Dateline - Turkey

One man's thinking on the current situation in Turkey - post Dink assassination.
A clear provocation
The timing of the incident, on the eve of negotiations on the “genocide bill” in the US Congress, raises many questions because our Prime Minister had said that if the law was passed it would harm relations between Turkey and the USA. In any case, Turkey is a considerably important country for the US under any conditions. Especially nowadays, while bogged down in Iraq and fighting with problems with Iran and Syria, the US cannot accept a distancing of Turkey. On the other hand, the Armenian genocide bill is an internal policy product of the US. The fact that it might be passed in the House of Representatives may inevitably pull Turkey away from the US. Meanwhile, Turkey may have disturbed many with its stance and attitude on Iraq and especially Kirkuk. There are persistent statements about a referendum later this year and Turkey has signaled its opposition and said it won’t remain passive on Kirkuk. Between Turkey and Kurds in northern Iraq the PKK is a web of problems in the two countries.

Currently, Turkey has entered into dialogue with Iran and Syria, without the consent of the US. Turkey is encircled by fire if we take into consideration the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Regarding the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, some groups in Turkey talk of a regime problem. Moreover, some EU member countries are using the Armenian issue as a tool for their interests against Turkey. They are making efforts to keep Turkey away from the EU. Meanwhile, the fringe of the Armenian diaspora is working in prominent countries to institutionalize recognition of genocide and justify their own struggle.

Sick. Sick. Sick. 14 year-old girl sold by her family for 6 000 YTL

Farmers living in the Eastern Turkish Province of Muş have sold their 14 year-old daughter B.Ç. in marriage for 6,000YTL to Süleyman Hazar, 32, of Denizli. The girl became ill as she was to enter the bridal chamber and was rushed to hospital, where she asked doctors to help her. B.Ç. was taken into protection after doctors at the hospital informed the police about the marriage.

Crusadin' in the rain. Just crusadin' in the rain! Rain-prayer controversy in Alanya

In the midst of the driest winter in many years, the southern Turkish province of Alanya has reacted with confusion and with faith. A protestant priest carried out a rain-prayer on the beach yesterday, follwed by the announcement that Mufti Muhammed Gevher would also perform a rain-prayer. Rain finally came an hour before the Mufti was to perform the prayer. This was not considered a reason to cancel the prayer, which took place as planned.

Fine by me. Fewer Turkish students studying this year in the US

The past year has seen a 7% drop in the number of Turkish students going to the US to study, says a report prepared by the International Education Institute and funded by the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. The "Open Doors 2006" titled report notes that while there are currently 11,622 Turkish students receiving their educations in the US, this is 7% fewer students than there were in the US during the 2004-2005 period. Despite this drop though, the US is still ranked eighth in terms of foreign countries where Turkish students go to complete their higher educations. The "Open Doors 2006" report also notes that the total number of foreign students studying in the US is currently 564,766 down slightly from last year.