News from Turkey

One of the most revealing things about traveling is to read the local news and begin to understand how world issues shift and local issues grow large in “foreign” eyes.  In Istanbul the Hurriyet Daily News is a good source.  Although they also have an on-line  presence, having the actual large format paper edition in my hands brings the perspective I am used to:  Large Top headline, photo beneath and several smaller but still significant headlines across the rest of the front page.

This morning the top headline was Avoid Confrontation, US tells Cyprus Parties

What concerns the US and Turkish and Greek officials is the recent announcement that Greek Cypriots are planning to drill for oil and gas on the northern part of the island.

Possible provocations include issuing more oil exploration and drilling licenses on Greek Cyprus’ part, which would deepen the country’s ties with Israel, and statements about the possible annexation of Turkish Cyprus by Turkey or a push for Turkish Cypriot independence on Turkey’s part.

There is of course a long, and unhappy history behind this, some of which is explored in the article.

A second front page piece has to do with Turkey and the Iraqi Kurds exploring common interests against the current Shia dominated Iraq government.

The leader of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq Masoud Barzani is set to visit Turkey this week on the heels of a U.S. trip for critical discussions on terrorism and ongoing tension with the Shiite-led government in Baghdad, according to a Turkish official.

About which more is revealed inside on page 4 (so far no ads to clutter up the news.)

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman begins a three-day visit to Greek Cyprus to discuss energy issues with senior officials, his office said on April 15.

He will meet Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis today, Anatolia news agency reported. Among the issues on the table will be “promoting a plan to form a regional emergency aid force,” it said, Agence France-Presse reported.

And, in more local matters, a life sentence is handed down for an “honor killing,” by a young presumably Christian Armenian-Turk of his sister and her Muslim husband.

 

All news that would barely budge the notice-bell in the US.