TUSIAD Turkey Letter: 3 September 2013

FOREIGN POLICY

The Turkish government’s crisis management center said on Twitter on 29 August that officials had designated bunkers at seven areas along the border to protect the people in the area from harm.
~~~
Washington Post, 29 August 2013, Turkey says it is ‘on alert’ against possible chemical attack from Syria

France, Turkey Vow to Press Ahead on Syria
President Barack Obama’s decision to seek congressional approval before taking military action in Syria elicited a range of responses internationally, with backers like France and Turkey expressing teeth-gritting determination to push ahead but others—notably Israel-questioning the American leader’s resolve.
~~~
Wall Street Journal, 31 August 2013, France, Turkey Vow to Press Ahead on Syria

Turkish Diplomatic convoy attacked in Northern Iraq
A bomb attack hit the convoy of the Turkish consul general in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul early on Monday but there were no casualties, an official said. The diplomatic convoy of a few vehicles was attacked on its way to another northern Iraqi city, Arbil, at 10 a.m. when bombs on the roadside were reportedly set off as the cars passed by. Following the attack, Iraqi authorities investigated the scene of the explosion. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which left no one dead or injured but caused significant material damage.
~~~
Turkish Press Review, 3 September 2013, Turkish Diplomatic Convoy Attacked in Northern Iraq

ECONOMY & ENERGY

In the report, Kirisci argues that Turkey’s inclusion in the TTIP agreement could enrich the partnership between the United States and Turkey and revitalize Ankara’s place in the transatlantic alliance. Citing economic, political and strategic arguments for Turkey’s inclusion in the transatlantic economic partnership, Kirisci provides policy recommendations on how this might be achieved.  Kirisci’s report is the second in the recently established Turkey Project Policy Paper Series.
~~~
Brookings, 3 September 2013, Turkey and TTIP: Boosting the Model Partnership with the United States

Turkey’s Gold Imports Declined to Seven-Month Low in August
Turkey’s gold imports declined 63 percent to a seven-month low in August as prices reached the highest in three months. Silver imports fell 9.3 percent.
~~~
Bloomberg, 3 September 2013, Turkey’s Gold Imports Declined to Seven-Month Low in August

Turkey Yields Jump to 3-Year High as Core Inflation Accelerates
Turkish debt yields rose to the highest in more than three years as government data showed core inflation accelerated in August. The lira weakened as regional tensions continued.
~~~
Bloomberg, 3 September 2013, Turkey Yields Jump to 3-Year High as Core Inflation Accelerates

DOMESTIC POLITICS

Turkey opens trial over 1997 ‘post-modern’ coup
A former Turkish army chief and more than 100 others have gone on trial accused of plotting to overthrow a pro-Islamist government in 1997.
~~~
BBC, 2 September 2013, Turkey opens trial over 1997 ‘post-modern’ coup

Turkey’s top judge warns against creeping authoritarianism
The president of Supreme Court of Appeals delivered a stern democracy lesson to senior ruling party members and other leading figures at a ceremony for the opening of the new judicial year in Ankara, warning of the dangers of growing authoritarianism in Turkey
~~~
Hurriyet Daily News, 2 September 2013, Turkey’s top judge issues key democracy message

Education in Kurdish not written into new Constitution
The right to education in one’s mother tongue has been left out of protection in the draft Constitution, a decision justified by its supporters on the grounds that it would be possible to arrange mother tongue education through laws.
~~~
Hurriyet Daily News, 30 August 2013, Education in Kurdish not written into new Constitution