Human Rights Watch Warns of 'Authoritarian Drift' in Turkey

[Liep]

There is nothing more boring than listening to two Southern Europeans talking about soccer.

Yet it's the most interesting thing in this thread recently. Christiansen should indeed have played for Denmark, but like Emre Mor he didn't see major tournaments for Denmark.

[Razgovory]

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/31/pictures-huge-pro-erdogan-islamist-rally-germany/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

This is from Breitbart, so feel free to ignore completely as not fitting your narrative, but in case these photos are not entirely fabricated, this is pretty worrisome. Especially interesting to see that there are hardly any German flags visible. But then Germans are reaping what they sowed.

They have a real hard time identifying one who's who in the middle east. For instance, the Grey Wolves are an opposing group and Syrians come from a different country.

[Martinus]

Marty's got a point, and it can be expanded more generally.  Nothing looks more boring or more silly than the spectacle of people discussing a sport that you yourself don't follow.

For me the names dropping part is the worst.

[Hamilcar]

Marty's got a point, and it can be expanded more generally.  Nothing looks more boring or more silly than the spectacle of people discussing a sport that you yourself don't follow.

Agreed.

[Syt]

German foreign minister Steinmeier has visited Ankara. He's probably drunk tonight.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-germany-idUSKBN13A0YC?il=0

Turkey says it's tired of 'two-faced' EU attitude

Turkey is "fed up" with European Union condescension in talks over its application to join the bloc, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday, reflecting Ankara's exasperation with EU criticism over human rights.

Cavusoglu's blunt comments, made as visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier looked on, also highlighted Turkey's frustration with the fact that, after 11 years of negotiations, its prospects of joining the EU look more remote than ever.

"We are truly fed up of these statements degrading Turkey. The criteria are clear but there are double standards and a two-faced approach. This is what we don't like," Cavusoglu told a joint news conference.

The EU is treading a fine line in relations with Turkey: it needs Ankara's continued help in curbing a huge flow of refugees and migrants, especially from Syria, but is alarmed by Turkey's crackdown on opponents since the failure of a coup attempt in July.

Referring to an issue that could spell the end of Turkey's accession bid, Cavusoglu said that the Turkish people would decide whether or not to reinstate the death penalty.

Steinmeier said he had expressed concern about mass arrests and the treatment of the media since the failed coup, but also that Germany supported its NATO partner in fighting terrorism.

"I reported the worries that we have about the numerous arrests, mass arrests, and freedom of opinion and freedom of the press," he told reporters.

More than 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended in the crackdown that followed the putsch, and some 36,000 arrested. Media outlets have also been shut down.

At one point during the awkward news conference, a microphone was switched off as a German journalist tried to ask a question. "No freedom of media here, that's why," Cavusoglu joked caustically, in English.

"SADDENED AND DISTURBED"

Turkey has agreed to help control the flood of migrants into Europe in return for visa-free travel for Turks to Europe. But Brussels first wants Ankara to rein in anti-terrorism laws that it says are too broad.

Turkey has repeatedly refused to change the laws, saying they are necessary to combat its multiple security threats.

"It cannot be expected for us to stop our fight against terror or take a step back," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told members of his ruling AK Party in parliament on Tuesday. "EU ambassadors cannot decide how the law will work in Turkey."

The bitter rhetoric from Turkey has increased since the release of a highly critical EU report last week that made clear its prospects of joining the 28-nation bloc have become more distant. "The latest report published by the EU has both saddened and disturbed us," Yildirim said.

Steinmeier said he was against the EU breaking off accession talks with Turkey. Alluding to the tense atmosphere, he thanked Cavusoglu for "a conversation today that was not very easy", but which he said had been open and honest.

Turkey has also accused its European allies of not doing enough in the fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist group by Ankara, the EU and Washington.

Cavusoglu said there were outstanding legal cases against 4,500 PKK members residing in Germany, but only three suspects had been sent back to Turkey so far. Steinmeier said he had no knowledge of the cases.

[Valmy]

What the hell is that gold star thing?

[The Brain]

It's not a real star.

[Syt]

What the hell is that gold star thing?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Turkey#/media/File:T%C3%BCrkiye_Cumhuriyeti_Cumhurba%C5%9Fkanl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1_forsu.svg

Presidential flag of Turkey. The 16 stars represent 16 claimed historical Turkic empires.

[Zanza]

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/11/22/turkish-president-erdogan-lausanne-treaty-is-negotiable/

Turkish President Erdogan: Lausanne Treaty Is Negotiable

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated a statement he first made over a month ago, saying that the Lausanne Treaty is subject to negotiation.

The 1923 Lausanne Treaty delineates the borders between Turkey and Greece. Turkish pro-government news website A Haber published new statements by the Turkish president.

"What would happen if Turkey stays away from Syria and elsewhere? Would there be peace and security in those regions?" Erdogan wondered aloud.

"The rules set by the victorious powers of World War II did not give Turkey the right to survival. With the Treaty of Sevres (1920), Turkey was divided in 7-8 pieces. Turkey did not accept that dichotomy that formed today's border. The debate on the Treaty of Lausanne begins at this point," the Turkish president continued.

"Of course we are content that we benefited from the Treaty of Lausanne. But it is a treaty that can be discussed. Under no circumstances is it sacred text. And of course we will discuss it," Erdogan noted.

And his statements continued: "We will work to ensure something better. They still attempt to trap us with the Lausanne Treaty. Please forgive us. I have the right to speak. We will make every effort to ensure the goals of 2023. We know that we will step on the foot of many sides. We will upset many interests. On this we will work together in each case. We are determined to steer Turkey ahead."

Well, that can only end in tears.

[PJL]

First Sykes-Picot, now Lausanne. What next, Versailles? Oh wait...

[The Brain]

I don't think anyone will fight for Greece.

[Valmy]

Erdogan has a dead brother? Who is Rosie?

[Tonitrus]

What happens if two NATO countries fight each other, and both invoke Article 5...is that like dividing by 0? 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

I don't think anyone will fight for Greece.

but they're more than likely to fight against evil Turkey.
Cause in the end Greeks are preferred over turks

[Barrister]

Cause in the end Greeks are preferred over turks