Turkish ministers' sons arrested

[Ian]

Have a read of this article - particularly the section headed "mud slinging........."

http://m.spiegel.de/international/world/a-907780.html#spRedirectedFrom=www&referrrer=http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=erdogan%20or%20gul%3F&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEAQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Finternational%2Fworld%2Fguel-and-erdogan-engaged-in-a-power-struggle-in-turkey-a-907780.html&ei=kfS-UtiNHseohAeps4CoCA&usg=AFQjCNEU2I1HnLCd2xaeqoWsYnvZAbcrfQ

And read the last paragraph ….............

[tuzlachap]

Here is another article about Erdogan, lots more background information.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/10540423/The-politicians-sons-the-gold-dealer-and-the-pop-star-a-Turkish-tale-of-corruption.html

TC 

[Ian]

Good article

[Ian]

Interesting - it seems that the Gulen movement were instrumental in trials of many officers in the military in recent years and now numerous appeals are being lodged and this is seen as a "marriage of convenience" alliance between the military and the AKP party.

Likely the reason for the statement by the military earlier this week that they will not intervene in military matters.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1939e012-73da-11e3-beeb-00144feabdc0.html

A case of my enemy's enemy .....

[tuzlachap]

I watched this programme last night and I think it important for anyone living or going (as are me and mrs TC), to live their, watches this.

If the information is correct, not just about the journalists, but Erdogan as well, then to me it is deeply worrying.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qw29g

TC

[Ian]

I think we might call this "positioning" as President Gul makes conciliatory statement on TV

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-335741-.html

[Scunner]

Gul generally only plays good cop to Erdogan's bad cop - they are both cops and not the nice jolly bobby on the beat type. But Gul is right (and I agree with Ian, positioning himself well) - of course the economy should come first and of course any meddling with democratic law processes will erode confidence in the Turkish economy. This shows how desperate RTE has become - in his blind panic to keep power he has entirely lost the plot.

When you look at the Turkey Erdogan took over in 2003, love him or hate him, his handling of the economy turned things round entirely. Which makes the absolute pig's ear he is making of running the country in the last year or so even more disappointing to watch. 

[Ian]

I think he is more liberal - he also studied Economics at University and worked in a bank for almost 10 years - a background that should make him well qualified to see the self inflicted damage to the economy that is being done?

[Scunner]

Yet it has taken him all this time to bother to say so?

[Ian]

I suspect you need a great deal of guile and patience to move an immovable object     

PS oh and very good timing or you may end up like the uncle in N Korea