 455 4545 French Consulate: 0212 292 4810-11 Indian Kuadas FM 101.9
Marmaris FM 101.0
Embassy: 0312 438 2195 Pakistani Embassy: 0312 427 1410 Austrian Embassy: 0312 419 0431-33 Austrian Consulate: 0212 262 9315 Belgian Embassy: Pamukkale FM 101.0
Trabzon FM 101.5
0312 446 8247 Belgian Consulate: 0212 243 3300 Egyptian Embassy: 0312 426 1026 Egyptian Consulate: 0212 263 6038 Israeli Embassy: 0312 446 3605

CMYK
 CONTINUATION
Terrorist leaders let go under military’s orders, says Beler
contnued from page 1
Beler’s allegations provide important clu-
es to the PKK’s links to other illegal groups inside
the military. Saying that a Special Forces squad
captured Murat Karaylan and Cemil Bayk, the
two highest-ranking commanders in the terro-
rist group after its jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan,
Beler says they were told to let the terrorists go
by an order from above. Stating that he often wit-
nessed the PKK being assisted by illegal formati-
ons inside the gendarmerie, the former translator
reported: “If we wanted to, we could have nis-
hed off the PKK. We didn’t, because it worked for
us – ‘us’ being the Special Forces. We gave supp-
lies and medicine to the PKK as well as arms.”
He said Karaylan and Bayk, as well as ot-
her high commanders of the PKK, were captu-
red in 1992 in northern Iraq, where Beler worked
at the time as an agent for the Turkish Armed For-
ces (TSK). “We worked under Major M. in northern
Iraq, who was assigned to the rnak Brigade Com-
mand. We captured all of them except Apo [Öca-
Anti-PKK operations lead to
detention of Kurdish towns’ mayors
contnued from page 1
Hatip Dicle, who was among the gro-
up of people from the Democratic So-
ciety Congress asking for autonomy in Diyar-
bakr, was also detained in the operation.
Meanwhile, former DTP deputies who are
now under the newly formed Peace and Democ-
racy Party (BDP) gathered at the BDP headquar-
ters in Ankara. They claimed that the operation
was conducted in order to eliminate Kurds from
politics. Former DTP Bitlis deputy Nezir Karaba,
Tunceli deputy erafettin Halis and Mu deputy
Srr Sakk went to the party headquarters follo-
wing the news about the operation.
At the entrance to the building Karaba said,
“This is not a KCK operation but an operation to
eliminate Kurds from politics.”
Former head of the DTP, Ahmet Türk,
who also went to the headquarters of the
BDP, said that he found out about the opera-
tions from the news. “An announcement will
come from the BDP members. The detained
people are our friends who have been invol-
ved in democratic politics,” he said.
During his health check at the court, Ka-
yapnar Mayor Karatekin shouted, “All Di-
yarbakr is KCK. You will not be able to nish
the job by detaining me. You need to detain
all the people of Diyarbakr.”
In the meantime, a group of workers from
the Mardin Kzltepe Municipality started a sit-in
protest in front of the building. The municipality
workers also hung two black ags on the building
to condemn the detentions. They said they will
continue their protest until 1 p.m. today.
Deputy Mayor erife Alp reminded peop-
le that one of the detainees was Mayor Türk
and added that he had been elected by 78
percent of the vote. “They conscated mobile
phones and computers during the police raid.
As members of the municipal assembly, we
are all behind our mayor. We will express our
reaction democratically,” she said.
Akn Birdal, an independent deputy from
Diyarbakr, reacted to the operation by saying,
“People’s freedom of choice has been detained.”
He also said that the timing of the ope-
ration was not a coincidence. “It’s an ope-
ration to change the agenda. It cuts the
Kurdish initiative, peace and democratic
solutions short. It’s a matter of concern,”
he said. “It’s an operation which fails one’s
hopes in the New Year.”
Another issue Birdal raised was that whether
or not the operation was done “with the consent
Taraf reporter released despite arrest request over Cage report
BETÜL AKKAYA DEMRBA STANBUL
Taraf reporter Mehmet Baransu, who ex-
posed a suspected military plot to assas-
sinate non-Muslim community leaders, testi-
ed to prosecutors at the Kadköy courthouse
on Thursday on charges of violating the prin-
ciple of condentiality of an ongoing judicial
process and was transferred to the stanbul 5th
Criminal Court of Peace for arrest.
However, the reporter was released by the
court. “I was accused of violating the principle of
condentiality of an investigation into the Cage
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
lan]; they said we should wait and not take them to
Turkey. I saw this with my very own eyes. I was one
of the people who kept watch at the side of the pri-
soners. We brought the PKK commanders to a place
called “the committee” in Zaho, which was a com-
mand center for [Jalal] Talabani’s group. We were
told that they would spend the night there, and we
would take them back in the morning. Later, anot-
her order came, saying, ‘You people withdraw and
the peshmerga will wait, and then we’ll take them
early in the morning’.”
Beler says they left the PKK terrorists as
commanded with the peshmerga and returned
in the morning to nd that they were gone. The
peshmerga soldiers said they had escaped. “We
found out that they were taken to the Zala camp
in Sulaimaniya. Talabani took them there.” He
said that practically, the release of the PKK chiefs
gave the terrorist group a great opportunity, ad-
ding that an ofcer who is currently facing char-
ges in the trial of Ergenekon, a clandestine gang
charged with plotting to overthrow the govern-
HD Chairman Öztürk Türkdoan issued a press release in stanbul after the detention of more than 30 people in simultaneous operations in
several Turkish provinces against the KCK/TM, an organization accused of functioning as the urban arm of the terrorist PKK.
of the government, outside the consent of the go-
vernment or despite the government.”
Some gov’t advisors should at
least visit Diyarbakr once
On a similar note, the head of the Diyarbakr
Bar Association, Emin Aktar, said that the ju-
diciary is trying to shape politics.
“Some people advise the government
what to do. They tell the government that
if some people are arrested then everything
will be all right and pro-Kurdish politics will
be shaped according to the wishes of the go-
vernment. But those advisers should come
to Diyarbakr once in their life, observe how
things are here and reconsider their advisors’
advice after seeing the realities,” he said.
Hamit Geylani, an independent deputy
from Hakkari, said that the new party’s steps
in democracy and peace have been obstructed
in reference to the establishment of the BDP
to replace DTP. “Operations are a blow to de-
mocracy. They show that the opening was
closed,” he said referring to the government’s
democracy initiative to provide more rights
and freedoms to people including the Kurds.
The harshest criticism of the operation
plan,” Baransu told Today’s Zaman.
The Cage Operation Action Plan sought to
intimidate Turkey’s non-Muslims and assassina-
te prominent non-Muslim gures to put domestic
and international pressure on the Justice and De-
velopment Party (AK Party), which would in turn
lead to diminishing public support for the party. It
was exposed during a police raid on the ofce of
retired Maj. Levent Bekta as part of a probe la-
unched after the discovery of a large arms cache
in stanbul’s Poyrazköy district in April, within the
framework of the investigation into Ergenekon,
a clandestine organization accused of plotting to
ment, was responsible for the treason.
More disturbing disclosures came from Be-
ler: He said 4,000 Kalashnikov ries from Hun-
gary were sent to the PKK under the guise of
Red Crescent assistance to northern Iraq. “The-
se guns had been at a port for two or even three
years, and were brought to us. 4,000 Kalashni-
kovs. Now go to any PKK militant and look at
their Kalashnikov. You’ll see that the handle is
brown and the serial number has been led off,
since we erased all of them. The butt end is tur-
ned inward, and they all have brown handles.”
He remembers the day well: “We loaded
them in trucks and covered them with blankets.
We put Red Crescent ags on the trucks. In Zaho,
we transferred these ries to the PKK via [Mas-
soud] Barzani, Talabani and village guard A.U.”
Beler also insisted that these operations were
carried under the orders of the General Staff. “Who
were we there? We were completely under the or-
ders of Mete [the code name of today’s jailed Er-
genekon defendant L.G.] who in turn took orders
came from Diyarbakr Mayor Osman Bayde-
mir who said that they should not be classi-
ed as “doves and eagles.”
“Those who are scared of being unseated
from their positions as mayors and deputies
are despicable,” he said. “Whatever laws that
our 16 friends under detention transgressed,
we did the same.” On the other hand, Sedat
Laçiner, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based
International Strategic Research Organiza-
tion (ISRO/USAK), said that the operations
should continue because the KCK/TM is the
obstacle in front of the democratic initiative.
“The operations should continue to eli-
minate elements of the PKK. The KCK/TM
has not been active in the provinces that were
targeted by operations before,” he added.
Indictment details
KCK/TM structure
The indictment about structure the of the KCK/
TM prepared in May this year indicated that
the KCK/TM carries out judiciary actions aga-
inst some mayors who do not act in line with the
KCK’s views.
The illegal organization also has also “consti-
tution” which talks about plans regarding a “De-
overthrow the government.
The plan was rst exposed by Baransu last
month. Shortly after the revelation, the TSK
announced that a criminal complaint had been
led against Taraf due to its report on the Cage
plan. “A criminal complaint was led at the
Justice Ministry against the press organ in qu-
estion,” Maj. Gen. Ferit Güler said during a we-
ekly press brieng on Nov. 20.
In early December, Baransu was given the Se-
dat Simavi Award by the Turkish Journalists As-
sociation (TGC) for his groundbreaking reporting.
Mehmet Altan, a columnist for the Star daily,
CMYK
from a general. And that one was taking direct or-
ders from the General Staff.”
Beler said currently there were still generals
in the military who are part of Ergenekon. “Ho-
wever, I can’t name their names.” When asked
why, he said: “Because most of them are still on
active duty, and they are very powerful. Frankly, I
am afraid. Not for myself, but for my family. I have
children, I have relatives, my nephews and nie-
ces in Turkey, I am afraid for them. I can say this
much, there are two generals, a lieutenant colonel
and a colonel. They are 100 percent committed to
Ergenekon, and they are still active. What’s more,
there are dozens of sergeants.”
“There is only one reason I am talking now. I
am only talking for democracy, so that we can beco-
me a democratic country, like Europe. For so many
years, we have been so cruel to these people. Kur-
dish, Arab or Turkish, what’s the difference? Look,
here [in Norway] everybody has equal opportuniti-
es. Everybody goes to school, everybody earns their
money, nobody does anything to another.”
AA, MURAT KAYNAK
PHOTO
mocratic Republic” and “Free Municipalities.”
According to the indictment, the PKK’s Eu-
ropean representative, Sabri Ok, who is known
as “Amed,” had a phone conversation with Di-
yarbakr Mayor Baydemir asking him a favor.
KCK/TM members would pay frequent vi-
sits to the PKK camps in Kandil and share their
observations with their members, the indictment
stated. When the KCK/TM members talked abo-
ut the PKK they used terms like “organization”
and “movement.” And when they referred to the
imprisoned leader of the PKK, Abdullah Öcalan,
they used the expression “leadership.”
The indictment also indicated that the
KCK/TM takes orders from one of the senior
PKK leaders, Murat Karaylan, who allegedly
said, “Try to have the Kurdish people pour out
on streets and demand their rights.”
Sources said the KCK was restructured fol-
lowing an operation into the group on April 14
and they started to act upon Öcalan’s expression
that his prison cell was too restrictive. Then stre-
et demonstrations followed in which four peop-
le died. During the street demonstrations secu-
rity forces listened to the phone conversations of
the KCK members resulting in yesterday’s ope-
rations. stanbul Today’s Zaman with wires
characterized the transfer of Baransu to a court for
arrest as a “disgrace and a scandal.”
“Baransu is accused of violating the princip-
le of condentiality of an ongoing judicial process
with a news report, and a prosecutor demanded
that he be arrested. Under ordinary circumstances
Baransu would be ned. However, when the mili-
tary cannot squirm out of the plot row, it resorts to
other means. I have heard that the military exerted
much pressure on prosecutors at the Kadköy co-
urthouse to wear down the Taraf daily. We don’t
know what they did to the prosecutor or what they
threatened him with,” Altan remarked.
TODAY’S ZAMAN 17
Patriarchate drifting
away, says Bartholomew
As a follow-up to his controversial and much-debated
interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Greek Orthodox
Patriarch Bartholomew said in an interview with the Milliyet
daily on Thursday that his community is running out of oxygen
and that the patriarchate is slowly drifting away due to rest-
rictions placed on the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey.
Patriarch Bartholomew’s remarks, in which he likened
his treatment by the Turkish government to crucixion, led
to disappointment and anger in Ankara. Speaking to Milliyet,
Bartholomew did not take back what he said earlier, noting
that what he said was a “reality.”
Speaking in an interview with “60 Minutes” for a story
broadcast in the United States on Sunday night, Patriarch
Bartholomew said Turkey’s Greek Orthodox community
does not feel it enjoys complete freedom as Turkish citizens
and that it feels it is treated as “second-class citizens.” During
his interview with the Turkish paper yesterday, Bartholomew
said he used the word crucixion guratively, but that ever-
yone has gotten overly xated on this phrase. “It was suppo-
sed to mean we have problems,” he said.
Repeatedly noting that the Halki Seminary has kept clo-
sed for 39 years, Bartholomew said most of the metropoli-
tans in Europe are over 70 years old and that they expect new
men of religion from the patriarchate. Another issue that he
complained about during his interview with Milliyet was that
discussions and projects about the Halki Seminary are being
carried out in secret in Ankara and that the patriarchate does
not have any information on this. On the opening of the se-
minary, the leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians around
the world said the government intends to open the seminary
but “perhaps the deep state does not want it to be opened.”
“We are running out of people, patience and there is no
solution. If there were no pilgrims from Greece, our churches
would be empty. There are only 3,000 Greeks left,” he ad-
ded. Making mention of the Cage plan, a recently revealed
plot that aimed to kill non-Muslims to bring about chaos in
the country, Bartholomew pointed to an article published by
the Zaman daily to show that he, along with Armenian Patri-
arch Mesrob and prominent Jewish businessman Ishak Ala-
ton, were on the hit list. “What more can I say? Is this not cru-
cixion?” he asked. stanbul Today’s Zaman
Iraqi Kurds criticize
DTP’s support for PKK
Deputies from the now-defunct pro-Kurdish Democratic
Society Party (DTP) were criticized by a northern Iraqi jo-
urnalist for harming Turkey’s democratization initiative during
a conference in Arbil on Wednesday.
Sevahir Bayndr, Özdal Uçar and brahim Binici, who were
members of the DTP, participated in a discussion panel in Arbil
on Wednesday after visiting the Makhmour refugee camp. Af-
ter their speeches, Hasan Mustafa, a journalist from Kurdistan
Report, said the government’s democratization initiative was
going well but democratically elected pro-Kurdish politicians
were being controlled by outside forces. “Do you want to ght
against three countries in the region? Do you want to drag us
into a war, too? Your struggle should be with the Kemalists, but
not all of Turkey is Kemalist. Why you are unable to make your
own suggestions to the solution?” he asked.
After the closure of the DTP, its 19 deputies decided to re-
sign from Parliament. But after the leader of the terrorist Kur-
distan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, who is serving
a life sentence on mral Island in the Sea of Marmara, asked
them to remain in Parliament, they changed their minds.
During the panel at the Saranj Strategic Research
Center, Bayndr claimed that the government’s democra-
tization initiative is aimed at eliminating the Kurds. “The
initiative closed the party of the Kurdish people even tho-
ugh 2 million people voted for it. The closure of the DTP
shows that a solution of the Kurdish question by democ-
ratic means is not really wanted,” she said. Melik Duvakl Arbil
Adieu, Mr. Bildt!
contnued from page 14
Bildt was not alone in appeasing Serbian President Slo-
bodan Milosevic as a Balkan “capo.” He introduced the term
“collective guilt” for whatever Serbia was doing in Bosnia and
Croatia, where he was declared persona non grata, but he
went further, saying in his memoirs, “I had no way of knowing
who was responsible for what was happening around Srebre-
nica.” The words genocide in Srebrenica never passed his lips.
The families of Srebrenica victims were recently very out-
raged when they became aware that Bildt was implicated in
the early release of Biljana Plavsic, who was among the Bosni-
an Serb leaders most responsible for the killings of more than
8,000 of their sons, husbands and relatives.
In the end, Bildt’s wife, a Swedish delegate in the Eu-
ropean Parliament, gave all this a particular touch. She
was the most vociferous opponent of a proposal that wo-
uld grant citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina the right to
join those from other regional countries in being able to
travel to EU member states visa-free.
Who knows what causes lie behind Bildt’s controversial
behavior. Is it a more or less biased approach, as seen in his
dealings in the Balkans and in Bosnian affairs, or an unrealis-
tic desire to enroll himself among the most prominent Swedish
and European statesmen? Or is there is a personal complex or
even a simple human fear that he could lose his life, just as his
great compatriots Hammarskjöld and Palme did? In any case,
I have been unable to nd an idea of Bildt’s worth remembe-
ring, but I know an appropriate one from Hammarskjöld’s di-
ary: “He who wills adventure will experience it -- according to
the measure of his courage. He who wills sacriced will be sac-
riced -- according to the measure of his purity of heart.”
*Hajrudin Somun is the former ambassador of Bosnia and Herze-
govina to Turkey and a lecturer of the history of diplomacy at Philip
Noel-Baker International University in Sarajevo.
 18 TODAY’S ZAMAN F R I D A Y, D E C E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 0 9
TODAY’S LEARNING

10th & 11th GRADERS

REUTERS

Dear readers,
This week we give you some strategies for
PHOTO

writing a conclusion to your essay. Please try

these strategies and with enough practice your
writing skills will improve noticeably.

LAST WEEK’S SUCCESSFUL

ESSAY SUBMISSION
In the past, people tried something interesting to live longer
such as the alchemists who were trying to be immortal.
Throughout history, people have wanted to live longer.
Today, we can live longer with improved health ser-
vices and its effects on society.
As we live longer, we know
more from the old generation and
parent’s can tell their grandchil-
dren what they did when they
were young and it is crucial to
the new generation to learn their
traditions and something about
their culture.
Another good effect is experienced
people in their work. Thus, production is becoming more
productive and employers are becoming more experienced.
If people live shorter, they will retire earlier and there
will be no one to tell new employers how and what to do.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March
6, 1972), nicknamed "Shaq," is an
American professional basketball player,
rapper, actor, reserve police officer and a
US deputy marshal. He is widely per-
ceived as one of the most dominant
players in the history of the NBA.
Standing at 7 ft 1 in (2.16 meters) and
weighing 325 pounds (147 kilograms;
tionship with Bryant eventually went
downhill, leading to his trade to the
Miami Heat in 2004. He won his fourth
NBA championship in 2006, but was
traded midway through the season just a
year later to the Phoenix Suns. After a
season-and-a-half with the Suns, O'Neal
was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers,
where he is playing alongside LeBron
In addition, people become professional in their jobs
when they are around 35 or 40 and if they give up work-
ing, it will not make sense.
On the other hand the older population will have
increased and some of them will have gone to retire-
ment homes.
In our country, people try to help their parents, but in
some other countries, people do not care about their par-
READ THE TEXT AND CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER. ents and it badly affects old people.
Like everything, these changes have good and bad effects.
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
a. Compare O’Neal with other players.
b. Explain why O’Neal started basketball. (Minor changes have been made)
c. Advertise O’Neal’s successes. By Nesibe Kantar, Year 10
d. Give a brief look at O’Neal’s life. Ahmet Ulusoy High School
2. How did O’Neal use his strength?
a. To bully other players.
b. To contribute to his team’s score.

23.2 stone), he is one of the largest play-
ers to ever play in the NBA. Throughout
his 17 year career, O'Neal has used his
size and strength to overpower oppo-
James in the 2009-10 season.
O'Neal's individual accolades include
the 1999-00 MVP award, the 1992–93
NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-
REUTERS
c. To look down on his teammates.
d. To impress his audience.
3. He won most of his championships while with the ……… ?

nents for points and rebounds.
Following a standout career at
Louisiana State University, O'Neal was
drafted by the Orlando Magic with the
first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
He quickly became one of the top centers
in the league, winning rookie of the year
in 1992-93 and later leading his team to
the 1995 NBA finals. After four years
with the Magic, O'Neal signed as a free
agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. He
won three consecutive championships,
playing alongside Kobe Bryant, in 2000,
2001 and 2002. However O'Neal's rela-
PHOTO
Star game selections, three All-Star a. Phoenix Suns
Game MVPs, three Finals MVPs, two b. Orlando Magic
c. Los Angeles Lakers
scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections
d. Miami Heat
and three NBA All-Defensive Team se-
lections. He currently ranks fifth all-time 4. What does “accolade” mean?
in points scored, sixth in field goals, 15th a. prize
in rebounds and seventh in blocks. b. performance
In addition to his basketball career, c. points
O'Neal has released four rap albums, d. position
with his first, “Shaq Diesel,” going
platinum. He has also appeared in nu-
5. Which one is not in O’Neal’s career? THIS WEEK’S ESSAY TOPIC
a. rap
merous films and has starred in his b. acting If you had the time and money to invent something
own reality shows, “Shaq's Big c. reality shows new, what product would you develop?
Challenge” and “Shaq Vs.” d. kickboxing Use specific details to explain why this product is
needed.
Requirements of essays
Maximum number of words: 250
Essay format and use of formal written English is neces-
sary
Must be submitted by Friday of each week’s English
Corner

THE WAYS OF EXPLORING THE WORLD

Must have student’s full name, school and city
Remember to send your essays to ahmetulusoy2009@ya-
hoo.com
REUTERS

There are a lot of ways of exploring the world. Previously Write true (T) or false (F) for
the choice of the means of exploring the world was rath- each statement
er limited. It was confined to books and meeting other 1. There is no limit for choosing the
people. With the appearance of newspapers in the 17th ways of exploring the world. WRITING STRATEGIES
PHOTO

century, people had a chance to learn about current

events more quickly. The technical progress of the 20th
century made our planet a small world. Today, besides
books, traveling the world can be explored with the help
of mass media and the Internet.
Books are considered to be a traditional way of learn-
ing about the world around us. Books give information
about various subjects, and also introduce us to the experi-
ence of the present, past and future. From books we derive
all possible knowledge of arts and science. Textbooks and
manuals are written to give knowledge and information
about different special things. I think that books play a
very important part in our education.
Traveling as a way of learning also has a long tradition.
By traveling we get new information. It is very useful to
visit different countries and get familiar with different cul-
tures. Now a person travels in order to learn more about
the culture of the country he is visiting and compare the
real life of the people with the information given in the
books. Traveling is indispensable for learning foreign lan-
guages. Pupils go to different countries to learn a chosen
language. In European countries there are a lot of summer
schools. The effect is great. They don’t have a language
barrier any more. It should be said that now people travel
by car, train, plane, ship and spacecraft or on foot.
2. Our world is getting bigger day by
day because of the technical
progress.
3. One can learn something about the
time before and after the present.
4. Books are indispensable for our
process of teaching, training
and learning.
5. There is no way to obtain new
things by traveling.
Traveling, going from one place to another, gives a person
a kind of social experience. 6. One gets a lot of facts and details
Another phenomenon of the 20th century is the about different cultures by traveling
Internet. It is a brand new way of exploring the world. the world.
Through the Internet people get all kinds of informa-
tion. The Internet as a means of communication is very 7. It is unnecessary to travel to learn
convenient: A person can get a lot of information with-
different languages.
out leaving his apartment. 8. It is impossible to learn social expe
We cannot imagine our life without mass media. rience while traveling.
Mass media does not only give current information on
the situation in the world. The information received 9. While sitting at home one can learn
a lot of things through the Internet.
moulds the way of thinking. There are educational pro-
grams, which help pupils study history, geography, bi-
10. The way of thinking can be
ology and learn foreign languages. formed by information received.
Writing the conclusion of an essay
The final paragraph, which is the conclusion, should give
the reader the feeling of completion -- NOT a feeling that
the writer has simply run out of ideas or out of time.
Here are some functions a conclusion can serve:
To restate the main idea which was stated already in
the introduction
To summarize the main points presented in the body of
the essay
To show the importance of the points made in the body
Or to present one last very important reason why the
writer’s opinion is the correct one
EXAMPLE CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, I do not think that the size of a class is
very important. I think that learning depends more on
the quality of the teaching than on the number of stu-
dents in the class.
This is a very simple conclusion which restates the main
idea of the essay stated in the introduction and summarizes
the main point of the body paragraphs.

Last week’s answers: 1-F, 2-T, 3-F, 4-T, 5-F, 6-F, 7-T, 8-F, 9-T, 10-T/ 1-basilica, 2-epitome, 3- excommunication, 4- altar, 5- convert, 6- conquer/ 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a, 6-c, 7-b, 8-c, 9-a, 10-b/ 1-F, 2-T, 3-T, 4-T, 5-F, 6-F, 7-T, 8-F, 9-T, 10-F

CM Y K
 SPORTS Gasol signs contract extension with Lakers
Spanish forward Pau Gasol has signed a new multi-year exten-
sion with the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA team has said. The
club did not provide details on the contract but local media report-
ed Gasol had agreed to a multi-million dollar three year exten-
sion, keeping him with the team until 2014. Los Angeles - Reuters

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009

REUTERS, REBECCA COOK

ICE HOCKEY
Capitals beat Sabres
to extend East lead
The Washington Capitals extended their lead
atop the NHL’s Southeast Division with a 5-2
win over the Buffalo Sabres in Wednesday’s
‘Made in Turkey’
clash between two of the Eastern Conference’s
title contenders. Nicklas Backstrom had two
Galatasaray still too

PHOTO
goals, and Alex Ovechkin added a goal and
two assists for Washington, which has lost just
twice in regulation in 16 games on home ice
this season. Mike Green had a goal and an as-
sist, and Brendan Morrison also scored for the
Capitals. Buffalo, whose lead in the Northeast
Division was cut to four points, got goals from
Paul Gaustad and Tim Connolly. In Pittsburgh,
strong for the Storm Toronto forward Hedo Türkolu (L) drives against
Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva during their NBA game.
the hosts Penguins dominated Ottawa 8-2 to Frank Rijkaard’s makeshift all-Turkish side weathered the Trabzon Black Sea
ensure they go to Christmas equal top of the
NHL standings. Other NHL results: Pittsburgh Storm in their Ziraat Turkish Cup Group D opener at stanbul’s Ali Sami Raptors make
8, Ottawa 2; NY Rangers 4, Florida 1; NY Is-
landers 3, Toronto 1; Boston 6, Atlanta 4; Min-
Yen to remain in contention for a record 15th Turkish Cup triumph defensive stand,
down Pistons

TODAY’S ZAMAN, MESUT YILDIRIM

nesota 3, Edmonton 1; Montreal 5, Carolina 1;
Philadelphia 5, Tampa Bay 2; Chicago 3, Detroit
0; Dallas 3, Columbus 1; Phoenix 4, Anaheim 0;
St. Louis 2, Calgary 1, SO. Washington AP
SPEEDSKATING
Japanese skaters vie
for rich gold bonuses
The sponsor of a Japanese speedskating team
has pledged 20 million yen ($219,054) to any
of its athletes who win a gold medal at next
OKAN UDO BASSEY STANBUL
Defense is usually the biggest issue with
The Galatasaray Lions go into their the Toronto Raptors. Against the strug-
winter break with a winning men- gling Detroit Pistons, the Raptors acted as if
tality they hope to continue in the defense was their specialty.
season’s second half, after Frank Rijkaard’s Toronto won its third straight, holding the
makeshift “Made in Turkey” side beat the Pistons to 27.9 percent shooting in a 94-64
Trabzon Black Sea Storm 2-1 in their Ziraat romp at The Palace. The Pistons, who have lost
Turkish Cup Group D opener at stanbul’s Ali
Sami Yen Stadium on Wednesday night.
six straight, tied a franchise record for fewest
points in a regular-season game.
The Dutch coach risked the wrath of the “We had very active hands,” said Raptors
sports media and Galatasaray fans by allow-
coach Jay Triano, whose club entered the game
ing almost all the foreign players on the Gala-

PHOTO
year’s Olympic Games. Nidec Sankyo Corp., an ranked No. 29 in points allowed. “We had 27
tasaray quad -- Aussie Harry Kewell, Brazilian deections by our count and good energy. We
electronic component maker that runs a speed Elano Blumer, Argentine Leo Franco, Ivorian
skating team, has doubled its prize from the knew we were playing a team on a back-to-
Abdul Kader Keita, Congolese Shabani Non- back and that had traveled late, so we have to
2006 Olympics, team boss Shigehara Arai said da and injured Czech Milan Baros to leave
on Thursday. “I want it to be enough to build make sure we win the energy game.”
early for the Christmas holiday. When the Raptors play defense like this,
a splendid home,” said company president And so apart from convalescing Sweden
Kazuyoshi Yasukawa, who was quoted in the they don’t require big games from Chris Bosh.
midelder Tobias Linderoth, who came in as a Their star only attempted ve shots and n-
Yomiuri newspaper. Speedskaters employed late substitute for injured Sabri Sarolu in the
by Nidec include Japanese ace Joji Kato, former Galatasaray captain-playmaker Arda Turan (R) celebrates after scoring the second goal for his team. ished with 12 points.
82nd minute, Rijkaard elded an all-Turkish The Raptors are 11-0 when holding teams
world record holder and world champion in team against a full-strength Trabzonspor. The
“We [the players] do not make the decisions under 100 points and 8-0 when opponents
the men’s 500 meters, and Sayuri Yoshii, who 14 players, some of them unknown quantities,
or team selections and therefore have no right
ZRAAT TURKISH shoot under 40 percent. They also broke a hex in
was 9th in the women’s 500 meters at the last who featured for Galatasaray were: Aykut Er-
to question the coach’s decisions,” he added.
CUP STANDINGS this building, ending an 11-game losing streak
winter Olympics. Nidec will also pay 10 million çetin, Sabri (Linderoth 82nd), Emre Ak,
yen ($109,527) for a silver medal and 6 million Goals by Caner in the 40th and Arda in the GROUP A P W D L GF GA Pts at The Palace that dated back to April 2, 2003.
Servet Çetin, Alparslan Erdem (Berkin Kamil
yen ($65, 716) for a bronze medal. Yasukawa is 47th were enough for the Galatasaray Lions in 1. Fenerbahçe 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 “We knew this team was struggling com-
Arslan 76th), Mustafa Sarp, Ayhan Akman, 2. Antalyaspor 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 ing in and we really didn’t want to give them
putting up half of the prize money himself, with their bid to win the Turkish Cup for a record
Bar Özbek, Caner Erkin, Arda Turan, Aydn
15th time. Cameroon defender Rigobert Song, 3. Tokatspor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a window of opportunity,” Bosh said. “I didn’t
the company providing the rest. Tokyo AP Ylmaz (Çetin Güngör 90th). 4. Eskiehirspor 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
a Galatasaray reject, exacted revenge on his know it [the streak] was at 11 but I knew I
5. Altay 1 0 0 1 0 3 0
former team by scoring Trabzonspor’s consola- hadn’t won here, ever.”
BOXING Land of 75 million coaches Having Hedo Türkolu on his side helped
tion goal in the 54th minute. But it was too lit- GROUP B P W D L GF GA Pts
Turkey is a country with at least 75 million
Blood remains an coaches; everyone is a coach or at least thinks
tle, too late to save his team from humiliation at
the hands of another stanbul soccer aristocrat.
1. Ankaragücü
2. Galatasaray
1 1 0
1 1 0
0 2 0
0 2 1
3
3
Bosh’s chances of celebrating that elusive victo-
ry. Türkolu had just 11 points but his assist total
issue for title fight so. And if Galatasaray had lost, the Dutchman
For Trabzonspor, beaten 1-0 at home by 3. Orduspor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 matched that, the rst time he reached double
The fate of Manny Pacquiao’s planned March
would have faced criticism of unimaginable
Fenerbahçe in the league on Sunday, the jinx 4. Trabzonspor 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 digits in that category since joining the club.
dimensions from the millions of self-pro- 5. Denizli Bld. 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
“He knows how to make plays and we’re
13 megaght with Floyd Mayweather Jr. hangs against the stanbul “Big Three” continues and
fessed coaches in this country. doing a pretty good job of putting the ball in
in the balance over giving blood. Both sides there is no sign it will end anytime soon. The
But the end justies the means in the beau- GROUP C P W D L GF GA Pts
traded jabs on Wednesday over Mayweather’s Storm has not beaten any of the three stanbul his hands a lot more,” Triano said of Türkolu.
tiful game. The Galatasaray Lions won and so 1. Bursaspor 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
insistence that the two submit to Olympic-style soccer aristocrats in 11 matches, ever since its 2. Sivasspor 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 “When he has the ball in his hands, he
Rijkaard has not only been placed on a pedes- makes good decisions, whether it’s for himself,
drug testing amid indications that both were 2-0 home victory over Fenerbahçe on May 10, 3. Denizlispor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
tal, all his soccer sins have also been forgiven. 4. Giresunspor 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 whether it’s for [players rolling to the basket]
open to a possible compromise. With time 2008. This is what the record book says:
“Every player on the Galatasaray squad 5. Tarsus .Yurdu 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 or whether he picks apart a guy in the corner.
running short, though, Pacquiao’s promoter May 10, 2008 Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe 2-0
is a star and therefore eligible to play when- He’s 6-10 and he can see the whole oor.”
said he’s not willing to negotiate much longer
ever called to duty,” deputy captain Ayhan Sept. 14, 2008 Trabzonspor-Beikta 0-0 GROUP D P W D L GF GA Pts
to make the ght. “I think it’s over tomorrow Türkolu’s selessness led to plenty of
and we’re going to another opponent if there
said after the match, in defense of his coach. Oct. 19, 2008 Galatasaray-Trabzonspor 3-0 1. Konya eker 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 open looks on the perimeter, as the Raptors
2. Manisaspor 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
is no agreement,” promoter Bob Arum said. Jan. 25, 2009 Fenerbahçe-Trabzonspor 0-0 made 8 of 15 3-pointers. Andrea Bargnani had
3. st. B.Bld. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
“It looks to me like they want a way out Feb. 15, 2009 Beikta-Trabzonspor 1-1 4. Kasmpaa 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 two of them and also knocked down numer-
of the ght. Mayweather doesn’t 5. Beikta 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 ous two-pointers from 17 feet and beyond
March 15, 2009 Trabzonspor-Galatasaray 2-2
want to take a chance of losing.” while scoring a game-high 21 points.
May 30, 2009 Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe 1-2 Other NBA results: Orlando 102, Houston
A day after Mayweather’s camp Fener star
threatened to scuttle the ght Özer Hurmac Oct. 18, 2009 Galatasaray-Trabzonspor 4-3 87; Miami 80, Utah 70; Minnesota 103, New
celebrates Altay may be good for the Canaries’ morale, Jersey 99; Washington 109, Milwaukee 97;
unless the boxers were subject to Nov. 7, 2009 Trabzonspor-Beikta 0-2
one of his two now. But the question that remains unan-
random blood tests, Arum said his New Orleans 108, Golden State 102; Portland
against Altay. Dec. 20, 2009 Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe 0-1 swered is, “When will the Canaries win the
ghter would agree to just three 98, San Antonio 94; Denver 124, Atlanta 104;
Dec. 23, 2009 Galatasaray-Trabzonspor 1-0 Turkish Cup again?” Oklahoma City 117, Phoenix 113; Cleveland
blood tests. Las Vegas AP
Coach enol Günes, now at the helm of Two goals by man of the match Özer 117, Sacramento 104, OT. Auburn Hills AP
Trabzonspor for the fourth time, has seen it Hurmac and one by Mehmet Topuz complet-
SOCCER all before and therefore knows more than ed the Fener rout against poor Altay, whose
Vukovic vows to anyone that he has plenty of work to do dur-
ing the winter break in order to bring the
players were on the pitch as pawns of fate. India’s Karthikeyan
No one expects the Canaries to win the cup
seize 2nd chance Storm back to the desirable form again. this season, something they have not accom- eyes switch to US
Controversial Australian goalkeeper Danny plished in well over a quarter-century. Former Formula One driver Narain
Vukovic has promised to seize his chance Unto the Canaries But Özer’s superb performance on Sun- Karthikeyan is exporing opportunities to
after being recalled to the Socceroos squad. a star is born day against Trabzon and against Altay on join the US NASCAR series and has already
The Central Coast keeper, slapped with a The Fenerbahçe Yellow Canaries, as Wednesday means a star has been born unto tested with a new team, the Indian was quoted
worldwide ban for striking a referee in last expected, had no problems in beating the Canaries to take the place of legendary in local media as saying on Thursday.
TODAY’S ZAMAN, AYTEN KAYA

year’s A-League grand nal, has been called visiting zmir Bank Asya League 1 (sec- Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos, who has Karthikeyan, who became the country’s
up for the Jan. 7 Asian Cup qualier in Ku- ond division) side Altay 3-0 at their FB ükrü departed for pastures new. rst Formula One driver when he raced for the
wait. The 24-year-old was tipped to make Saracolu Stadium in Group A. So the Canar- Jordan team in 2005, had driven in the Europe-
coach Pim Verbeek’s starting lineup for the ies also go into the winter break on a high note Opening round results at a glance: an Le Mans Series in the second half of 2009.
rst time after an excellent run of form for after clinching the honorary title of “winter Group A: Antalyaspor 1, Eskiehirspor 0; “I tested for Starbeast Motorsports just
his club, Australian media reported. “It’s champion” at the halfway point. Fenerbahçe 3, Altay 0; Tokatspor (bye). three days ago at Daytona [international
well documented what I’ve been through,” But the fact of the matter is that the Ca- Group B: Denizli Belediye 0, Ankaragücü 2; speedway],” Karthikeyan told DNA news-
Vukovic told the Daily Telegraph. “It’s just naries have not won the Turkish Cup since Galatasaray 2, Trabzon 1; Ordu (bye). paper on Thursday.
good to be in a Socceroos squad vying for 1983 -- 26 long years to be more accurate -- Group C: Giresunspor 1, Bursaspor 2; Siv- Starbeast Motorsports is a new team in the
the number one spot. “I did what I did in the and therefore have become a laughing stock asspor 1, Tarsus .Y 0; Denizlispor (bye). ARCA racing series for stock cars. “It’s all open
grand nal and took a few steps backwards. whenever or wherever the Turkish Cup com- Group D: Manisa 2, Beikta 1; Konya now and I have lots of options. By January,
PHOTO

But I’m starting to get back up there and petition is mentioned. Beating straw-weight ekerspor 2, Kasmpaa 1; stanbul BB (bye). something should be nalized,” the 32-year-
things look a lot better now.” Sydney Reuters old from Coimbatore said. Chennai Reuters

WWW.TODAYSZAMAN.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009
Three days after Brittany Murphy
Redbox pulls passed out in her bathroom and later
died, DVD rental chain Redbox said on
grsly Brttany Wednesday it was pulling a poster depicting the
actress posing lifeless in a bathtub.
The poster promoted the direct-to-video
Murphy horror lm “Deadline,” which Coinstar Inc-
owned Redbox began carrying in its kiosks
move mage nationwide on Dec. 1.
The company said it started removing the
artwork following the death of the 32-year-
old actress on Sunday, and planned to com-
plete the job by Jan. 1.
“To my knowledge, it was art that we had
scheduled at all of our locations,” said Laura
Dihel, a spokeswoman for Redbox.
Murphy, better known for roles in such lms
as “Clueless” and “8 Mile,” suffered cardiac arrest
Cyrus becomes his dad in movie
Billy Ray Cyrus has been preparing his whole life for the role of
Daniel Burton in the Hallmark Channel movie “Christmas in Ca-
naan.” “I started digging through like old boxes of stuff and finding
old Polaroids of my dad from 1964,” he said. Nashville, Tenn., AP
REUTERS, JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER
in the bathroom of her Hollywood Hills home,
and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
An autopsy has been conducted, but the cause
of death has been deferred pending toxicology
and other reports. She starred in “Deadline” as
a screenwriter in a haunted house who uncov-
ers a grim secret. Thora Birch co-starred in the
First Look Studios release from writer/director
Sean McConville. Los Angeles Reuters
PHOTO
Johnny Hallyday
French rocker Hallyday
released from hospital
Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday has been re-
leased from a Los Angeles hospital where he under-
went a back operation earlier this month, his publicists
said. “The doctors judged that Johnny Hallyday’s cur-
rent state of health has improved and justies a return
home to his family while he continues to receive the
medical treatment he needs,” they said in a state-
ment on Wednesday. He will spend Christmas at his
home in Los Angeles with his wife Laeticia and two
daughters. Hallyday, 66, who had been due to resume
a concert tour in January, was admitted to the Cedars-
Sinai hospital on Dec. 7 suffering complications after
an earlier operation in Paris. He has begun legal ac-
tion to determine whether the surgeon who performed
the operation in Paris was at fault and earlier this week
submitted a letter to French judges declaring that he
had “come close to death.” Hallyday, one of France’s
most popular entertainers in a career spanning al-
most 50 years, is particularly famous for his energetic
live performances. His health problems have forced
the cancellation of the remainder of his concert tour,
prompting widespread speculation about the likely -
nancial impact for insurers and promoters. Paris Reuters
Parishoner owed $70
rams truck into church
Spokane County Sheriff’s said a 56-year-old man
was so incensed at a $70 repair bill he was owed, he
rammed his truck into a Spokane church. The Spokes-
man-Review reported on Wednesday that a parishio-
ner of the Country Crossroads Church, was arrested
on Tuesday after he slammed his truck into the church
building and ransacked the inside. The Sheriff’s Of-
ce said the tirade was apparently over a $70 repair
bill the church owned the suspect for electrical work
he had done. The man allegedly smashed nearly win-
dow, television, computer and light xture inside the
church. Pastor Dan Eubank said there was thousands
of dollars in damage. Eubank told the paper he tried
to pay the man with a check, but he wouldn’t take it
and he became enraged he couldn’t get the payment
in cash. The suspect was booked into the Spokane
County Jail for investigation of second-degree bur-
glary and malicious mischief. Spokane, Wash. AP
Woman calls 911 when
husband refuses to eat
Prosecutors will review the case of a woman authorities
claim has called 911 30 times over six months for non-
emergency reasons, including a call to complain that her
husband refused to eat his dinner. Over the weekend,
the woman allegedly made a pair of calls to 911, includ-
ing a hang-up and another where a woman was heard
screaming. Police were dispatched to the residence and
ofcer Paul Gonzales said police were told by her that
“her husband did not want to eat his supper.” A po-
lice report said the 53-year-old woman was also yell-
ing “about things that happened two weeks ago.” The
woman now faces charges of 911 abuse. Kerrville, Texas AP
Winehouse charged in
alleged theater assault
Singer Amy Winehouse has been charged in con-
nection with an assault at a theater, police said. The
26-year-old soul diva was arrested after she presented
herself at a police station with her lawyer, Thames Val-
ley Police said in a statement on Wednesday. She was
charged with a public order offense and common as-
sault under the name Amy Civil, following a Saturday
incident at Milton Keynes Theater, police said. Wine-
house was granted a divorce from her husband, Blake
Fielder-Civil, in July. She is free on bail and must ap-
pear in court on Jan. 20. Police did not provide details
on the incident, but British media have reported that
the singer allegedly struggled with a member of the
theater’s staff after heckling at a performance. London AP