Turkey shot down Russian bomber over Syria
- Thread starter RedFox
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angelburst29
The Living Force
German weapons supplied to Turkey are used by the country in its fight against Kurds.
German Arms Supplied to Turkey Used in Ankara’s Fight Against Kurds
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160520/1039998636/kurds-arms-germany-supplies.html
The weapons that Germany sells to Turkey are used in Ankara’s military campaign against the Kurds in the southeast of the country, lawmaker from Germany’s Left Party Sevim Dagdelen told Sputnik Turkey.
"Most of the weapons used in Ankara’s operation in southeastern Turkey come from Germany … These weapons are used against the Kurds, but Germany simply turns a blind eye to this," Dagdelen said in the interview.
According to the lawmaker, Europe "bows the head in front of Erdogan's dictatorship" in fears that Turkey might back out of its migrant deal with the European Union.
"This will last until the number of refugees [trying to reach Europe] decreases,"
Erdogan’s Law: Kurdish Parliament Members Stripped of Immunity
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160521/1040005613/turkish-parliament-passes-immunity-bill.html
"The bill targets 130 members of parliament. A vast majority of them are members of the HDP (People’s Democratic Party of Turkey)," Xulam tells Loud and Clear, adding that he believes Erdogan will use this bill to give himself sole control of the Turkish government.
"So what you’re saying is that President Erdogan, who has been acting as the head of state, in order to consolidate his power, had to first deal with the HDP, which is mostly Kurdish with progressive people in it," suggested host Brian Becker, adding that if the HDP were to remain a presence in parliament, "it would dilute Erdogan’s personal power," and that explains why Erdogan "scuttled the ceasefire with the Kurds, resumed war in Southeastern Turkey and now is attempting to strip immunity from members of parliament who are associated with the HDP, so that they can be arrested put in jail."
Xulam agreed, responding: "[Erdogan] wants to be the absolute ruler… he wants a pliable parliament. He wants a parliament that doesn’t want Kurdish votes."
German Arms Supplied to Turkey Used in Ankara’s Fight Against Kurds
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160520/1039998636/kurds-arms-germany-supplies.html
The weapons that Germany sells to Turkey are used in Ankara’s military campaign against the Kurds in the southeast of the country, lawmaker from Germany’s Left Party Sevim Dagdelen told Sputnik Turkey.
"Most of the weapons used in Ankara’s operation in southeastern Turkey come from Germany … These weapons are used against the Kurds, but Germany simply turns a blind eye to this," Dagdelen said in the interview.
According to the lawmaker, Europe "bows the head in front of Erdogan's dictatorship" in fears that Turkey might back out of its migrant deal with the European Union.
"This will last until the number of refugees [trying to reach Europe] decreases,"
Erdogan’s Law: Kurdish Parliament Members Stripped of Immunity
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160521/1040005613/turkish-parliament-passes-immunity-bill.html
"The bill targets 130 members of parliament. A vast majority of them are members of the HDP (People’s Democratic Party of Turkey)," Xulam tells Loud and Clear, adding that he believes Erdogan will use this bill to give himself sole control of the Turkish government.
"So what you’re saying is that President Erdogan, who has been acting as the head of state, in order to consolidate his power, had to first deal with the HDP, which is mostly Kurdish with progressive people in it," suggested host Brian Becker, adding that if the HDP were to remain a presence in parliament, "it would dilute Erdogan’s personal power," and that explains why Erdogan "scuttled the ceasefire with the Kurds, resumed war in Southeastern Turkey and now is attempting to strip immunity from members of parliament who are associated with the HDP, so that they can be arrested put in jail."
Xulam agreed, responding: "[Erdogan] wants to be the absolute ruler… he wants a pliable parliament. He wants a parliament that doesn’t want Kurdish votes."
angelburst29
The Living Force
Moscow submits documents to UN about names of Turkish companies that export explosive materials to terrorists in Syria
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78371
25 May، 2016 - Russia’s permanent envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin submitted on Wednesday documents; verified by chemical and scientific analyses, to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, prove that many Turkish companies have exported materials related to making explosives for the terrorist organizations in Syria, including the ISIS.
Churkin, in a letter sent to Ki-Moon, revealed the names of Turkish companies which export necessary components to ISIS to produce hand-made bombs.
Novosti quoted Churkin as saying “operations of analyzing the basic chemical materials of the bombs, seized at extremists in Ayn Arab and Tikrit, show that they were manufactured in Turkey.”
Turkey supplying Daesh with bomb components: Russia
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/25/467421/russia-turkey-daesh-syria-iraq
In a letter sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin noted that IEDs "are being widely used to commit terrorist acts" in Iraq and Syria, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
He said the analysis of chemical components of devices captured from Daeshis in the city of Tikrit in Iraq’s northern Salahuddin province and Syria's northern city of Kobani shows that “they were either manufactured in Turkey or delivered to that country without the right of re-export."
According to Churkin, five Turkish companies are providing aluminum powder, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide and other material to the terrorists. He added that another notable feature of the Takfiri-made IEDs is that they incorporate US, Swiss and Swedish components.
Detonation cords manufactured in third countries have been illegally resold through Turkey to Daesh fighters," he noted.
"These facts demonstrate that the Turkish authorities are deliberately involved in Daesh activity, as they are providing access to components for improvised explosive devices that are being widely used to commit terrorist acts," the Russian envoy said.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to the letter as "the most recent example of Russia's propaganda campaign against Turkey, and as such it cannot be taken seriously."
Turkey has on multiple occasions been accused of aiding and abetting militant groups operating in Syria with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms Takfiri militants there, and facilitates their safe passage into the Arab country. Ankara has also been accused of buying smuggled oil from Daesh.
'Worst Refugee Shipwreck': Turkey Deal Forces Migrants on Deadliest Route
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160526/1040318871/mediterranean-worst-refugee-shipwreck.html
Ruben Neugebauer, a Sea-Watch representative, told Sputnik that while the entire extent of the disaster remains as yet unclear, it was confirmed that at least three wooden boats carrying refugees capsized today.
"Sixteen emergency signals were sent in total. Sea-Watch was called to assist a capsized boat. While en route to the stricken vessel, we detected yet another capsized boat. Over 130 people were rescued and one of our cutters is currently retrieving the bodies from the shipwreck site," he said.
Neugebauer remarked that the total number of casualties is unknown. One of the Sea-Watch’s partner organizations reported that about 500 people ended up in the water and that unfortunately not all of them survived.
Sixteen emergency signals were sent in total. Sea-Watch was called to assist a capsized boat. While en route to the stricken vessel, we detected yet another capsized boat. Over 130 people were rescued and one of our cutters is currently retrieving the bodies from the shipwreck site," he said.
Neugebauer remarked that the total number of casualties is unknown. One of the Sea-Watch’s partner organizations reported that about 500 people ended up in the water and that unfortunately not all of them survived.
"It is clear that the extent of today’s disaster is much greater than that of any of the similar incidents before. And it means that just like the year before we do not control the situation," Neugebauer said.
He also mentioned that the capsized boats were carrying refugees from Syria and Iraq, which means that after the relatively safe migrant route across the Aegean Sea and the Balkans was closed, they had to resort to using much more dangerous paths on their quest to reach Europe.
Neugebauer pointed out that rescue operations cannot be considered a permanent way to resolve this problem, and that unless a political solution is found, similar disasters may occur in the future.
"Refugees once again have to resort to using the more dangerous route across the Mediterranean as a result of the deal between Turkey and the EU which closed the relatively safe route across the Aegean Sea. So the only way to solve this problem is to open the legal ways for refugees to reach Europe," he surmised.
PKK Fighters Claim Killing 16 Turkish Servicemen Over 48 Hours
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160526/1040315282/pkk-fighhters-turkish-servicemen.html
According to the HPG, the fighters attacked a Turkish military column in the Turkish southeastern province of Hakkari, killing two soldiers and injuring three, another four troops were killed in an assault on a garrison in the vicinity of the Hakkari's city of Yuksekova. Other clashes occurred in various location through the country's southeast.
The Hakkari province borders Iraqi Kurdistan mountains, where PKK fighters take cover to attack Turkish forces.
Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 as fighting between the PKK, the Kurdish pro-independence organization considered to be terrorist by Ankara, and the Turkish army resumed. Ankara has imposed several round-the-clock curfews in Kurdish-populated towns, preventing civilians from fleeing the regions, where the military operations are taking place.
EU Commission to Allocate $52Mln to Turkey to Tackle Refugee Crisis
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160526/1040307024/eu-turkey-refugees.html
The European Commission will allocate additional 47 million euros (some $52 million at the current exchange rates) to meet the needs of refugees in Turkey, the commission's press service said in a statement Thursday.
"Today, the European Commission is delivering on its commitment to accelerate the implementation of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey by announcing a further €47 million in new projects, bringing the total amount contracted under the Facility to address the immediate needs of refugees and host communities in Turkey so far to almost €240 million," the statement reads.
It was added in the statement that 27 million would be spent on "educational infrastructure, skills training and social support for Syrian refugees," while the rest of the sum aimed at enhancing capacity of the Turkish Coast Guard.
In mid-March, the European Union and Ankara agreed on a deal under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis. In return, the European Union pledged to provide a total of 3 billion euros to Turkey to help it deal with refugees, with a possible further 3 billion-euro provision in 2018.
Erdogan warns of scrapping EU refugee deal
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/25/467267/turkey-eu-erdogan-refugees-visa
"If that (the visa exemption) is not what will happen... no decision and no law in the framework of the readmission agreement will come out of the parliament of the Turkish Republic," said Erdogan at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Erdogan’s warning comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and the EU over a series of issues including the country’s anti-terror laws and its human rights track record.
"Our foreign ministry, our EU affairs ministry will have discussions with the Europeans. If there is a result then great. If not, then I'm sorry," he added.
Based on the deal, struck with the EU in March to stem the flow of refugees into Europe, refugees arriving on European soil via the Aegean Sea may be sent back to Turkey. For each refugee returned, the EU will take one Syrian refugee currently living in Turkey.
In return, the EU has made several commitments to Ankara, including financial aid, visa-free travel for Turks, and progress in its EU membership negotiations.
Over the last few weeks there have been growing indications that Turkey’s key demand will not be granted.
During talks held on the sidelines of the Istanbul summit on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had told Erdogan that the deal would not go through if “the terrorism legislation is not changed in the coming weeks".
Turkey formerly set the end of June as a deadline for the 28-member bloc to scrap visas for Turkish citizens, but sources in the EU said it is nearly impossible to meet the deadline.
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78371
25 May، 2016 - Russia’s permanent envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin submitted on Wednesday documents; verified by chemical and scientific analyses, to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, prove that many Turkish companies have exported materials related to making explosives for the terrorist organizations in Syria, including the ISIS.
Churkin, in a letter sent to Ki-Moon, revealed the names of Turkish companies which export necessary components to ISIS to produce hand-made bombs.
Novosti quoted Churkin as saying “operations of analyzing the basic chemical materials of the bombs, seized at extremists in Ayn Arab and Tikrit, show that they were manufactured in Turkey.”
Turkey supplying Daesh with bomb components: Russia
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/25/467421/russia-turkey-daesh-syria-iraq
In a letter sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin noted that IEDs "are being widely used to commit terrorist acts" in Iraq and Syria, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
He said the analysis of chemical components of devices captured from Daeshis in the city of Tikrit in Iraq’s northern Salahuddin province and Syria's northern city of Kobani shows that “they were either manufactured in Turkey or delivered to that country without the right of re-export."
According to Churkin, five Turkish companies are providing aluminum powder, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide and other material to the terrorists. He added that another notable feature of the Takfiri-made IEDs is that they incorporate US, Swiss and Swedish components.
Detonation cords manufactured in third countries have been illegally resold through Turkey to Daesh fighters," he noted.
"These facts demonstrate that the Turkish authorities are deliberately involved in Daesh activity, as they are providing access to components for improvised explosive devices that are being widely used to commit terrorist acts," the Russian envoy said.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to the letter as "the most recent example of Russia's propaganda campaign against Turkey, and as such it cannot be taken seriously."
Turkey has on multiple occasions been accused of aiding and abetting militant groups operating in Syria with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms Takfiri militants there, and facilitates their safe passage into the Arab country. Ankara has also been accused of buying smuggled oil from Daesh.
'Worst Refugee Shipwreck': Turkey Deal Forces Migrants on Deadliest Route
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160526/1040318871/mediterranean-worst-refugee-shipwreck.html
Ruben Neugebauer, a Sea-Watch representative, told Sputnik that while the entire extent of the disaster remains as yet unclear, it was confirmed that at least three wooden boats carrying refugees capsized today.
"Sixteen emergency signals were sent in total. Sea-Watch was called to assist a capsized boat. While en route to the stricken vessel, we detected yet another capsized boat. Over 130 people were rescued and one of our cutters is currently retrieving the bodies from the shipwreck site," he said.
Neugebauer remarked that the total number of casualties is unknown. One of the Sea-Watch’s partner organizations reported that about 500 people ended up in the water and that unfortunately not all of them survived.
Sixteen emergency signals were sent in total. Sea-Watch was called to assist a capsized boat. While en route to the stricken vessel, we detected yet another capsized boat. Over 130 people were rescued and one of our cutters is currently retrieving the bodies from the shipwreck site," he said.
Neugebauer remarked that the total number of casualties is unknown. One of the Sea-Watch’s partner organizations reported that about 500 people ended up in the water and that unfortunately not all of them survived.
"It is clear that the extent of today’s disaster is much greater than that of any of the similar incidents before. And it means that just like the year before we do not control the situation," Neugebauer said.
He also mentioned that the capsized boats were carrying refugees from Syria and Iraq, which means that after the relatively safe migrant route across the Aegean Sea and the Balkans was closed, they had to resort to using much more dangerous paths on their quest to reach Europe.
Neugebauer pointed out that rescue operations cannot be considered a permanent way to resolve this problem, and that unless a political solution is found, similar disasters may occur in the future.
"Refugees once again have to resort to using the more dangerous route across the Mediterranean as a result of the deal between Turkey and the EU which closed the relatively safe route across the Aegean Sea. So the only way to solve this problem is to open the legal ways for refugees to reach Europe," he surmised.
PKK Fighters Claim Killing 16 Turkish Servicemen Over 48 Hours
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160526/1040315282/pkk-fighhters-turkish-servicemen.html
According to the HPG, the fighters attacked a Turkish military column in the Turkish southeastern province of Hakkari, killing two soldiers and injuring three, another four troops were killed in an assault on a garrison in the vicinity of the Hakkari's city of Yuksekova. Other clashes occurred in various location through the country's southeast.
The Hakkari province borders Iraqi Kurdistan mountains, where PKK fighters take cover to attack Turkish forces.
Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 as fighting between the PKK, the Kurdish pro-independence organization considered to be terrorist by Ankara, and the Turkish army resumed. Ankara has imposed several round-the-clock curfews in Kurdish-populated towns, preventing civilians from fleeing the regions, where the military operations are taking place.
EU Commission to Allocate $52Mln to Turkey to Tackle Refugee Crisis
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160526/1040307024/eu-turkey-refugees.html
The European Commission will allocate additional 47 million euros (some $52 million at the current exchange rates) to meet the needs of refugees in Turkey, the commission's press service said in a statement Thursday.
"Today, the European Commission is delivering on its commitment to accelerate the implementation of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey by announcing a further €47 million in new projects, bringing the total amount contracted under the Facility to address the immediate needs of refugees and host communities in Turkey so far to almost €240 million," the statement reads.
It was added in the statement that 27 million would be spent on "educational infrastructure, skills training and social support for Syrian refugees," while the rest of the sum aimed at enhancing capacity of the Turkish Coast Guard.
In mid-March, the European Union and Ankara agreed on a deal under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis. In return, the European Union pledged to provide a total of 3 billion euros to Turkey to help it deal with refugees, with a possible further 3 billion-euro provision in 2018.
Erdogan warns of scrapping EU refugee deal
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/25/467267/turkey-eu-erdogan-refugees-visa
"If that (the visa exemption) is not what will happen... no decision and no law in the framework of the readmission agreement will come out of the parliament of the Turkish Republic," said Erdogan at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Erdogan’s warning comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and the EU over a series of issues including the country’s anti-terror laws and its human rights track record.
"Our foreign ministry, our EU affairs ministry will have discussions with the Europeans. If there is a result then great. If not, then I'm sorry," he added.
Based on the deal, struck with the EU in March to stem the flow of refugees into Europe, refugees arriving on European soil via the Aegean Sea may be sent back to Turkey. For each refugee returned, the EU will take one Syrian refugee currently living in Turkey.
In return, the EU has made several commitments to Ankara, including financial aid, visa-free travel for Turks, and progress in its EU membership negotiations.
Over the last few weeks there have been growing indications that Turkey’s key demand will not be granted.
During talks held on the sidelines of the Istanbul summit on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had told Erdogan that the deal would not go through if “the terrorism legislation is not changed in the coming weeks".
Turkey formerly set the end of June as a deadline for the 28-member bloc to scrap visas for Turkish citizens, but sources in the EU said it is nearly impossible to meet the deadline.
Turkey’s Erdogan slams Washington over US soldiers' use of YPG emblem
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/28/467852/Turkey-Erdogan-US-troops-Syria-YPG
Turkish rockets, U.S.-led coalition hit Islamic State in Syria: media
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-syria-idUSKCN0YJ07D
Media: Turkish army moved almost a kilometer deep into Syria
http://ria.ru/world/20160527/1439991418.html
Provocation? Turkish Military Advances 700 Meters Into Syria
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160528/1040421646/turkey-military-advances-syria.html
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/28/467852/Turkey-Erdogan-US-troops-Syria-YPG
Turkish rockets, U.S.-led coalition hit Islamic State in Syria: media
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-syria-idUSKCN0YJ07D
Media: Turkish army moved almost a kilometer deep into Syria
http://ria.ru/world/20160527/1439991418.html
Provocation? Turkish Military Advances 700 Meters Into Syria
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160528/1040421646/turkey-military-advances-syria.html
angelburst29
The Living Force
sToRmR1dR said:
angelburst29
The Living Force
In the beginning of this article, Sputnik has given an introduction to a May 31, 2013 article on the situation in the Golan Heights. It then lists an article dated May 29, 2016 with the current situation. Following this article, they have compiled links to a timeline between May 2013 - May 2016.
Situation in the Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/trend/situation_golan_heights_2013/
Complicated situation unfolded in the Golan Heights in May 2013. President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was ready to deploy its troops there to replace Austrian peacekeepers as part of a UN monitoring mission on the border between Israeli troops and the Syrian army. Austria said it would withdraw its forces citing an “unacceptable level of danger to its personnel.”
Hezbollah Prepares for Possible Escalation of Conflict With Israel
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160529/1040428723/hezbollah-israel-conflict-escalation.html
May 29, 2016 - The Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah is preparing for a possible future conflict with Israel, local media reported.
According to Lebanese daily As-Safir, Hezbollah was placing its rocket arsenal along the northern border with Israel and tracking the movements of the Israeli army.
The newspaper reported that the group was building several "sophisticated" tunnels on the border with Israel following the example of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, which had reportedly built several tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Hezbollah, established in the 1980s, is a paramilitary and political organization originating in Lebanon's Shiite population. The group initially aimed to end Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon. On May 25, 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon, which Hezbollah widely saw as its victory.
In 2006, a 34-day military conflict started between Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The conflict ended as a UN-brokered ceasefire took effect, and Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon.
21.04.2016 Netanyahu to Putin: Golan Heights to Remain Under Israeli Control
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160421/1038382282/golan-heights-israel-syria.html
28.10.2015 Apple of Discord: Golan Heights Oil to Add Fuel to the Fire of Syrian War
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151028/1029209074/golan-heights-oil-syrian-conflict-engdahl.html
29.01.2015 Israel Says Hezbollah Fired Russian-Made Missiles in Attack on Convoy
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150129/1017505872.html
29.01.2015 Hezbollah to Tel Aviv: No More Border Violence?
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150129/1017497666.html
19.01.2015 UN Peacekeepers Say Drones Attacking Hezbollah Came From Israeli Side
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017100360.html
19.01.2015 Hamas Says Israeli Operations Against Hezbollah Threaten Regional Stability
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017076980.html
19.01.2015 Iran Condemns Israeli Airstrike Against Hezbollah in Syrian Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017067979.html
19.01.2015 Hezbollah Vows Retaliation for Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017066479.html
19.01.2015 Strikes on Hezbollah May Be Israel’s Attempt to Prevent Future Attacks
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20150119/1017061153.html
18.01.2015 Israel Refuses to Comment on Airstrikes on Hezbollah Militants in Syria
http://sputniknews.com/military/20150118/1017058816.html
18.01.2015 Hezbollah Members Allegedly Killed During Israel's Strike in Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150118/1017054083.html
07.12.2014 No Causalities Reported at Damascus Int’l Airport After Israeli Airstrike
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20141207/1015594066.html
07.12.2014 Israel Refuses to Comment on Damasus Airstrikes
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20141207/1015593664.html
23.09.2014 Israel Downs Syrian Military Jet That Allegedly Violated Border
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140923/193191596/Israel-Downs-Syrian-Military-Jet-That-Allegedly-Violated-Border.html
31.08.2014 Israeli Military Downs Syrian Drone Over Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/military/20140831/192511096/Israeli-Military-Downs-Syrian-Drone-Over-Golan-Heights.html
31.08.2014 All Filipino Peacekeepers Escape Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140831/192493371/All-Filipino-Peacekeepers-Escape-Golan-Heights.html
28.08.2014 Unknown Gunmen Capture Over 40 UN Peacekeepers in Golan Heights – Media
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140828/192431666/Unknown-Gunmen-Capture-Over-40-UN-Peacekeepers-in-Golan-Heights-.html
14.07.2013 Mortar Shell From Syria Falls in Israeli-Occupied Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130714/182234879/Mortar-Shell-From-Syria-Falls-in-Israeli-Occupied-Golan-Heights.html
09.07.2013 Israel Ready to Discuss Russia’s Peacekeeping Offer – Envoy
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130709/182147088/Israel-Ready-to-Discuss-Russias-Peacekeeping-Offer--Envoy.html
27.06.2013 UN Prolongs Peacekeeper Mandate in Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130627/181918461/UN-Prolongs-Peacekeeper-Mandate-in-Golan-Heights.html
10.06.2013 Israel Tight-Lipped on Reply to Putin’s Peacekeeping Offer
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130610/181601948/Israel-Tight-Lipped-on-Reply-to-Putins-Peacekeeping-Offer.html
08.06.2013 Russian Journalists Under Fire at Golan Heights - Report
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130608/181578692/Russian-Journalists-Under-Fire-at-Golan-Heights---Report.html
08.06.2013 Russia Reiterates Golan Heights ‘Solution’ – Official
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130608/181576262/Russia-Reiterates-Golan-Heights-Solution--Official.html
08.06.2013 Russia Offers to Send Peacekeepers to Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130608/181569366/Russia-Offers-to-Send-Peacekeepers-to-Golan-Heights.html
06.06.2013 Syrian MP Says Damascus Free to Strike Israel - Report
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130606/181532411/Syrian-MP-Says-Damascus-Free-to-Strike-Israel---Report.html
31.05.2013 Assad: Syria Will Strike Back at Any Future Israeli Attack
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130531/181431883/Assad-Syria-Will-Strike-Back-at-Any-Future-Israeli-Attack.html
Situation in the Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/trend/situation_golan_heights_2013/
Complicated situation unfolded in the Golan Heights in May 2013. President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was ready to deploy its troops there to replace Austrian peacekeepers as part of a UN monitoring mission on the border between Israeli troops and the Syrian army. Austria said it would withdraw its forces citing an “unacceptable level of danger to its personnel.”
Hezbollah Prepares for Possible Escalation of Conflict With Israel
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160529/1040428723/hezbollah-israel-conflict-escalation.html
May 29, 2016 - The Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah is preparing for a possible future conflict with Israel, local media reported.
According to Lebanese daily As-Safir, Hezbollah was placing its rocket arsenal along the northern border with Israel and tracking the movements of the Israeli army.
The newspaper reported that the group was building several "sophisticated" tunnels on the border with Israel following the example of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, which had reportedly built several tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Hezbollah, established in the 1980s, is a paramilitary and political organization originating in Lebanon's Shiite population. The group initially aimed to end Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon. On May 25, 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon, which Hezbollah widely saw as its victory.
In 2006, a 34-day military conflict started between Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The conflict ended as a UN-brokered ceasefire took effect, and Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon.
21.04.2016 Netanyahu to Putin: Golan Heights to Remain Under Israeli Control
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160421/1038382282/golan-heights-israel-syria.html
28.10.2015 Apple of Discord: Golan Heights Oil to Add Fuel to the Fire of Syrian War
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151028/1029209074/golan-heights-oil-syrian-conflict-engdahl.html
29.01.2015 Israel Says Hezbollah Fired Russian-Made Missiles in Attack on Convoy
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150129/1017505872.html
29.01.2015 Hezbollah to Tel Aviv: No More Border Violence?
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150129/1017497666.html
19.01.2015 UN Peacekeepers Say Drones Attacking Hezbollah Came From Israeli Side
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017100360.html
19.01.2015 Hamas Says Israeli Operations Against Hezbollah Threaten Regional Stability
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017076980.html
19.01.2015 Iran Condemns Israeli Airstrike Against Hezbollah in Syrian Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017067979.html
19.01.2015 Hezbollah Vows Retaliation for Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150119/1017066479.html
19.01.2015 Strikes on Hezbollah May Be Israel’s Attempt to Prevent Future Attacks
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20150119/1017061153.html
18.01.2015 Israel Refuses to Comment on Airstrikes on Hezbollah Militants in Syria
http://sputniknews.com/military/20150118/1017058816.html
18.01.2015 Hezbollah Members Allegedly Killed During Israel's Strike in Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150118/1017054083.html
07.12.2014 No Causalities Reported at Damascus Int’l Airport After Israeli Airstrike
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20141207/1015594066.html
07.12.2014 Israel Refuses to Comment on Damasus Airstrikes
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20141207/1015593664.html
23.09.2014 Israel Downs Syrian Military Jet That Allegedly Violated Border
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140923/193191596/Israel-Downs-Syrian-Military-Jet-That-Allegedly-Violated-Border.html
31.08.2014 Israeli Military Downs Syrian Drone Over Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/military/20140831/192511096/Israeli-Military-Downs-Syrian-Drone-Over-Golan-Heights.html
31.08.2014 All Filipino Peacekeepers Escape Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140831/192493371/All-Filipino-Peacekeepers-Escape-Golan-Heights.html
28.08.2014 Unknown Gunmen Capture Over 40 UN Peacekeepers in Golan Heights – Media
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140828/192431666/Unknown-Gunmen-Capture-Over-40-UN-Peacekeepers-in-Golan-Heights-.html
14.07.2013 Mortar Shell From Syria Falls in Israeli-Occupied Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130714/182234879/Mortar-Shell-From-Syria-Falls-in-Israeli-Occupied-Golan-Heights.html
09.07.2013 Israel Ready to Discuss Russia’s Peacekeeping Offer – Envoy
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130709/182147088/Israel-Ready-to-Discuss-Russias-Peacekeeping-Offer--Envoy.html
27.06.2013 UN Prolongs Peacekeeper Mandate in Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130627/181918461/UN-Prolongs-Peacekeeper-Mandate-in-Golan-Heights.html
10.06.2013 Israel Tight-Lipped on Reply to Putin’s Peacekeeping Offer
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130610/181601948/Israel-Tight-Lipped-on-Reply-to-Putins-Peacekeeping-Offer.html
08.06.2013 Russian Journalists Under Fire at Golan Heights - Report
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130608/181578692/Russian-Journalists-Under-Fire-at-Golan-Heights---Report.html
08.06.2013 Russia Reiterates Golan Heights ‘Solution’ – Official
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20130608/181576262/Russia-Reiterates-Golan-Heights-Solution--Official.html
08.06.2013 Russia Offers to Send Peacekeepers to Golan Heights
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130608/181569366/Russia-Offers-to-Send-Peacekeepers-to-Golan-Heights.html
06.06.2013 Syrian MP Says Damascus Free to Strike Israel - Report
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130606/181532411/Syrian-MP-Says-Damascus-Free-to-Strike-Israel---Report.html
31.05.2013 Assad: Syria Will Strike Back at Any Future Israeli Attack
http://sputniknews.com/world/20130531/181431883/Assad-Syria-Will-Strike-Back-at-Any-Future-Israeli-Attack.html
angelburst29, sToRmR1dR and others following the thread/threads,
Wouldn't it be nice to have your own private news coverage of all the middle east and Ukrainian developments? Oh, wait I think I've found one. It's right here on the forum.
To me this is so valuable and revealing. I was thinking about Saudi Arabia and how they seem to be playing right along with Israel when I saw this post:
Now things seem to be shaping up so to speak. I almost think of Israel and Mossad as the "Third Man", always a bit in the shadows with no comments on their actions or statements.
Thanks for the continued work.
Wouldn't it be nice to have your own private news coverage of all the middle east and Ukrainian developments? Oh, wait I think I've found one. It's right here on the forum.
To me this is so valuable and revealing. I was thinking about Saudi Arabia and how they seem to be playing right along with Israel when I saw this post:
Now things seem to be shaping up so to speak. I almost think of Israel and Mossad as the "Third Man", always a bit in the shadows with no comments on their actions or statements.
Thanks for the continued work.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Neither Brussels nor the Turkish leadership currently want Turkey to join the EU, Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Deputy Director of Istituto Affari Internazionali and Special Adviser to the EU High Representative-Vice President Federica Mogherini, told Radio Sputnik.
Turkey’s Political Reforms 'Go Backwards', Hinder EU Membership
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160529/1040427753/turkey-eu-membership.html
According to a recent Sputnik.Polls survey, conducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion and the British Populus Company, the majority of Germans and Frenchmen don't believe Turkey will ever join the European Union, while 38 percent of Brits think that Ankara may become a member of the bloc within 10 years.
Tocci told Radio Sputnik that the accession process remains incredibly important for both parties, and that it is the EU's most important tool in order to stimulate transformation in terms of politics, economy and society within Turkey. However, she doesn't believe that the required consensus of all member states is possible at the moment.
"It's quite clear that at this point in time it is difficult to imagine that the 28 member states would accept Turkey's membership," she said.
Tocci named several reasons, explaining Europe's skepticism toward Turkey's membership. The first set of factors coming into play would be those having little to do with Turkey itself, including identity, culture, religion, she explained.
"It's clear that the whole debate about Europe and the EU has become a lot more focused on cultural and religious aspects, than it was ten or twenty years ago." She furthered. "The whole, if you like, Christianity versus Islam debate is something to unfortunately resonate amongst segments of a topic."
Another obvious reason would be the economy. According to Tocci, the EU, which also has undergone a deep financial crisis, is not very willing to accept a member poorer than most EU member states.
Tocci also mentioned Turkey's politics and its inability to bide by the EU's norms and values as a key factor. In order to move forward, Turkey would have to do something about human rights issues.
"It's clear that European skepticism toward Turkey has many causes, but one set of causes has to do with the general perception amongst both policy makers and the public that political reforms in Turkey have been moving backwards over the last years: increasing centralization of power, increasing violations of freedom of expression, the re-igniting of the Kurdish question," Tocci said.
As for Turkey, she believes that if there were a real possibility of membership, the majority would be in favor of joining the Union.
"Negative attitudes in Turkey towards the European Union have largely been the product of offence," Tocci explained, "'The EU doesn't want us, and therefore we don't want them'".
Even if Turkey did become a member, it would still be in question what aspects of the EU and what policy areas it would join.
"I can't imagine Turkey, for instance, ever becoming a member of the Eurozone," Tocci said.
The Sputnik.Polls survey comes at a time when Brussels has signed a refugee deal with Turkey. Ankara promises to take all migrants whose asylum pleas have been rejected or those who tried to enter the EU illegally. In return, Brussels will reward Ankara with 3.5 billion euros, grant Turks visa-free travel to EU countries and speed up Turkey's accession to the euro-bloc.
The feasibility of the deal came under question after Brussels criticized Turkey's recent anti-terrorism law, which critics say will be used to silence President Erdogan's critics and opposition.
A Challenge To Turkey, U.S. Special Forces Wearing The Insignia Of The Kurdish YPG !
http://novorossia.today/challenge-turkey-u-s-special-forces-wearing-insignia-kurdish-ypg/
The photos showed the US Green Berets wearing the insignia of the Kurdish YPG on their uniform, likely to be a topic of contention with US ally Turkey, who considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization. Pentagon officials say it is “fairly common” for US troops to wear other factions’ insignia. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that US special forces are aiming to “blend in with the community to enhance their own protection” by wearing the Kurdish insignia, while Col. Steve Warren said it was a “sign of partnership” with the Kurds.
The exact number of US ground troops in Syria is not a matter of public record, though Cook did concede that the number has “escalated” from the initial deployment of 50 troops. President Obama signed off on another 250 troops earlier this month, and Pentagon officials were angling for more almost immediately thereafter. Pentagon officials have twice confirmed US troops inside Syria participated in Kurdish combat operations, above and beyond the engagement shown in the new photographs. Despite this, the official narrative that they would never participate in combat operations remains unchanged, with some officials seemingly determined to keep up this pretense at all costs.
Different as Night and Day? Why Moscow, Riyadh Can't Find Middle Ground
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160528/1040403967/russia-saudi-arabia-middle-east.html
Although Russia and Saudi Arabia are making efforts to build a mutually-beneficial relationship, their goals in energy markets and Middle Eastern politics differ fundamentally, according to Nikolay Pakhomov, a New York City-based political analyst and Russian International Affairs Council expert.
"Current tensions between Moscow and Riyadh have two main dimensions. The Russian and Saudi positions differ, first, on the fundamentals of global energy relations, and second, on counterterrorism. Both dimensions have factors that obscure the full understanding of these differences," Pakhomov writes in his article for the National Interest.
The expert called attention to the fact that while Moscow is interested in freezing oil production together with OPEC, Riyadh's behavior during April's talks in Doha clearly signaled that Saudi Arabia puts its rivalry with Iran before the interests of global oil producers.
In contrast to the impulsive Saudi leadership that continues "to pump more oil in order to crush all its competitors," Russia is concerned "with the smooth functioning of global energy markets, including oil markets, and security of supply as well as security of demand," Pakhomov underscores.
To illustrate Riyadh's stance on the matter, the expert refers to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman' son and confident, who told Bloomberg that "he doesn't care if oil prices rise or fall."
One might say that the Saudi prince's statements are insincere, as Saudi Arabia is suffering a lot from the current slump in oil prices; however, Riyadh's actions speak louder than words.
In this context Russia hailed the creation of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to resolve the contradictions.
According to Pakhomov, the GEXF has become a successful international energy organization that differs a lot from OPEC.
"While OPEC was created as a cartel, advancing exporters' interests against those of importers, the GECF is an industry-specific organization aimed at improving the efficiency of global gas production through dialogue among professionals," he stresses.
At the same time international observers are expressing their doubts that Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 project aimed at diversification of the Saudi economy will ever come true.
Turkey’s Political Reforms 'Go Backwards', Hinder EU Membership
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160529/1040427753/turkey-eu-membership.html
According to a recent Sputnik.Polls survey, conducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion and the British Populus Company, the majority of Germans and Frenchmen don't believe Turkey will ever join the European Union, while 38 percent of Brits think that Ankara may become a member of the bloc within 10 years.
Tocci told Radio Sputnik that the accession process remains incredibly important for both parties, and that it is the EU's most important tool in order to stimulate transformation in terms of politics, economy and society within Turkey. However, she doesn't believe that the required consensus of all member states is possible at the moment.
"It's quite clear that at this point in time it is difficult to imagine that the 28 member states would accept Turkey's membership," she said.
Tocci named several reasons, explaining Europe's skepticism toward Turkey's membership. The first set of factors coming into play would be those having little to do with Turkey itself, including identity, culture, religion, she explained.
"It's clear that the whole debate about Europe and the EU has become a lot more focused on cultural and religious aspects, than it was ten or twenty years ago." She furthered. "The whole, if you like, Christianity versus Islam debate is something to unfortunately resonate amongst segments of a topic."
Another obvious reason would be the economy. According to Tocci, the EU, which also has undergone a deep financial crisis, is not very willing to accept a member poorer than most EU member states.
Tocci also mentioned Turkey's politics and its inability to bide by the EU's norms and values as a key factor. In order to move forward, Turkey would have to do something about human rights issues.
"It's clear that European skepticism toward Turkey has many causes, but one set of causes has to do with the general perception amongst both policy makers and the public that political reforms in Turkey have been moving backwards over the last years: increasing centralization of power, increasing violations of freedom of expression, the re-igniting of the Kurdish question," Tocci said.
As for Turkey, she believes that if there were a real possibility of membership, the majority would be in favor of joining the Union.
"Negative attitudes in Turkey towards the European Union have largely been the product of offence," Tocci explained, "'The EU doesn't want us, and therefore we don't want them'".
Even if Turkey did become a member, it would still be in question what aspects of the EU and what policy areas it would join.
"I can't imagine Turkey, for instance, ever becoming a member of the Eurozone," Tocci said.
The Sputnik.Polls survey comes at a time when Brussels has signed a refugee deal with Turkey. Ankara promises to take all migrants whose asylum pleas have been rejected or those who tried to enter the EU illegally. In return, Brussels will reward Ankara with 3.5 billion euros, grant Turks visa-free travel to EU countries and speed up Turkey's accession to the euro-bloc.
The feasibility of the deal came under question after Brussels criticized Turkey's recent anti-terrorism law, which critics say will be used to silence President Erdogan's critics and opposition.
A Challenge To Turkey, U.S. Special Forces Wearing The Insignia Of The Kurdish YPG !
http://novorossia.today/challenge-turkey-u-s-special-forces-wearing-insignia-kurdish-ypg/
The photos showed the US Green Berets wearing the insignia of the Kurdish YPG on their uniform, likely to be a topic of contention with US ally Turkey, who considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization. Pentagon officials say it is “fairly common” for US troops to wear other factions’ insignia. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that US special forces are aiming to “blend in with the community to enhance their own protection” by wearing the Kurdish insignia, while Col. Steve Warren said it was a “sign of partnership” with the Kurds.
The exact number of US ground troops in Syria is not a matter of public record, though Cook did concede that the number has “escalated” from the initial deployment of 50 troops. President Obama signed off on another 250 troops earlier this month, and Pentagon officials were angling for more almost immediately thereafter. Pentagon officials have twice confirmed US troops inside Syria participated in Kurdish combat operations, above and beyond the engagement shown in the new photographs. Despite this, the official narrative that they would never participate in combat operations remains unchanged, with some officials seemingly determined to keep up this pretense at all costs.
Different as Night and Day? Why Moscow, Riyadh Can't Find Middle Ground
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160528/1040403967/russia-saudi-arabia-middle-east.html
Although Russia and Saudi Arabia are making efforts to build a mutually-beneficial relationship, their goals in energy markets and Middle Eastern politics differ fundamentally, according to Nikolay Pakhomov, a New York City-based political analyst and Russian International Affairs Council expert.
"Current tensions between Moscow and Riyadh have two main dimensions. The Russian and Saudi positions differ, first, on the fundamentals of global energy relations, and second, on counterterrorism. Both dimensions have factors that obscure the full understanding of these differences," Pakhomov writes in his article for the National Interest.
The expert called attention to the fact that while Moscow is interested in freezing oil production together with OPEC, Riyadh's behavior during April's talks in Doha clearly signaled that Saudi Arabia puts its rivalry with Iran before the interests of global oil producers.
In contrast to the impulsive Saudi leadership that continues "to pump more oil in order to crush all its competitors," Russia is concerned "with the smooth functioning of global energy markets, including oil markets, and security of supply as well as security of demand," Pakhomov underscores.
To illustrate Riyadh's stance on the matter, the expert refers to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman' son and confident, who told Bloomberg that "he doesn't care if oil prices rise or fall."
One might say that the Saudi prince's statements are insincere, as Saudi Arabia is suffering a lot from the current slump in oil prices; however, Riyadh's actions speak louder than words.
In this context Russia hailed the creation of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to resolve the contradictions.
According to Pakhomov, the GEXF has become a successful international energy organization that differs a lot from OPEC.
"While OPEC was created as a cartel, advancing exporters' interests against those of importers, the GECF is an industry-specific organization aimed at improving the efficiency of global gas production through dialogue among professionals," he stresses.
At the same time international observers are expressing their doubts that Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 project aimed at diversification of the Saudi economy will ever come true.
angelburst29
The Living Force
About 6,000 doses of vaccines for children coming from Turkey entered areas in the northwestern countryside of Aleppo where terrorist organizations are active during the past few days.
Thousands of vaccines coming from Turkey enter terrorist-controlled areas in Aleppo countryside
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78731
Local sources told SANA reporter that the locals refused to give vaccines to their children for fear of them being corrupt or inconsistent with health conditions in terms of quality, expiry date, reliability, the producing company and the way they are saved and transferred.
On September 16 2014, fake health establishments linked to terrorist organizations in cooperation with the
Turkish authorities vaccinated children in the eastern areas of Maaret al-Nouman in Idleb countryside with corrupt, polluted and poisoned vaccines for measles, killing 15 children who died immediately after being vaccinated while scores others suffered from suffocation.
In a relevant context, the Ministry of Health called on locals in the areas near the joint border with Turkey not to deal with any medicines or vaccines which enter their areas by the Turkish authorities, asserting that the ministry will spare no effort in providing locals with medical needs especially vaccines for children through all available means in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and other international organizations concerned with health affairs in the Syrian territories.
The ministry said that it takes into account the fact that giving the vaccines to children requires strict standards, technical conditions, skills and expertise by specialized medical staffs.
The fate of all Europe lies in Turkey's hands
http://www.pravdareport.com/world/europe/18-05-2016/134464-europe_turkey-0/
Presidents of Turkey and the European Commission, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jean-Claude Juncker exchanged harsh statements about the abolishment of the visa regime for Turkey. Juncker demanded Turkey should amend its anti-terrorism law, making Erdogan explode in response: "Since when does the EU administer Turkey? We'll go our way, you'll go yours," he said.
Pravda.Ru conducted an interview with Scientific Director of the German-Russian Forum, journalist Alexander Rahr, about the political bickering between Turkey and the European Union.
"What is it in the Turkish law on anti-terrorism that the EU is unhappy with?"
"There many things in the Turkish legislation that the Europeans do not like. Prior to the refugee crisis in Europe, the EU saw Turkey as an authoritarian country that could in no way become a member of the European Union because of its domestic laws. It goes about restrictions of freedom of expression and political action, persecution of journalists and opposition politicians. The EU had the same opinion about other countries as well, including Russia, during the time of the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya. Now Turkey gets criticized for its anti-terrorist operations against the Kurds on the Turkish territory.
"Today, Germany demands other countries should conduct a very specific dialogue with Turkey about the visa-free regime with the EU and the establishment of close trade relations.
"In general, the EU turns a blind eye on many things, because Turkey is the only country that can save Mrs. Merkel and many Western politicians, if it keeps the border with the European Union locked. Turkey has closed borders with the Balkan countries. Refugees can no longer penetrate the EU as they could last year. The number of refugees has been decreasing steadily, and Angela Merkel and other European leaders can say it to their voters.
"Germany will hold federal elections next year, which is very important for Mrs. Merkel. Politicians say that they keep the situation under control. They assure people that there will be no islamization of Europe.
Erdogan can make EU give up on liberal values "Of course, Erdogan is well aware of all this, as he is an experienced and powerful politician. He will not do it for free or for some 3-6 billion. He wants the EU to fully recognize Turkey. He sues German journalists and satirists who dare to attack him; he explains that he will no longer be an object of EU's criticism.
"Now he will intervene directly in the affairs of the European Union. He will dictate his conditions to the Europeans. What we can see is a very tough conversation of the authoritarian politician with the EU. Erdogan clings to his ideology and values, and he is determined to defend them to the last. We will soon see whether the EU can make Erdogan accept European values. It is also possible, though, that Erdogan will convince the EU to accept Turkey as it is."
The Turkish president has also delivered an ultimatum: either visas are abolished in October, or Turkey terminates the agreement on the readmission of refugees. Many EU member states are opposed to the agreement with Turkey. The Czech parliament announced hearings about the withdrawal from the EU in this connection. What is in store for this conflict? "There will be a major clash of interests. Europe shares liberal values, and European countries want their partners to accept these values. If there is no such acceptance, there is no friendship, the EU says. Yet, the refugee crisis forces Europe to make concessions. There will be a moment, when the fate of the European Union is at stake.
In the European Union, there are member states that already disagree with each other, and the crisis will aggravate. We can see dramatic events unfolding in the EU. "The Austrian Chancellor has resigned after the Austrians started to vote for right-populist parties. Those parties have been on the rise in Germany and other EU states. European leaders have made their careers on liberal values. They keep preaching these values and do not know another way how to rule their countries.
At the same time, there are other values coming to Europe from the Arab world. Some EU countries may close their borders and change governments to conduct their own policies against the islamization of Europe.
Refugees change European identity "Other countries will never do it. They will do their best to come to terms with Islam. The European Union needs to find a new stronghold for its identity. It will be a very, very complicated process with the participation of a multitude of non-governmental organizations, parties, cultural institutions, churches and other organizations. No one knows how to do it properly, though."
"Was it a correct decision to make, when they made Turkey responsible for the solution of the refugee crisis? Why couldn't they support the Syrian economy instead?"
The economy and infrastructure in Syria has been destroyed completely. The country lives in a state of civil war. Terrorists, the Islamic State, control nearly a half of its territory. It is hard to imagine how it could be possible to support the Syrian economy under such conditions. We can see how many billions have been spent on attempts to recover Afghanistan and Libya, but it was absolutely pointless. Libya continues plunging into chaos. "Turkey, after all, is still a very workable economy, and it is clear what it will use the money for: army and border strengthening.
Turkey is not the only country that will be asking more from the EU. Greece is next. It will soon announce its decision not to follow instructions from the IMF. Look at what is happening between Austria and Italy. Austria closes Brenner - the main gateway to the north of Europe, and stations Austrian soldiers there to stop crowds of refugees."Liberal values dominate the EU and no European politician will ever fire a gun at refugees. They can not build fences and walls either, because that would mark the end of the liberal Europe. The only way out is to pay huge money for it. For today's EU, money is the best defense against refugees."
Ankara-Washington Gaps Widening over Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950309000788
"I condemn the US army's supports for the YPG. Our allies and friends in NATO should not engage their forces in the Syrian crisis or wear the batches of the YPG fighters," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in the Kurdish-populated regions South of Turkey.
The AFP also released the photos of the US soldiers wearing the YPG patches in Raqqa battlefields.
"Ankara considers the YPG an offshoot of the PKK who are fighting the Turkish government," the Turkish president said, adding, "There is no difference among YPG, PKK and the ISIL."
The Turkish president accused the White House of disloyalty towards Ankara.
In the meantime, a US State Department Spokesperson said on Friday that the United States will continue to work with Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units despite Turkey’s concerns.
Thousands of vaccines coming from Turkey enter terrorist-controlled areas in Aleppo countryside
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78731
Local sources told SANA reporter that the locals refused to give vaccines to their children for fear of them being corrupt or inconsistent with health conditions in terms of quality, expiry date, reliability, the producing company and the way they are saved and transferred.
On September 16 2014, fake health establishments linked to terrorist organizations in cooperation with the
Turkish authorities vaccinated children in the eastern areas of Maaret al-Nouman in Idleb countryside with corrupt, polluted and poisoned vaccines for measles, killing 15 children who died immediately after being vaccinated while scores others suffered from suffocation.
In a relevant context, the Ministry of Health called on locals in the areas near the joint border with Turkey not to deal with any medicines or vaccines which enter their areas by the Turkish authorities, asserting that the ministry will spare no effort in providing locals with medical needs especially vaccines for children through all available means in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and other international organizations concerned with health affairs in the Syrian territories.
The ministry said that it takes into account the fact that giving the vaccines to children requires strict standards, technical conditions, skills and expertise by specialized medical staffs.
The fate of all Europe lies in Turkey's hands
http://www.pravdareport.com/world/europe/18-05-2016/134464-europe_turkey-0/
Presidents of Turkey and the European Commission, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jean-Claude Juncker exchanged harsh statements about the abolishment of the visa regime for Turkey. Juncker demanded Turkey should amend its anti-terrorism law, making Erdogan explode in response: "Since when does the EU administer Turkey? We'll go our way, you'll go yours," he said.
Pravda.Ru conducted an interview with Scientific Director of the German-Russian Forum, journalist Alexander Rahr, about the political bickering between Turkey and the European Union.
"What is it in the Turkish law on anti-terrorism that the EU is unhappy with?"
"There many things in the Turkish legislation that the Europeans do not like. Prior to the refugee crisis in Europe, the EU saw Turkey as an authoritarian country that could in no way become a member of the European Union because of its domestic laws. It goes about restrictions of freedom of expression and political action, persecution of journalists and opposition politicians. The EU had the same opinion about other countries as well, including Russia, during the time of the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya. Now Turkey gets criticized for its anti-terrorist operations against the Kurds on the Turkish territory.
"Today, Germany demands other countries should conduct a very specific dialogue with Turkey about the visa-free regime with the EU and the establishment of close trade relations.
"In general, the EU turns a blind eye on many things, because Turkey is the only country that can save Mrs. Merkel and many Western politicians, if it keeps the border with the European Union locked. Turkey has closed borders with the Balkan countries. Refugees can no longer penetrate the EU as they could last year. The number of refugees has been decreasing steadily, and Angela Merkel and other European leaders can say it to their voters.
"Germany will hold federal elections next year, which is very important for Mrs. Merkel. Politicians say that they keep the situation under control. They assure people that there will be no islamization of Europe.
Erdogan can make EU give up on liberal values "Of course, Erdogan is well aware of all this, as he is an experienced and powerful politician. He will not do it for free or for some 3-6 billion. He wants the EU to fully recognize Turkey. He sues German journalists and satirists who dare to attack him; he explains that he will no longer be an object of EU's criticism.
"Now he will intervene directly in the affairs of the European Union. He will dictate his conditions to the Europeans. What we can see is a very tough conversation of the authoritarian politician with the EU. Erdogan clings to his ideology and values, and he is determined to defend them to the last. We will soon see whether the EU can make Erdogan accept European values. It is also possible, though, that Erdogan will convince the EU to accept Turkey as it is."
The Turkish president has also delivered an ultimatum: either visas are abolished in October, or Turkey terminates the agreement on the readmission of refugees. Many EU member states are opposed to the agreement with Turkey. The Czech parliament announced hearings about the withdrawal from the EU in this connection. What is in store for this conflict? "There will be a major clash of interests. Europe shares liberal values, and European countries want their partners to accept these values. If there is no such acceptance, there is no friendship, the EU says. Yet, the refugee crisis forces Europe to make concessions. There will be a moment, when the fate of the European Union is at stake.
In the European Union, there are member states that already disagree with each other, and the crisis will aggravate. We can see dramatic events unfolding in the EU. "The Austrian Chancellor has resigned after the Austrians started to vote for right-populist parties. Those parties have been on the rise in Germany and other EU states. European leaders have made their careers on liberal values. They keep preaching these values and do not know another way how to rule their countries.
At the same time, there are other values coming to Europe from the Arab world. Some EU countries may close their borders and change governments to conduct their own policies against the islamization of Europe.
Refugees change European identity "Other countries will never do it. They will do their best to come to terms with Islam. The European Union needs to find a new stronghold for its identity. It will be a very, very complicated process with the participation of a multitude of non-governmental organizations, parties, cultural institutions, churches and other organizations. No one knows how to do it properly, though."
"Was it a correct decision to make, when they made Turkey responsible for the solution of the refugee crisis? Why couldn't they support the Syrian economy instead?"
The economy and infrastructure in Syria has been destroyed completely. The country lives in a state of civil war. Terrorists, the Islamic State, control nearly a half of its territory. It is hard to imagine how it could be possible to support the Syrian economy under such conditions. We can see how many billions have been spent on attempts to recover Afghanistan and Libya, but it was absolutely pointless. Libya continues plunging into chaos. "Turkey, after all, is still a very workable economy, and it is clear what it will use the money for: army and border strengthening.
Turkey is not the only country that will be asking more from the EU. Greece is next. It will soon announce its decision not to follow instructions from the IMF. Look at what is happening between Austria and Italy. Austria closes Brenner - the main gateway to the north of Europe, and stations Austrian soldiers there to stop crowds of refugees."Liberal values dominate the EU and no European politician will ever fire a gun at refugees. They can not build fences and walls either, because that would mark the end of the liberal Europe. The only way out is to pay huge money for it. For today's EU, money is the best defense against refugees."
Ankara-Washington Gaps Widening over Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950309000788
"I condemn the US army's supports for the YPG. Our allies and friends in NATO should not engage their forces in the Syrian crisis or wear the batches of the YPG fighters," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in the Kurdish-populated regions South of Turkey.
The AFP also released the photos of the US soldiers wearing the YPG patches in Raqqa battlefields.
"Ankara considers the YPG an offshoot of the PKK who are fighting the Turkish government," the Turkish president said, adding, "There is no difference among YPG, PKK and the ISIL."
The Turkish president accused the White House of disloyalty towards Ankara.
In the meantime, a US State Department Spokesperson said on Friday that the United States will continue to work with Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units despite Turkey’s concerns.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Authorities in Aleppo on Saturday seized a truck loaded with more than 25 tons of supplies for field hospitals coming from the Turkish territories to be sent to ISIS terrorists and other terrorist groups affiliated to it.
Authorities seize truck loaded with over 25 tons of medical supplies for ISIS coming from Turkey
http://sana.sy/en/?p=77893
A source in Aleppo said in a statement to SANA’s reporter that after monitoring and investigating al-Yaman, a Turkish medical company, the authorities seized a truck loaded with more than 25 tons of supplies for field hospitals worth more than USD 100,000.
“Al-Yaman Company in Istanbul is sending medicine, equipment, and medical supplies to ISIS organization in Manbej and Mosul and to other terrorist groups, the source explained.
Authorities arrested the terrorist Abdelrahman Canjo from “Shohadaa al-Haq Brigade” terrorist group
who was transporting arms and medicine for terrorist groups in Aleppo, the source added.
In confessions broadcast by the Syrian TV later in the evening, Canjo, who was born in Homs province in 1992, said that medicine and other supplies were brought in via Bab al-Hawa crossing point under the supervision of Ahrar al-Cham, and then they would be stored at al-Yaman’s warehouses under the supervision of the man in charge of the warehouses, Ahmad al-Sheikh Abboud.
Canjo said he received his orders from one Abdelmajid al-Khatib, and that he ran two shipments to Manbej with other accomplices.
He went on to talk about how he became involved with terrorist groups, saying that in 2012 he joined the “Shohadaa al-Murabitin” terror group which was led by one Mamoun al-Nasser, and he took part in several attacks on villages along with other groups affiliated to “Ahrar al-Cham movement ” terrorist organization.
Canjo said he and his cohorts received weapons including DShK-equipped vehicles and 20 cases of ammo from “Liwa al-Haqq” terror group and delivered them to Saraqeb city in Idleb where he delivered them in exchange for USD 30,000, and later he provided terrorists in al-Houla with wireless handsets and satellite internet devices.
“Ahrar al-Cham movement monitors all movements in the area, and they claimed to be fighting ISIS while they were actually supporting it,” he added.
Russian General Staff: Arms continue to flow to Jabhat al-Nusra from Turkey
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78547
In a press statement, Head of the Russian General Staff Main Operations Department Sergey Rudskoy said
that northern parts of Aleppo and Idleb bordering with Turkey are the main hot spots “where groups of international terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra linked to Al-Qaeda are rampant,” pointing out that the flow of the trucks to these areas coming from Turkey is uninterrupted as they are crossing the border daily loaded with weapons and ammunition.
Rudskoy added that the continuation of sending arms and ammunition to al-Nusra terrorists helped them continue their provocative shelling and launching terrorist attacks on the Syrian army positions.
“Apart from that, Turkish artillery continues to shell Syrian border towns and positions of the Kurdish Protection Units,” Rudskoy said.
He said that Washington acknowledges that the main hotbeds in Syria are located in the areas where al-Nusra is active, adding that a number of the Syrian areas are witnessing an escalation in the situation on the ground due to al-Nusra attempts to foil the cessation of hostilities agreement.
“After taking advantage of the cessation of hostilities and the fact that groups of this terrorist organization are stationed in the same regions as units of moderate opposition, at which Russian Aerospace Forces and Syrian Air Force do not deliver airstrikes – Jabhat al-Nusra has partially restored its military capabilities, replenished its ammunition and weapon stockpiles and launched offensives,” Rudskoy said.
The Russian air force has intensified since May 20 its strikes against illegal oil extraction facilities in Syria and the means of oil products smuggling into Turkey, Rudskoy added.
Authorities seize truck loaded with over 25 tons of medical supplies for ISIS coming from Turkey
http://sana.sy/en/?p=77893
A source in Aleppo said in a statement to SANA’s reporter that after monitoring and investigating al-Yaman, a Turkish medical company, the authorities seized a truck loaded with more than 25 tons of supplies for field hospitals worth more than USD 100,000.
“Al-Yaman Company in Istanbul is sending medicine, equipment, and medical supplies to ISIS organization in Manbej and Mosul and to other terrorist groups, the source explained.
Authorities arrested the terrorist Abdelrahman Canjo from “Shohadaa al-Haq Brigade” terrorist group
who was transporting arms and medicine for terrorist groups in Aleppo, the source added.
In confessions broadcast by the Syrian TV later in the evening, Canjo, who was born in Homs province in 1992, said that medicine and other supplies were brought in via Bab al-Hawa crossing point under the supervision of Ahrar al-Cham, and then they would be stored at al-Yaman’s warehouses under the supervision of the man in charge of the warehouses, Ahmad al-Sheikh Abboud.
Canjo said he received his orders from one Abdelmajid al-Khatib, and that he ran two shipments to Manbej with other accomplices.
He went on to talk about how he became involved with terrorist groups, saying that in 2012 he joined the “Shohadaa al-Murabitin” terror group which was led by one Mamoun al-Nasser, and he took part in several attacks on villages along with other groups affiliated to “Ahrar al-Cham movement ” terrorist organization.
Canjo said he and his cohorts received weapons including DShK-equipped vehicles and 20 cases of ammo from “Liwa al-Haqq” terror group and delivered them to Saraqeb city in Idleb where he delivered them in exchange for USD 30,000, and later he provided terrorists in al-Houla with wireless handsets and satellite internet devices.
“Ahrar al-Cham movement monitors all movements in the area, and they claimed to be fighting ISIS while they were actually supporting it,” he added.
Russian General Staff: Arms continue to flow to Jabhat al-Nusra from Turkey
http://sana.sy/en/?p=78547
In a press statement, Head of the Russian General Staff Main Operations Department Sergey Rudskoy said
that northern parts of Aleppo and Idleb bordering with Turkey are the main hot spots “where groups of international terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra linked to Al-Qaeda are rampant,” pointing out that the flow of the trucks to these areas coming from Turkey is uninterrupted as they are crossing the border daily loaded with weapons and ammunition.
Rudskoy added that the continuation of sending arms and ammunition to al-Nusra terrorists helped them continue their provocative shelling and launching terrorist attacks on the Syrian army positions.
“Apart from that, Turkish artillery continues to shell Syrian border towns and positions of the Kurdish Protection Units,” Rudskoy said.
He said that Washington acknowledges that the main hotbeds in Syria are located in the areas where al-Nusra is active, adding that a number of the Syrian areas are witnessing an escalation in the situation on the ground due to al-Nusra attempts to foil the cessation of hostilities agreement.
“After taking advantage of the cessation of hostilities and the fact that groups of this terrorist organization are stationed in the same regions as units of moderate opposition, at which Russian Aerospace Forces and Syrian Air Force do not deliver airstrikes – Jabhat al-Nusra has partially restored its military capabilities, replenished its ammunition and weapon stockpiles and launched offensives,” Rudskoy said.
The Russian air force has intensified since May 20 its strikes against illegal oil extraction facilities in Syria and the means of oil products smuggling into Turkey, Rudskoy added.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government on Sunday won a vote of confidence in parliament as well as approval for his legislative programme, parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said.
Turkey's new prime minister wins vote of confidence in parliament
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/turkey-s-new-prime-minist/2826492.html
ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government on Sunday won a vote of confidence in parliament as well as approval for his legislative programme, parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said.
Yildirim is a close ally of President Tayyip Erdogan and a co-founder of the ruling AK Party. He was declared prime minister after he was elected as the new leader of the AK Party at a party congress.
Yildirim's appointment marks another step in Erdogan's plan to create a full presidential system in Turkey.
Yildirim replaces Ahmet Davutoglu, who said he was stepping down after weeks of tension with Erdogan.
Kahraman said the result was 315 votes for approving the government and 138 against.
PKK attack kills lieutenant in southeastern Turkey
http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/05/30/pkk-attack-kills-lieutenant-in-southeastern-turkey
PKK fighters attacked a military post on Turkish side of the border around 9.00 p.m. local time with long-barreled weapons, severely wounding a lieutenant. The wounded soldier was immediately taken to the Şırnak Military Hospital, yet succumbing to his wounds despite all the efforts, a military statement read.
Turkish soldiers immediately returned fire after the attack, forcing PKK militants to flee. A large-scale investigation was launched around the area to capture the escaped terrorists.
Despite Merkel’s efforts, EU chief jeopardizes migrant deal with Turkey
http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/05/26/despite-merkels-efforts-eu-chief-jeopardizes-migrant-deal-with-turkey
However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said at the Group of Seven summit Thursday that Ankara should meet the EU's demand to soften Turkey's anti-terrorism law.
Juncker called for Turkey to "stick to commitments" while Ankara accuses the bloc of failing to fulfill any of the promises they made as part of the landmark migrant deal.
Speaking at the U.N.-organized world humanitarian summit in Istanbul Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey will not take further steps to implement the refugee readmission agreement with the European Union until progress is made on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens.
German WWII coding machine found on eBay
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/german-wwii-coding/2826864.html
LONDON: One of the machines used to send coded messages between Adolf Hitler and his generals sold for £10 on eBay after being discovered in a shed in England, the buyer said Sunday.
Researchers at The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park saw a "telegram machine" for sale on the auction site for £9.50 (12.5 euros/$14), and believed it may have actually been a Lorenz machine, used by the German army to send top-secret coded messages.
"My colleague was scanning eBay and he saw a photograph of what seemed to be the teleprinter," John Wetter, a volunteer at the museum in Buckinghamshire, south England, told the BBC.
To investigate further, Wetter travelled to the southeastern town of Southend where he found the machine, which resembles a typewriter, on the floor of a shed, covered "with rubbish".
"We said 'Thank you very much, how much was it again?' She said '£9.50', so we said 'Here's a £10 note - keep the change," he added.
The museum is now hunting for a replacement motor, which is missing.
"It looks like an electric motor in black casing with two shafts on each side, which drive the gears of the Lorenz machine," said Wetter.
The Lorenz teleprinter was used in World War II to swap personal messages between Hitler and his generals.
A linked cipher machine consisting of 12 individual wheels each containing multiple settings encoded the messages.
Andy Clark, chairman of the trustees at The National Museum of Computing, called the machine "far bigger than the famous portable Enigma machine".
"Everybody knows about Enigma, but the Lorenz machine was used for strategic communications," said Clark.
"It is so much more complicated than the Enigma machine."
Turkey's new prime minister wins vote of confidence in parliament
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/turkey-s-new-prime-minist/2826492.html
ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government on Sunday won a vote of confidence in parliament as well as approval for his legislative programme, parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said.
Yildirim is a close ally of President Tayyip Erdogan and a co-founder of the ruling AK Party. He was declared prime minister after he was elected as the new leader of the AK Party at a party congress.
Yildirim's appointment marks another step in Erdogan's plan to create a full presidential system in Turkey.
Yildirim replaces Ahmet Davutoglu, who said he was stepping down after weeks of tension with Erdogan.
Kahraman said the result was 315 votes for approving the government and 138 against.
PKK attack kills lieutenant in southeastern Turkey
http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/05/30/pkk-attack-kills-lieutenant-in-southeastern-turkey
PKK fighters attacked a military post on Turkish side of the border around 9.00 p.m. local time with long-barreled weapons, severely wounding a lieutenant. The wounded soldier was immediately taken to the Şırnak Military Hospital, yet succumbing to his wounds despite all the efforts, a military statement read.
Turkish soldiers immediately returned fire after the attack, forcing PKK militants to flee. A large-scale investigation was launched around the area to capture the escaped terrorists.
Despite Merkel’s efforts, EU chief jeopardizes migrant deal with Turkey
http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/05/26/despite-merkels-efforts-eu-chief-jeopardizes-migrant-deal-with-turkey
However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said at the Group of Seven summit Thursday that Ankara should meet the EU's demand to soften Turkey's anti-terrorism law.
Juncker called for Turkey to "stick to commitments" while Ankara accuses the bloc of failing to fulfill any of the promises they made as part of the landmark migrant deal.
Speaking at the U.N.-organized world humanitarian summit in Istanbul Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey will not take further steps to implement the refugee readmission agreement with the European Union until progress is made on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens.
German WWII coding machine found on eBay
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/german-wwii-coding/2826864.html
LONDON: One of the machines used to send coded messages between Adolf Hitler and his generals sold for £10 on eBay after being discovered in a shed in England, the buyer said Sunday.
Researchers at The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park saw a "telegram machine" for sale on the auction site for £9.50 (12.5 euros/$14), and believed it may have actually been a Lorenz machine, used by the German army to send top-secret coded messages.
"My colleague was scanning eBay and he saw a photograph of what seemed to be the teleprinter," John Wetter, a volunteer at the museum in Buckinghamshire, south England, told the BBC.
To investigate further, Wetter travelled to the southeastern town of Southend where he found the machine, which resembles a typewriter, on the floor of a shed, covered "with rubbish".
"We said 'Thank you very much, how much was it again?' She said '£9.50', so we said 'Here's a £10 note - keep the change," he added.
The museum is now hunting for a replacement motor, which is missing.
"It looks like an electric motor in black casing with two shafts on each side, which drive the gears of the Lorenz machine," said Wetter.
The Lorenz teleprinter was used in World War II to swap personal messages between Hitler and his generals.
A linked cipher machine consisting of 12 individual wheels each containing multiple settings encoded the messages.
Andy Clark, chairman of the trustees at The National Museum of Computing, called the machine "far bigger than the famous portable Enigma machine".
"Everybody knows about Enigma, but the Lorenz machine was used for strategic communications," said Clark.
"It is so much more complicated than the Enigma machine."
angelburst29
The Living Force
Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu is planning to initiate the process of reopening the Turkish Embassy on Monday.
Turkey to Start Process of Reopening Embassy in Libya - Foreign Ministry
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040481718/turkey-repoen-embassy-libya.html
The minister will visit the Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry's press office said in a statement.
"Foreign Minister Cavusoglu will meet with Mr. Fayez Mustafa Al-Sarraj, President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord and Mr. Mohammed Taher Siyala, Minister of Foreign Affairs <…> On this occasion, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu will also initiate the re-opening process of the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli, which was evacuated in 2014 due to the deteriorating security conditions," the press release reads.
Qatar, Turkey to Blame for Forcing Political Islam in Libya
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150827/1026251430.html
Qatar and Turkey are to blame for forcing political Islam on Libya, the prime minister of the internationally recognized Libyan government, Abdullah Thani, told Sputnik.
There are states wishing to impose political Islam on us. Turkey and Qatar, for example, are attempting to impose it on Libya despite the people’s rejection," Thani said.
That rejection was exemplified in the recent parliamentary elections, the prime minister added.
Thani acknowledged the willingness to cooperate with activists of political Islam as an integral part of the political landscape in the country.
"However, partnership does not imply hegemony, and not only in Libya. Qatar and Turkey have that experience in Egypt, where they strongly support the Muslim Brotherhood," Thani stressed.
The internationally recognized Libyan government seeks international airstrikes targeting the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, not against political rivals, Prime Minister Abdullah Thani continued in an interview with Sputnik.
The Arab League pledged military assistance during an extraordinary session requested by the internationally-recognized Tobruk-based government last week. The association ruled out targeted anti-IS airstrikes over Libyan territory.
"We asked for airstrikes on IS, not on our political rivals," Thani clarified.
The prime minister argued for surgical strikes in coordination with the Libyan army because "all parties agree that IS must be stopped."
The northeast port city of Tobruk government’s call for help came as Islamic State gained control over the northern Libyan city of Sirte, killing up to 200 people in mid-August.
Libya is in need of arms to fight militants and does not consider foreign military assistance to be an encroachment on the sovereignty of the country, according to Abdullah Thani.
The prime minister said that a lack of weapons and an abundance of people willing to take up arms "creates an imbalance."
"The international community helped us overthrow the [Gaddafi] regime, but did not help in building a new state," Thani explained to Sputnik.
Libya has been in a state of civil war since the overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and is now split into two rival governments. The Tobruk-based government led by Thani is recognized internationally. The country's capital of Tripoli and adjacent western areas are controlled by self-proclaimed authorities.
On Wednesday, the UN envoy to Libya, Bernadino Leon, told the UN Security Council the rival Libyan authorities were in the "final stages" of forming a national unity government.
Turkey Must Amend Anti-Terror Law if It Wants Visa-Free Regime With EU
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040485009/turkish-anti-terror-law-eu-visa-free.html
Before a visa-free regime with the bloc can be introduced Ankara has to meet 72 EU requirements. Notably, Turkey is expected to amend anti-terror legislation by narrowing the definition of terrorism and ensuring freedom of speech in the country.
"As for anti-terror legislation, you know about a long list of requirements to be met by the Turkish side for visa liberalization, including these ones [related to amending the anti-terror laws], which were adopted back in 2013. They are still necessary. We believe that visa regime will be lifted only when all points on the list, including this one, are fulfilled," Seibert told journalists at a briefing.
Turkish Gov't Unable to Revise Anti-Terror Laws Amid Erdogan's Power Grab
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20160511/1039461790/turkey-erdogan-visa-power.html
Back dated 11.05.2016 - Earlier in the day, the European Parliament suspended its work on granting Turkish citizens visa-free travel to the European Union, citing Ankara’s lack of progress in meeting all 72 criteria necessary for such a move. The five outstanding criteria include a revision of Turkey’s national anti-terrorism laws.
"One of the 72 criteria that Turkey must fulfill for the visa exemption agreement is to ensure its anti-terrorism laws’ compliance with the EU standards. And this step will mean the democratization of Turkey’s legal framework. But with the current understanding it’s not possible for the Turkish government to implement this criterion," Saruhan Oluc said.
On Friday, Erdogan spoke out against EU requirements for changes to Turkey's anti-terrorism legislation under the EU-Turkey deal on migration. The announcement came after resignation of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
With Davutoglu’s forced resignation Erdogan has totally taken control over the government and turned prime minister into an impotent secretary. This means by completely eliminating the separation of powers between legislative-executive-judiciary, Erdogan is approaching a step further to a ‘Turkish-style presidential' system, to a sultanate and increasing his power," the HDP vice co-chair said.
Ankara and Brussels were due to hold a high-level discussion on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens visiting the Schengen area on May 13, but on Tuesday the meeting was postponed.
Turkish Gov't to Present Draft Bill on Presidential System to Parliament
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040479588/bill-system-parliament.html
The Turkish government will present a draft bill on country's transition to a presidential system to parliament "in the coming days," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Government's Spokesman Numan Kurtulmus said Monday.
"One of the priorities of the new government is to focus on a new constitution and political reforms. It is a mandate given by the people. A new constitution has been discussed since 1980 takeover. The Turkish government will pass its proposals on transition to presidential system in the coming days," Kurtulmus told journalists at the briefing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to hold a referendum to abandon the parliamentary system established in Turkey by the 1923 Constitution in favor of an executive presidency. The country's opposition is against Erdogan's proposal accusing him of attempts to establish the individual power regime.
Turkey to Start Process of Reopening Embassy in Libya - Foreign Ministry
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040481718/turkey-repoen-embassy-libya.html
The minister will visit the Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry's press office said in a statement.
"Foreign Minister Cavusoglu will meet with Mr. Fayez Mustafa Al-Sarraj, President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord and Mr. Mohammed Taher Siyala, Minister of Foreign Affairs <…> On this occasion, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu will also initiate the re-opening process of the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli, which was evacuated in 2014 due to the deteriorating security conditions," the press release reads.
Qatar, Turkey to Blame for Forcing Political Islam in Libya
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150827/1026251430.html
Qatar and Turkey are to blame for forcing political Islam on Libya, the prime minister of the internationally recognized Libyan government, Abdullah Thani, told Sputnik.
There are states wishing to impose political Islam on us. Turkey and Qatar, for example, are attempting to impose it on Libya despite the people’s rejection," Thani said.
That rejection was exemplified in the recent parliamentary elections, the prime minister added.
Thani acknowledged the willingness to cooperate with activists of political Islam as an integral part of the political landscape in the country.
"However, partnership does not imply hegemony, and not only in Libya. Qatar and Turkey have that experience in Egypt, where they strongly support the Muslim Brotherhood," Thani stressed.
The internationally recognized Libyan government seeks international airstrikes targeting the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, not against political rivals, Prime Minister Abdullah Thani continued in an interview with Sputnik.
The Arab League pledged military assistance during an extraordinary session requested by the internationally-recognized Tobruk-based government last week. The association ruled out targeted anti-IS airstrikes over Libyan territory.
"We asked for airstrikes on IS, not on our political rivals," Thani clarified.
The prime minister argued for surgical strikes in coordination with the Libyan army because "all parties agree that IS must be stopped."
The northeast port city of Tobruk government’s call for help came as Islamic State gained control over the northern Libyan city of Sirte, killing up to 200 people in mid-August.
Libya is in need of arms to fight militants and does not consider foreign military assistance to be an encroachment on the sovereignty of the country, according to Abdullah Thani.
The prime minister said that a lack of weapons and an abundance of people willing to take up arms "creates an imbalance."
"The international community helped us overthrow the [Gaddafi] regime, but did not help in building a new state," Thani explained to Sputnik.
Libya has been in a state of civil war since the overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and is now split into two rival governments. The Tobruk-based government led by Thani is recognized internationally. The country's capital of Tripoli and adjacent western areas are controlled by self-proclaimed authorities.
On Wednesday, the UN envoy to Libya, Bernadino Leon, told the UN Security Council the rival Libyan authorities were in the "final stages" of forming a national unity government.
Turkey Must Amend Anti-Terror Law if It Wants Visa-Free Regime With EU
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040485009/turkish-anti-terror-law-eu-visa-free.html
Before a visa-free regime with the bloc can be introduced Ankara has to meet 72 EU requirements. Notably, Turkey is expected to amend anti-terror legislation by narrowing the definition of terrorism and ensuring freedom of speech in the country.
"As for anti-terror legislation, you know about a long list of requirements to be met by the Turkish side for visa liberalization, including these ones [related to amending the anti-terror laws], which were adopted back in 2013. They are still necessary. We believe that visa regime will be lifted only when all points on the list, including this one, are fulfilled," Seibert told journalists at a briefing.
Turkish Gov't Unable to Revise Anti-Terror Laws Amid Erdogan's Power Grab
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20160511/1039461790/turkey-erdogan-visa-power.html
Back dated 11.05.2016 - Earlier in the day, the European Parliament suspended its work on granting Turkish citizens visa-free travel to the European Union, citing Ankara’s lack of progress in meeting all 72 criteria necessary for such a move. The five outstanding criteria include a revision of Turkey’s national anti-terrorism laws.
"One of the 72 criteria that Turkey must fulfill for the visa exemption agreement is to ensure its anti-terrorism laws’ compliance with the EU standards. And this step will mean the democratization of Turkey’s legal framework. But with the current understanding it’s not possible for the Turkish government to implement this criterion," Saruhan Oluc said.
On Friday, Erdogan spoke out against EU requirements for changes to Turkey's anti-terrorism legislation under the EU-Turkey deal on migration. The announcement came after resignation of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
With Davutoglu’s forced resignation Erdogan has totally taken control over the government and turned prime minister into an impotent secretary. This means by completely eliminating the separation of powers between legislative-executive-judiciary, Erdogan is approaching a step further to a ‘Turkish-style presidential' system, to a sultanate and increasing his power," the HDP vice co-chair said.
Ankara and Brussels were due to hold a high-level discussion on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens visiting the Schengen area on May 13, but on Tuesday the meeting was postponed.
Turkish Gov't to Present Draft Bill on Presidential System to Parliament
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160530/1040479588/bill-system-parliament.html
The Turkish government will present a draft bill on country's transition to a presidential system to parliament "in the coming days," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Government's Spokesman Numan Kurtulmus said Monday.
"One of the priorities of the new government is to focus on a new constitution and political reforms. It is a mandate given by the people. A new constitution has been discussed since 1980 takeover. The Turkish government will pass its proposals on transition to presidential system in the coming days," Kurtulmus told journalists at the briefing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to hold a referendum to abandon the parliamentary system established in Turkey by the 1923 Constitution in favor of an executive presidency. The country's opposition is against Erdogan's proposal accusing him of attempts to establish the individual power regime.
