The Egyptian people's revolution is being hijacked by the army
Torture, emergency laws, mass arrests and delayed elections: this is what Egypt's generals mean by protecting democracy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2011/sep/26/egyptian-revolution-army
http://backupurl.com/sxfncr
Soumaya Ghannoushi
Monday 26 September 2011 19.30 BST
Between 28 January and 29 August, almost 12,000 civilians were tried in military tribunals – far more than Mubarak managed in 30 years of dictatorship. Torture by police and military personnel remains widespread, with hundreds of reports of beatings, electrocution, and even sexual assault.
Syriacs dispute claims in school history book
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=syriacs-dispute-claims-in-school-history-book-2011-09-26
Monday, September 26, 2011
ANKARA - Radikal
Representatives of Turkey's Syriac Christian community have claimed that a section in a 10th grade history course book pertaining to events around the time of World War I misrepresents their history and fans the flames of enmity toward them.
"A classroom textbook ought to be [written] in a way that [reinforces] the unity of citizens. The text in this book has been penned in a way that would cause the people in this country to view Syriacs in a different [light]," Syriac writer Markus Ürek said.
The text claims the Syriacs revolted against Ottoman rule at the incitement of both European states and Russia during World War I, a claim rejected by Syriacs. The text goes further to state that a great majority of the Syriacs left Anatolia after the failure of this uprising.
"It is said a so–called Syriac genocide was committed in 1915. The Syriacs became a party to World War I by supporting the Russians. Conflict with the Syriacs occurred under the circumstances of war. As such, there is no genocide to speak of. Syriacs have conducted their religious and social activities without facing any problems," read an excerpt from the course book. The course book also said the Syriacs were counted as citizens of the Turkish Republic in accordance with the Treaty of Lausanne and that the emigration of Syriacs has increased in recent years due to economic reasons. "Syriacs who have emigrated abroad in particular have become instruments in the hands of the political and religious interests of [Western] states so that they can [share] in their economic prosperity," the book said.
Iraq wants to take part in Turkish electricity plans
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=iraq-wants-to-take-part-in-turkish-electricity-plans-2011-09-26
Monday, September 26, 2011
GÖKHAN KURTARAN
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
War-stricken Iraq aims to take part in Turkey's recently announced interconnected regional electricity network for southern and eastern Mediterranean countries with its vast natural resources in a bid to export a potential energy surplus to Europe via Turkey.
"Iraq wants to take part in Turkey's master plan for electricity interconnection," Luay Al Khatteeb, head of the London-based Iraq's Energy Institute, told the Hürriyet Daily News on the sidelines of the "Iraq Future Energy 2011" conference in Istanbul on Monday.
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız previously said Turkey was working on a master plan for electricity interconnection in the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Algeria during his official visit to Cairo accompanying Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sept. 14.
Talking about the investment opportunities in Iraq's natural gas, oil and electricity, Khatteeb said, "Especially northern Iraq is a safe haven for investments."
He said both countries already reached a total trade volume of $6 billion as of the end of last year. "Now the countries are targeting $10 billion in a few years' time," he said.
According to Al Khatteeb, the close trade bonds between the parties require more cooperation in energy. "Once we start to have surplus capacity, Iraq can be well connected to Europe through Turkey and export electricity through an interconnected regional network," said Al Khatteeb speaking about the future plans of the Iraqi government. "These are goals for the future but they are very possible."
According to him, if there could be a proper national strategy on the Iraqi side, these plans would be well implemented.
Developing gas fields
Iraq has an estimated 112 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. The Akkas field on Syria's border has estimated reserves around 5.6 trillion cubic feet; the Mansouriya field located in the northern province of Diyala has 4.5 trillion cubic feet; and the Siba field on the Kuwaiti border has approximately 1.1 trillion cubic feet of reserves, according to Iraq's Oil Ministry. Kuwait Energy Co., Türkiye Petrolleri and the Korea Gas Corp signed contracts to develop Iraq's Mansouriya and Siba gas fields at a ceremony in Baghdad on Nov. 14.
"Turkey has an important role in the region," said Simon Stolp, senior energy specialist of the Word Bank, speaking to the Daily News during the conference. "The country can contribute to Iraq's energy projects through technical advice and Turkish expertise in energy."
Commenting on Turkey's electricity master plan, Stolp said, "There is an ongoing discussion in developing an integrated network and Turkey will be a significant priority in that."
Still he added that "the current transmission links of Iraq are still low in capacity for a regional network."
Noting that Iraq needs nearly $4 billion in direct investment over 20 years in gas and electricity, Stolp said, "We continue the discussions and Iraq might take part in such a network in the future."
Turkey introduces first self-produced warship amidst East Med tension
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-258114-turkey-introduces-first-self-produced-warship-amidst-east-med-tension.html
27 September 2011, Tuesday / TODAYSZAMAN.COM,
Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proudly said Turkey has taken its place among 10 countries that can design and construct warships
Bahrain asks Iran to help solve crisis
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/201351.html
Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:40AM
Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid ibn Ahmad Al Khalifah has asked for Iran to help the country resolve the current crisis.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the sidelines of the 66th annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, IRNA reported.
Salehi raised concerns about recent developments in Bahrain, saying that the crisis can only be solved through dialogue between the Bahraini authorities and the people.
Sheikh Khalid said a fact-finding committee, led by renowned human rights expert Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, is investigating the events and will publish its report by the end of October.
The Bahraini foreign minister also stated that Manama will abide by the committee's findings.
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