Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-03

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Protests in Turkey against the construction of a park snowballed to widespread anger across the country against AKP government

[02] How the Turkish press covers in its front-pages the latest incidents which are taking place in Turkey

[03] Erdogan retires mall project, vows mosque in Taksim- calls Twitter "troublemaker"

[04] Main opposition leader calls on Turkish PM to apologize to people

[05] "Anonymous" launches attacks against Turkish government for Gezi Park protests

[06] Reactions in occupied Cyprus to the police violence at Gezi Park in Turkey

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnists on the incidents at Gezi Park

[08] Kucuk in an interview to Al Jazeera said that in case of no Cyprus settlement, then the recognition of "TRNC" is in the agenda

[09] Eroglu on the dinner with President Anastasiades

[10] Talat says that the Cypriots are the responsible for their negativities

[11] Fifty five more "TRNC citizenships"

[12] BASIN-SEN will attend the 28th Congress of IFJ

[13] Eighty seven hotels in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[14] BKP will cooperate with Communal Existence Forces for the "early elections"

[15] Apricot festival with the participation of guest from various countries in occupied Agios Amvrosios

[16] H?seyin Yalyali the new director of illegal TAK

[17] Director of Turkish State Theaters removed from his office

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Protests in Turkey against the construction of a park snowballed to widespread anger across the country against AKP government

Turkish daily Hurriyet daily News (02.06.13) wrote that more than 90 separate demonstrations in 28 provinces took place on May 31 and June 1. Late on June 1, violent clashes broke out in central Ankara's Guven Park, as police tried to quell protesters with tear gas and water cannon with brutality.

Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler said on June 1 that 53 civilians, 19 of which from Istanbul, and 26 police officers were injured during the violence.

Amnesty International, however, put the number of wounded in hundreds and said there had been two deaths. Amnesty said some protesters had been left blinded by the massive quantities of tear gas and pepper spray used by police, while at least two people were hit in the head with gas canisters. Guler said police had detained 939 people as of June 1 evening, but many have been released. More than 100 detained people were released yesterday, according to Anatolia news agency.

President Abdullah Gul has urged "sensitivity and maturity" to calm the five days of tensions. "I believe that everybody will immediately do his share to provide calm and discuss the issue that will suit us," Gul said in a written statement.

Clashes erupted between police and protestors in Istanbul's Besiktas district in the early hours of Sunday morning, Dogan news agency has reported.

Columnist Mutlu Tonbekici in an article in Turkish daily Vatan (02.06.13) wrote the following under the title : "Not a Tahrir, But a Wonderful Turkey Has Emerged":

"Here is a summary of what happened: Most people poured into the streets not for Gezi Park but to protest the actions of the police. This applies even to those who voted for the government party. The operative phrase here was "use of disproportionate force." This hurts the sensibilities of even a donkey. There is no point in telling anyone: "You supported the government in the past. So what happened now?" So what if she supported the government? Does she have to approve cruelty by the police also?

A BBC correspondent reportedly said: "I have seen demonstrations in many parts of the world but I have never seen this much tear gas used." The police fired tear gas canisters nonstop for four days. They fired tear gas no matter what we did--sit, lie, stand up, or walk. [?] In the morning, a police officer with whom I argued in the Talimhane [Taksim] area told me: "If you were so concerned about trees, you would protect the forests that were burned by the PKK [Kurdistan People's Congress, KGK]." I did not tell him that it was the state, not the PKK, that burned those forests. I replied: "We want just these trees." He said: "Do not tell me about it. We know the interests you are serving." I asked: "Which ones?" He replied: "The PKK." Do you understand now why they have been using tear gas canisters like bullets and firing them after aiming them at protesters? In their mind, they are "punishing" us. [?]

Columnist Hasan Cemal in his article in Istanbul T24 web site (02.06.13) under the title "The Real Issue is Erdogan's Understanding of Democracy!", wrote the following:

"[?] Yes, as the Gezi Park Resistance has gone down in the history of our democracy, it has also showed in just how wrong a position [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government are standing from the standpoint of democracy. [?] The real issue is Tayyip Erdogan's understanding of democracy; the problematic thing is this. Prime Minister Erdogan's authoritarian, "what I say goes" policies are pushing political stability in this country more into danger with every passing day, and are making stability, which is the most important thing of all, extremely fragile.

As long as Erdogan does not revise his problematic conception of democracy, as long as he does not question this malformed mentality in order to change it, and as long as he does not activate the mechanisms of self-criticism in his own world, there will be no first-class democracy or state of law in Turkey, nor any real peace, and the day may come when economic stability as well, which is going well today, is also upset. If this problematic conception of democracy on the part of Erdogan, and his increasingly brazen authoritarian habits, continue in this way, the "peace process" regarding the Kurdish issue, which has begun so well with the cease-fire and the withdrawal to outside the border, could also at some point become blocked, which would be a shame. [?]"

Under the title "Social Eruption on 31 May 13" Kadri Gursel wrote the following in Milliyet (02.06.13) :

"[?] How did this reaction against the police and against Tayyip Erdogan on 31 May grow the way it did? Why did 31 May happen?

31 May was the day when the pent up anger and frustration created by the succession of mistakes that need to be fixed made by a government suffering from hubris against a very important segment of society that it belittled, scorned, alienated and ostracized transformed into a social explosion. [?]

It was obvious that the restrictions and bans in the bill were aimed not so much at safeguarding the people's health but at making the exclusive liquor culture of the secular segment of society, which makes up a significant proportion of society, illegitimate and shameful, and to make that lifestyle not seen in public.

This ideology-based ban on alcohol caused a serious rift and created the perception of a great threat leading to people asking, "If they can do this today I wonder what they will do tomorrow?" Meanwhile, the prime minister poured scorn on people who drink socially using such terms as "alcoholics, lushes and drunks." He told them, "Go and drink in your homes." [?]

The government unfortunately thinks democracy is all about the ballot box. Not only does he not care about those who did not vote for him, he has no respect for them either. And so this culture hit a brick wall.

Under the title "Is Taksim the End of the Presidential System?", Asli Aydintasbas wrote the following in Milliyet (02.06.13):

"[?] The reason that tens of thousands, ranging from MHP [Nationalist Action Party] adherents to TKP [Turkish Communist Party] supporters, and from gay and lesbian groups to everyday citizens, poured into Taksim yesterday was not just the fact that the trees in Gezi Park were being cut down. The objection of the people is to the Prime Minister's gradually increasing patriarchic, authoritarian concept of rule. People want to have a say in decisions in their own cities, their own lives, and their own country. Even if they did not vote for the party in power, they want their words to have some value. They are saying: "We should be asked as well about the fate of the city; we should be consulted as well on the system of the country; how we are going to live should be left to us."

Is it so difficult to understand this? [?]"

[02] How the Turkish press covers in its front-pages the latest incidents which are taking place in Turkey

Milliyet: "Afterwards meeting", "We will build a mosque in Taksim, too".

The paper writes that the protest organized in Taksim square by several political parties, trade unions and organizations, continued in Turkey yesterday as well, with the participation of thousands of people returning back to the square and gathering there for the 6th day. As the paper writes, hundreds of people protested in Taksim after Erdogan noted that the Ataturk Culture Center (AKP) in Taksim would be demolished and said that an opera house would be built instead.

The paper underlines that the protesters opened a placard with Ocalan's photo, something which caused tension among the protesters. The police fired tear gas against the crowd.

The protests were extended to all big cities of Turkey such as Ankara, Gaziantep, Izmir, Trabzon, Bursa, Eskisehir, Sivas, e.t.c, writes the paper, pointing out to a statement made by the Minister of Interior Muammer Guler, yesterday, who said that by 28 of May, that the protests were launched, until today, a total of 235 protest in 67 different provinces of Turkey took place. He added that 1730 people were taken into custody and set free. According to the figures, 115 members of the police and 58 citizens were injured while in the protest in central Istanbul, 89 police vehicles, 42 private vehicles, 5 buses, 18 cars - which belong to the municipality - were set on fire, and 94 working places got damaged.

Sabah: "Previous ten years are assurance of tomorrow". The paper refers to an expression of Erdogan's speech in statements to a program broadcast by Haberturk, where he said that he would not get the permission from main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to build an opera house and a mosque in Taksim. Erdogan said during his speech that for ten years they did not engaged to people's way of life adding that we will not do it also in the future.

The paper under the title: "The anger went off, the losses stayed", refers also in another news report in its front-page, saying that the protests cost 20 million lira damage in Ankara and Istanbul.

Sabah covered Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler's statement on Sunday about the cost of damage after the protests, which is 20 million liras according to the official figures.

Hurriyet: "Cleaning up of the Park". The paper writes that a huge number of people gathered yesterday at Taksim square, but the areas around the park were restrained. The paper writes also that the protesters in Taksim Square started a cleanup, helping to tidy the park after the wreckage.

Also, under the front-page headline, "Heavy loss", Hurriyet refers to the amount of damaged buses and cars, alongside number of people detained in five days.

Zaman: "Environmental awareness transformed into devastation". Turkish daily Zaman under the above front-page title emphasizes the contradiction between environmental awareness, which was the starting point of the protests and the wreckage left after five days.

The paper refers also to Erdogan's statement who responded to the allegations that a shopping mall will be built at the place where Gezi Park is found.

Cumhuriyet: "The people rest easy".

Under the above title, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet reports that after the calling by Prime Minister to the people who poured to the streets to end the protests, the protesters had started re-gathering to the Taksim square after Erdogan's latest remark that "we will built a mosque, too. I will not get the permission (?) from some plunderers for this".

Also, Cumhuriyet refers to statements by CHP main opposition party leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu who has called Prime Minister Erdogan to apologize to the people for the police's use of violence.

The paper points out also that the protesters in Ankara and Istanbul yesterday, were shouting slogans such as "shoulder to shoulder against fascism", "Tayyip resign", "Taksim everywhere, resistance everywhere", "government resign", "dictator resign". Also, according to the paper, 2 people were died in Istanbul while one thousand of people got injured. The International Amnesty Organization has also called on the Turkish government to allow the protesters to use their basic rights and freedoms.

AK

[03] Erdogan retires mall project, vows mosque in Taksim- calls Twitter "troublemaker"

"You cannot make an AVM [shopping mall] familiar to the international ones in this area. There is no conclusive AVM project here. Maybe we will make a city museum there or an architectural work that will put different activities in place. Is there any certain document? No," said Erdo
an on June 2 in Istanbul as he attended the Rumeli Turks Association's general assembly.

Erdo
an also said the much debated Atat?rk Cultural Center (AKM), also on Taksim Square, should be demolished, proposing to build an opera house and a mosque there instead.

"A mosque will be built in Taksim," said Erdo
an adding that he did not have to receive permission from the main opposition leader or a "few marauders" for the projects. He said that the authority had already been given by people who voted for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In the meantime, Erdo
an has remained defiant against the demonstrations taking place in Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park for the past six days.

"Is your issue about planting trees? It is not tree cutting going on there. It is the stubbing 12 trees as part of the pedestrianization project of Taksim," said Erdo
an, citing the projects of his government that had planted trees across the country.

He also accused the protesters of causing damage to property. "They are burning, damaging the shops. Is this democracy?" asked Erdo
an. He also criticized those who called him a "dictator" for the excessive use of force against the protesters in Taksim. "[They say] Tayyip Erdo
an is dictator. If they call one who serves the people a dictator, I cannot not say anything," he added.

In addition, Erdogan stated that "Twitter is a troublemaker" "There is a trouble called Twitter. Unmitigated lies are there [on Twitter]," Erdo
an said. "The thing that is called social media is a troublemaker in societies today."

He criticized what he called false tweets being posted on Twitter, saying that people were being misinformed by lies when they did not catch subsequent corrections.

Moreover, Hurriyet (02.06.13) also reports that Turkish Deputy PM Arinc said the court has made the right decision to halt the execution of Taksim Gezi Park constructions. Regarding the incidents at Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park on Friday, Turkish Deputy PM Arinc stated that certain intelligence agencies and agent provocateurs try to render Turkey vulnerable to provocations, saying "This is what we encounter in Reyhanli and Cilvegozu. We trust the common sense of our people. We believe they will display more sensitivity in such issues", he said.

[04] Main opposition leader calls on Turkish PM to apologize to people

"One cannot rule against the people. People are the strongest force. [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an] must apologize to the people. I am waiting for that but I don't know if he will show this merit," K1
l1
?daro
lu1
told reporters today.

The main opposition leader also said that his visit to the demonstrations was not an opportunist attempt. "I went there as a civilian citizen, to support the demonstrators. This demonstration is not [Republican People's Party] CHP's. It is the people's protest. We didn't take our party flags," said K1
l1
?daro
lu.

Meanwhile, under the title: "The country verges on dictatorship", Turkish daily Zaman (03.05.13) newspaper reports on statements by the chairman of the National Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli who commented on the latest incidents occurred at Taksim Square and supported that Turkey has entered into a secession period, adding: "Unfortunately, Turkey verges on dictatorship. The power is intolerant, is a despot, is unrestrained". "The incidents occurred during the last 5 days at Istanbul's Gezi Part, are extremely important taking into consideration the stance and the preferences of the government. The original images derived from there show the slight position Turkey has drop down. (...), Bahceli said, expressing also strong criticism to the police for the use of gas at the protest.

(...)

Also, commenting on the incidents at Gezi Part, the chairman of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Selahattin Demirtas, has underlined that those incidents are a provocation by some circles in Turkey who want to oppose to the Turk or they want ethnic clashes.

Demirtas called the AKP government to receive the messages from the streets and expressed strong criticism to the government's response to this message that was to suppress, with the police to use violence with tear gas.

[05] "Anonymous" launches attacks against Turkish government for Gezi Park protests

"Erdo
an should learn from the fate of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and resign before inflaming the situation further", it said in a YouTube video that displayed shots of the recent violence between protesters and police.

The group managed to take down access to the Official Gazette of Turkey and other sites with a hacking attempt late on June 2. The website of private channel NTV, which has come in for stiff criticism for failing to adequately cover the events, was also subjected to an apparent Anonymous attack early June 3.

Accusing the government of censoring social media to prevent citizens from learning the truth, "Anonymous" vowed to bring the Turkish government "to its knees" by attacking all state websites in Turkey.

"We have watched for days with horror as our brothers and sisters in Turkey who are peacefully rising up against their tyrannical government [have been] brutalized, beaten, run over by riot vehicles, shot with water cannons and gassed in the streets," the group said in a message posted on YouTube. "Anonymous" said that while Turkey's government claims to act like a democracy, it was more akin to the "petty dictators in China or Iran."

[06] Reactions in occupied Cyprus to the police violence at Gezi Park in Turkey

Havadis reported also that Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) has issued a written statement on the issue, noting that the incidents are a reaction to the efforts of creating a "mild Islam model" with the behavior of the "autocratic and authoritarian administration" [of AKP] aiming at creating a "single identity" [in the country]. He said that the action of the people who were protesting against the uprooting of some trees has been turned into a social resistance and that this had been incited by the use of disproportionate force and pepper gas by the police. Cakici noted that the AKP government should act with reason, embrace the society and listen to the voice of the people.

According to the paper, the New Cyprus Party (YKP) has sent a letter of solidarity to the people showing resistance at Gezi Park. In a written statement, YKP noted that AKP has been turned into an authoritarian regime and added that "it was clear that AKP sultanate would be demolished like every sultanate". It argued that the sultanate of those, who consider themselves as neo-Ottomans, will be demolished with the uprising of the people, like it had happened to the Ottomans with the uprisings of the peoples. The party urged everyone to participate in all the activities in occupied Lefkosia, Keryneia and Famagusta for solidarity with those who resist in Turkey.

Havadis reported also that a statement describing the incidents as "unacceptable" was published by the "We are gathering together (Toparlaniyoruz)" Movement, which said that the use of disproportionate force by the police caused concern to everybody.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (03.06.13) reports that Izzet Izcan issued a statement expressing his party's support to the protestors at Gezi Park and adding that the "despotism of AKP has come to its end". He noted that the government was forced to make a step backwards on the fifth day of the protests at Gezi Park. He pointed out that the AKP government is "a fascistic government and in favor of violence" and expressed his sorrow for the fact that there are still some circles in the occupied part of Cyprus who try to present AKP as "apostle of peace" to the Turkish Cypriots. "We will force the AKP government and its collaborators in Cyprus to take a step backwards", he noted.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.06.13) reported that protests of support to the people resisting in Turkey had been held in the occupied area of Cyprus. On Saturday morning protestors had been gathered in front of the Turkish so-called embassy to the occupied part of Lefkosia shouting slogans against AKP and Prime Minister Erdogan. The so-called police tried to prevent the protestors from passing in front of the "embassy", but the participants in the activity breached the obstacle of the "police". Protests were also held in occupied Famagusta and Keryneia.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnists on the incidents at Gezi Park

Writing in daily Kibris newspaper (03.06.13), Bilbay Eminoglu reports that "Turkey has received a serious wound". Referring to the way by which the world press covered the issue, Eminoglu notes that even the information published by the AFP new agency that police were beating up even people who had been lying unconscious is enough to show that. He says that it would not be easy for this wound to heal, because "while Turkey is changing, while it is developing, some things are unfortunately remaining the same". "For example, efforts are exerted for preventing even common marches and protests by using disproportionate force like in the example of Taksim", he notes.

Writing in daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (03.06.13), Sami Ozuslu notes that the question as to whether these incidents were a Turkish Spring similar to the Arab Spring is very important, because "the incidents experienced during the weekend in Turkey, are actually not an 'end' but a 'beginning'". Describing the incidents as "an uprising", "a riot", Ozuslu points out that Recep Tayyip Erdogan's and AKP's operation of "turning Turkey into Ottoman" country backlashed.

He goes on and says: "During the recent incidents, Turkey understood also some realities. The 'sovereign media' are the televisions now, not the newspapers! In any case, the media in Turkey are not media at the moment!"

He expresses the view that the same media, which had broadcast live 24 hours a day the developments at Tahrir Square and the arrest of Kaddafi and are describing as "civil war" the problems which the Assad regime is facing, during these incidents showed a stance that is a disgrace to democracy and the freedom of the press. "The fact that the people of Turkey faced this reality is sad but good", he notes.

Writing in daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (03.06.13), Esref Cetinel wonders whether Erdogan is heading towards democracy or a theocratic state. He notes that his fear is that Erdogan is one of the leaders who after many years succeeded to become Turkey's 'only man' and he is trying to use this in order to change the constitution and become President of the Republic. "On the other hand it is obvious that he wants to restore the state again according to the 'religious doctrine'", he notes adding that Erdogan is often referring to Turkey as "my state", "my people" and uses phrases such as "what I want".

Noting that he is afraid of such a leader, Cetinel refers to the Cyprus problem and says: "There is a Cyprus problem onto which it is unnecessary for Erdogan to put emphasis since the Annan Plan. More correctly there is no such a thing! Because he sees northern Cyprus together with its people as a part of Turkey. Such an obsession is carrying Cyprus away from the solution and moreover, it is causing its continuation as a political problem! Moreover, Erdogan follows a stance with which 'what he will do is not known'. With the Annan Plan which he had supported, the transfer of the north to the Greek Cypriots would have been realized, if that side said yes".

The columnist says his fear is that Erdogan could take some unilateral decisions and put the Turkish Cypriots in a very difficult situation someday.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Kucuk in an interview to Al Jazeera said that in case of no Cyprus settlement, then the recognition of "TRNC" is in the agenda

Kucuk reiterated his known views on the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, he argued that the stance of Turkey and the "TRNC" on the Cyprus problem is that they support the launch of the negotiations as soon as possible.

Replying to the questions what are their expectations on the recognition issue and what are their relations with Arab countries, Kucuk said that the Turkish Cypriot side for 30 years now is nourished with the hope for a peace and an agreement. He argued that primarily they prefer the union of Cyprus and to live together side to side in a peaceful island. However, he added, if this cannot be realised within the process, then the issue of recognition and keeping the "TRNC" alive will be in the agenda. Kucuk also claimed that "today North is in a strong position and it is the South that will benefit from these opportunities", adding that they are in expectation if they will establish a joint federal state, as founding states. Kucuk also said: "If we cannot establish it, then of course, we will wait for receiving support from the Islamic countries in order the TRNC will eventually be recognized."

[09] Eroglu on the dinner with President Anastasiades

He said that he will be briefing the political parties as well as the "assembly" on the meeting in the coming days.

Eroglu made these statements in a speech he delivered in a festival in occupied Agios Amvrosios.

[10] Talat says that the Cypriots are responsible for their problems

Talat argued that Turkey, during the ruling period of Justice and Development Party (AKP), displays its willing for a solution on the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on the dinner between Eroglu and Anastasiades hosted by the UN, Talat said that nothing important on the Cyprus problem has come out from this dinner.

Commenting on the latest statement by Cyprus Foreign Minister Kasoulides that they want to meet with Turkey on October in order to find a solution on the Cyprus problem, Talat said that Kasoulides is dreaming.

Sefa Karahasan, correspondent of the Turkish daily Milliyet in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, commenting on Talat's statement that the Cypriots are responsible for the problems and that Turkey interferes in their domestic affairs, writes that "the double face of Talat should be decoded". Karahasan argues that Talat used to make complains that Ankara and AKP interferes in their domestic affairs and now he accuses the Turkish Cypriot politicians that they are the ones who invite the AKP to intervene in their domestic affairs.

[11] Fifty five more "TRNC citizenships"

According to the paper, the self-styled council of ministers granted a total of 55 "TRNC citizenships" within two days, even to a person born in Texas, USA.

The names and the places of birth of the 55 persons are published in the paper.

[12] BASIN-SEN will attend the 28th Congress of IFJ

According to BASIN-SEN's announcement, BASIN-SEN will be represented at the Congress by a delegation headed by the chairman of BASIN-SEN Kemal Darbaz, the general secretary Canan Onurer and the responsible for foreign affairs Ali Kurtoglu.

[13] Eighty seven hotels in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

"KTOB" also announced that from the 87 hotels, the 2 are closed and another 8 are empty during May.

[14] BKP will cooperate with Communal Existence Forces for the "early elections"

Izcan said that their aim is the protection of the Turkish Cypriot identity, culture and existence.

Meanwhile, the Culture Centre of Baraka announced that they will support the BKP Communal Existence Power, adding that the upcoming "elections" will be an "election" between Ankara and the "Existence Powers". Baraka also argued that a game of democracy is played in the "country", adding that there is no political will in the "assembly", and their political will is in at the hands of the governments in Ankara.

[15] Apricot festival with the participation of guest from various countries in occupied Agios Amvrosios

Speaking during the festival the so-called mayor of Agios Amvrosios Erdal Barut stated that guests from India, Turkey, Slovenia and Bulgaria are attending this year's festival.

[16] H?seyin Yalyali the new director of illegal TAK

[17] Director of Turkish State Theaters removed from his office

Despite having been notified of the removal decision by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as of May 31 evening, Bilgin is said not to have yet signed the notification about his removal, news reports said.

"This season alone, we covered a route of 430,000 kilometers. We went to our 81 provinces. We staged 6,180 performances of 149 different plays. We thank our people who showed intense interest in every corner of our country," the advertisements, published last week in mass-selling newspapers, said.

Bilgin's removal came as a reaction to the fact that the advertisements were placed without permission from the Minister of Culture and Tourism ?mer ?elik, news reports said. The ministry is said to have considered these advertisements as a reaction against recently surfaced plans by the government to close down the state theatres.

According to draft laws reported by the media recently, the government plans to abolish the state theatres in order to be replaced with a new body which will work under the Prime Ministry and which will not have the current autonomous structure which the State Theatres have.

Bilgin was appointed as the director general of the State Theatres before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002.

Stage actors and actresses have gathered in several cities to protest a government decisions regarding the privatization of theatres. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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