NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 339

Preliminary Results of Local Elections

With 92 percent of the nationwide local election ballot boxes opened: AKP 42.2 percent, CHP 21.2, SHP 5,8 percent, DYP 8,2 percent, MHP 8,6 percent.

AKP Produces Mayors from 56 Cities

AKP got the mayoral seats of 56 provinces, out of a total of 81, CHP of 9 provinces, Democratic Union of Powers of 5 provinces and MHP of 4 provinces, Saadet and DYP each of one province, according to the returns of 54 % of ballot boxes counted.

Islamist and Right Parties are the Winners

The local elections consolidated the power of the AKP. According to semi-official results, the AKP gained nearly 42% of the votes against 34% at the legislative elections of 2002, very far from its nearer rival, CHP, which obtains 18% against 19% in 2002.

New Jerseys Guantanamo

The Human Rights Association and the Turkish Human Rights Foundation demand that conditions are met so that Ismail Hakki Avci, who was tortured in the U.S. can press legal charges.

29 March 2004 Yıldız Samer

Appeals Court: DEHAP Is Working For PKK

Nuri Ok, the Chief Prosecutor of the Appeals Court said that the protests staged by DEHAP against the imprisonment of PKK leader Ocalan, evidenced that this group had a connection with the terror organization.

Turkey-Greece : First Time in 30 Years

Turkey and Greece will attend the talks that will begin today in Burgenstock, at prime ministerial level. These talks will be the first since 1974 talks, which started with the watchword Ayse went on for a holiday.

Gen. Basbug Expects Concrete Steps by US

Second Chief of Staff General Ilker Basbug said that We expect a concrete step from U.S. to liquidate PKK from Northern Iraq.

Election Forecast: The Menderes Record

P.M. Erdogan will be the third leader joining two previous Turkish leaders Menderes and Demirel whose popular vote went over the 50 % threshold in general elections, a survey showed.

Gul: Heroism Leads Nowhere

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that he learned about the decision of Turkish Cypriot President Denktas from the TV. He said This issue can go nowhere with heroic speeches.

Nazila and Farideh: Deporting Iranian Women

Two Iranian women, who fled the oppression against women in Iran and came to Turkey, will be deported on March 20. The Refugee Womens Project of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees has called for an emergency action for Nazila and Farideh.

Lawyer Withdraws from Altunbas Trial Again

In the trial of the death of student Altunbas under detention, which began 13 years ago, yet another defense lawyer withdrew from the case. How is this trial going to end if a new lawyer comes to each hearing and asks for more time? asked the judge.

Oostlanders Report on the Turkey Adopted

Rapporteur Oostlander points out that the political reforms can only be judged on the basis of the actual implementation in terms of day-to-day practice at all levels of the judicial and security system and of both the civilian and military administration

Zana Refuses to Appear Before Court

The trial hearing held before the Ankara State Security Court on 12 March 2004 of Leyla Zana and her three co-defendants ended once again in an adjournment and will reopen on 2 April.

General Staff: No Registry

The General Staff announced that no one has been registered by the army and the issue has been distorted.

MGK on Politics and Civilian Life Continues

TIHV head Onen said the order by the Land Forces Commandership to the local civilian officials, demonstrated once again the threats against rights and freedoms in Turkey. He called on civilian initiatives to raise their voices for democratization and beco

12 March 2004 Burçin Belge

Ministry Against the Phrase Kurdish

Private Course of Kurdish Language and Dialects will open its doors on Saturday, even though the sides have not completely reached an agreement on the name of the course. Director Kurt said 300 people, half of whom were women, applied in one day.

Army Cant Send Order to Local Officials

Prof. Uskul said the Land Forces Commandership had no authority to send an order to the local civilian officials. The rights of citizens are being violated, said Uskul. The prime minister and government should do something about this.

12 March 2004 Burçin Belge

General Staff Confirms Intelligence Work

The General Staff admitted that it had collected information about certain people and groups, saying however that, this will be corrected.

Army Orders Intelligence on Civilllion

Distributing a letter to the district governors, the Ground Forces Commandment ordered Collection of intelligence about those who are pro-US, pro-EU and are from the High society.

CE Heads Toward Ending Turkey Monitoring

Council of Europes Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly recommends closing the monitoring procedure for Turkey. Ankara has fulfilled its obligations, the recommendation says. But post-monitoring dialogue should continue on 12 issues.

The Arrest Warrant Against Editor Özgüden

Despite the governments claims that journalists are no more indicted for opinion crime, the court, for the fifth time, renewed the arrest warrant against Özgüden. Ten journalists are still in Turkish prisons.

Ozuslu: Hopes are Up, Referendum is Close

Journalist Ozuslu believes that, the referendum process has begun. According to Ozuslu, those in Turkey and Cyprus, who want a solution, are jointly trying to keep Denktash on the negotiations table.

13 February 2004 Burçin Belge

Poverty Protestors Sentenced

A Turkish court sentenced 18 people, who attended a press announcement, to one and half year in prison. 23 teachers, who participated in a strike, were sentenced to 4 months in prison. The sentences of 22 teachers were late postponed.

11 February 2004

Journalists Fined in Turd Case

Journalists from the Yesil Gole, 23 Subat, and Kuzeydogu Anadolu newspapers, who were sued by Goles local official Gungor, were fined to pay 5 billion Turkish lira in damages. The journalists will appeal the decision.

30 January 2004 Erol Önderoğlu

Gn. Ozkok Wants to Become the President

General Ozkok is keeping the army within the constitutional framework. Hes denying every document leaked to the media. He never openly objects to the governments policies. He is at least trying to save the image.

15 January 2004 Merdan Yanardağ

PEN-IPA: Draft Press Law Contradicts EU Norms

Deeply concerned about the excessive levels of fines that are recommended in the latest draft of Press Law No. 4757 International Publishers Association (IPA) and International PEN called Turkish Minister to delete the related articles.

22 December 2003

Columnist Prosecuted for Criticizing New Law

A court began trying columnist Ruhat Mengi of Vatan newspaper, for criticizing a draft law to decrease punishment for rape and honor crimes. She faces 120 billion TL (USD 85,000) in damages.Womens rights activists lend support for Mengi.

19 December 2003

Denktashs Legitimacy may be Questioned

Denktash may appoint the leader of a pro-status quo party to form the government. Lawmakers may be transferred from pro-peace parties. Prime ministry could be handed to Talat; and a three-party coalition could be formed. Can Denktash resign? Can the

19 December 2003 Mehmet Hasgüler

Cyprus: Turkeys Key to the EU

If the UBP wins, Cyprus will be pushed into a deeper problem. This would also complicate Turkeys EU bid. If the opposition wins, it seems rather difficult for CTP to form the government in Cyprus. Solution seems to depend more on Turkey and the EU...

12 December 2003 Füsun Özbilgen

Human Rights Record Still Bleak

According to findings byTurkeys Human Rights Association (IHD), in spite of thorough reforms the number of torture and inhuman treatment cases increased while violations of freedom of expression decreased. Human rights situation still bleak in Turkey.

8 December 2003

IPA Attend Publisher Zarakolus Trial

International publishers support turkish colleagues freedom to publish. Ragip Zarakolu is accused of incitement to hatred on the basis of class, religion or race. The 12 September regime under trial edited by Caglar was confiscated in May 2003.

2 December 2003

Beyoglu: The Heart of Istanbul, Even Turkey

Beyoglu is like a collection album of many voices; old and new, dim and loud; voices of people coming from various cultural, social and political stands. Voices of past and present; in harmony or conflict but always interactive.

1 December 2003 Ipek Ozgul