ERDOGAN ATTENDS FAST-BREAKING DINNER MARKING ASHURA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a fast-breaking dinner in Istanbul marking the day of Ashura and mourning the martyrdom of 72 people, including Husain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala 1,369 years ago. The day of Ashura coincides with the 12th day of the Islamic calendar's month of Muharram. In the first 12 days of this month, Alevis fast to commemorate the massacre of Husain and his relatives. Speaking at the dinner, Erdogan said that attempts to undermine the Turkish people's unity would never succeed. He said everyone living in Turkey can define their identity and faith freely as equal citizens of a secular, democratic country under the rule of law, and touched on government efforts to improve the rights of Turkish Alevis. Erdogan also talked about the government's recent decree restoring the citizenship of renowned Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, saying that he was very happy with this decision. He also said that undemocratic restrictions on free expression should be eliminated. In related news, the state-run TRT 1 channel made its main daily news broadcast from a Cemevi (Alevi house of worship) in Istanbul. Other ceremonies marking the day were held across Turkey and the world. /Sabah/
NEW DETENTIONS MADE UNDER ERGENEKON PROBE
Thirty-seven more people, including seven retired generals, were detained yesterday in coordinated police operations in six cities under the ongoing Ergenekon probe. Among the detainees were Kemal Guruz, former chairman of the Board of Higher Education (YOK); Professor Yalcin Kucuk; Tuncer Kilinç, retired general and former National Security Council (NSC) secretary general; retired Gen. Kemal Yavuz; Ibrahim Sahin, former deputy chairman of the Special Operations Unit of the National Police Department; retired Gen. Erdal Senel, former judicial adviser to the General Staff; and a police chief, a naval officer and a colonel. The alleged criminal network known as Ergenekon made headlines in June 2007 after police seized grenades, explosives and fuses in a shanty house in Istanbul. Last October a criminal court in Istanbul began trying 86 suspects in the case. Commenting on the new detentions, main opposition Republican People Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal branded the probe political and unlawful, in violation of international norms of justice and Turkey's Constitution. He said that law was being ignored and used as a tool for political gamesmanship under the probe. Dismissing Baykal's claims, Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said, "This is a wholly judicial prosecution, not a political issue." In related news, Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Hasan Gerceker said yesterday that the court had decided to discuss a police search of former Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu's house under the probe. /Sabah-Turkiye/
IN NEW YORK, BABACAN CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE
At UN headquarters in New York, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday attended a meeting to discuss recent developments in the Gaza Strip. Addressing the meeting on behalf of Turkey, now a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Babacan said that the condition in Gaza is grave. Calling the situation a humanitarian tragedy, Babacan said Israel should end the use of disproportionate force and its ground operation, and that an immediate cease-fire is needed. Babacan also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, saying that solidarity between Palestinians and Arabs is very important. In related news, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said that Turkey is an important player in this region that the US stays in contact with. "The president, as you know, talks to President Abdullah Gul and has met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on a number of occasions," he added. /Star/
IRAN'S JALILI HOLDS TALKS IN ANKARA
Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, yesterday met separately with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Jalili delivered a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad on Israel's offensive in Gaza, saying, "If regional countries act together for Gaza, rapid results will follow." Stressing the importance of an immediate cease-fire, Jalili added that ending Israel's blockade in Gaza and opening the borders are also very important measures. For his part, Gul said that a UN resolution for a cease-fire is very important. Touching on the incoming US administration's stance on the issue, Gul added, "The new US administration should be given a chance to contribute to the process positively." /Aksam/
BAHCELI: "THE ERGENEKON PROBE IS LIKE A BLACK HOLE"
Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli yesterday compared the Ergenekon probe to a black hole "which takes in everyone," adding, "It is endless. Be careful what you say." At his party's Central Executive Committee (MYK), Bahceli said there are too few details about the case right now. "There's nothing certain about the grounds for the detentions," he added. "The trial of the case continues. We'll wait for the judiciary's legal conclusion. Everyone should respect this." He also said the process should be watched carefully. /Milliyet/
OIC: "ISRAEL'S ATTACK ON A SCHOOL IS A WAR CRIME"
Organization of Islamic Committee (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu yesterday stated that Israel's attack this week on a UN school in Gaza is a war crime and those responsible should be tried in international court. "This is a brutal crime," added Ihsanoglu, a Turkish scholar. /Milliyet/