Turkey Improves in Corruption Perception

Turkey has ranked 65th in Transparency International's 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) despite the remarkable improvement last year.

More than two-thirds of the 159 nations surveyed scored less than five out of a clean score of 10.

Turkey's corruption perception indices rose in 2005 following the improvements in 2003 and 2004. The CPI figures for 2003 and 2004 were successively 3.1 and 3.2.

The CPI rate of Turkey for 2005 was recorded 3.5.

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19.10.2005 10:37:00
Cihan News Agency

Turkey Tunning out of Patience with PKK in N. Iraq

Turkey would take necessary steps to end the presence of PKK terrorists in the mountains of northern Iraq Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

"Turkey has maintained a certain degree of tolerance up to now, but Turkey cannot continue thus anymore," Erdogan told a meeting of his parliamentary party.

The terrorist presence in northern Iraq must be stamped out, he stressed.

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19.10.2005 10:34:00
Cihan News Agency

70% 'Yes' Votes in Diyala

It is reported that the rate of “yes” votes in Sunnite-majorty Diyala is 70 percent while vote counting continues after the referendum.

Adil Abdullatif, the president of the Election Commission in Diyala, said that 20 percent of the voters voted “no” in Diyala and added that 10 voting ballots in the region were not counted due to irregularity.

According to the results coming from Sunni majority Ninova, about 264,000 people voted “yes” in the elections and 95,000 people voted “no.”

In order for the charter frame to be accepted in Iraq more than half of the voters should vote “yes” in the referendum and there should not be “no” votes over the two-thirds in three of 18 states in Iraq.

16.10.2005 17:25:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

Romania: 18,000 Birds Killed

Officials said that 18,000 birds were killed in Romania.

To prevent further cases of the bird flu, 18,000 birds were killed in Ceamurlia de Jos, and over three thousand birds will be slaughtered soon in Maliuc, said Romanian Minister of Agriculture Gheorghe Flutur.

Ceamurlia de Jos will be under a 21-day quarantine, said the officials, adding that all the vehicles passing through the area are disinfected at checkpoints.

British tests had produced results to confirm that Romanian cases of the bird flu carry the H5N1 virus.

The European commission also had confirmed that the avian influenza in Romania was infused through the H5N1 strain.

[15:28:00]

16.10.2005 17:20:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

'Death Toll to Increase Due to Bad Weather Conditions'

It is reported that the death toll is expected to increase more after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Pakistan last week.

Major General in Pakistan Army Faruq Ahmad Khan noted in the press conference he organized that 39,442 people were killed in Pakistan and 65,038 people were injured due to the earthquake. He indicated that the debris removal process was still continuing.

Han voiced the worry that the bad weather conditions in the country may kill the homeless in the country.

16.10.2005 16:55:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

Sunnis Succeeded in 2 States; Musul to Decide

The high turnout of Sunni Arabs, who opposed the charter frame, in the referendum yesterday (October 15) in Iraq worries Shiite and Kurdish leaders. The vote counting process still continues.

The turnout in Divala, Ninova and Selahaddin states, where Sunni Arabs constitute the majority, was 66 percent in the referendum in which the general turnout was 61 percent. In order for Sunnis to prevent the affirmation of the charter frame, 2 out of 3 must vote no in at least three states. The initial results show that Sunnis easily outnumbered the critical line. For instance in Tikrit, where the counting process has ended, the rate of “no” votes is 95 percent and in Samarra it is 65 percent.

The observers note that Ninova and Diyala states, where the population is more heterogenic, especially the capital of Ninova Musul (Mousul) will be the deciding states of the election result. There are Shiites, Kurds, Christians, Turkmen in Mousul, which is the third biggest city of Iraq. Sunni and Shiite populations also live together In Diyala state.

It is estimated that there will be a 90 percent “yes” for the charter frame in 9 states where Shiites constitute the majority and in 3 states where Kurds constitute the majority.

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16.10.2005 16:49:00
Cihan News Agency

US: Iraq Approves Charter Frame

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the charter frame was most probably approved in the referendum conducted yesterday (October 15).

Rice noted during her visit in London that there was a high turnout in the regions where especially Sunnis live and added that the general expectation is that the Iraqi people confirmed the new charter frame in the referendum.

[13:24:00]

16.10.2005 15:47:00

First Results from Iraqi Constitution Referendum

The first results of the Iraqi Constitution referendum are coming as the vote-counting process still continues. Karbala Elections Commission Chair Safa al-Musevi informed that 440 thousand people cast votes in Karbala and 95 percent of them said, “Yes” to the referendum.

The turnout in Karbala was 60 percent.

[12:20:00]

16.10.2005 14:14:00

UK Prepares Emergency Action Plan Against Possible Bird Flu

The British parliament has reportedly prepared an “emergency action plan” against a possible bird flu epidemic.

It was reported that measures such as closing schools, canceling sports activities and using police to prevent panic might be taken in the emergency action plan.

The British newspaper, Independent, on Sunday reported that 2.5 million doses of vaccines will be purchased and they will be first implemented on the health team that will combat the epidemic.

[12:18:00]

16.10.2005 14:12:00

Israeli Army Detains 6 Palestinians in the West Bank

The Israeli army reported that six Palestinians were detained in the West Bank.

A statement from the army said that five Hamas members, who were wanted for involvement in the attacks towards Israel, were detained in the Dahariye region.

16.10.2005 13:08:00

Russia Wants Closer Defense Relations with India

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said Russia was ready to make new defense agreements with India.

Ivanov, who came to India for a three-day visit to see the land and air operations conducted jointly by Russia and India, said that he hoped India and Russia will sign a military agreement, which will pave the way for military technology transfer in the future.

Ivanov said both countries plan to work together on their advanced war planes, war vessels and submarines.

16.10.2005 13:07:00

Helicopter Crash in Pakistan Kills Six

A Pakistani relief helicopter flying an aid mission crashed, killing six people aboard.

The MI-17 transport helicopter was returning to its base late Saturday after it dropped off relief workers in the earthquake area; crashing near the town of Bagh, all six people on board were killed, said a top-level military official.

All those killed were military personnel, and the cause of the crash is not yet clear, reporters said. However, extremely severe weather may have caused the crash.

[07:15:00]

16.10.2005 11:52:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

Israel Stops Import of Eggs from Turkey

Israel has stopped importing eggs from Turkey as a precaution against the bird flu.

Although Israel has not imposed limitations on traveling to Turkey and Romania as a measure against the bird flu, it has suspended the import of eggs from Turkey, Israeli Health Minister Danny Naveh told the Israeli Radio.

Israel is in close contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is carefully analyzing the course of events. Israel will soon buy necessary medicines and vaccines as a precaution against the bird flu pandemic.

[10:01:00]

Borrell: Cyprus now Becomes an EU Issue

The Cyprus issue has turned to a European Union issue said the European Parliament President Josep Borrell as he reported that the solution will be found out under United Nations (UN) roof.

Speaking about his meetings in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and with the Greek Cypriot administration during a news conference at Lefkose (Nicosia) Ledra Palas Hotel, Borrell claimed all Cypriot Turks and Greek Cypriots have been defined as EU citizens along with their EU membership. He also recorded that the EU is to be ready in the solution process.

Turkey’s starting entry talks with the EU, Borrell said, are an opportunity to activate new openings necessary for the solution of the Cyprus issue which should not be missed.

He also claimed The Greek Cypriot administration contributed to the start of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations and added, “I think we should thank Greek officials since they played a role in the determination to start EU negotiations with Turkey.”

[16:16:00]

06.10.2005 18:17:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

Blair Suspects Iran for the Attacks in Iraq

British Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani earlier today and he said they are partners in democratic changes in this country.

After the meeting, Blair held a news conference and acknowledged the leap forward in democracy within the past three years in Iraq. As long as Iraqi administration asks, they will remain, he added.

Asked about a British official’s accusations for Iran, Blair said a new kind of explosive has been used lately in attacks against multinational forces in Iraq and that the structure of the explosive caused suspicions about the role of Iran and Hezbollah.

No one can completely be sure of this Blair said, but he reminded Iran that the British troops are in Iraq upon United Nations resolution and that supporting terrorism against multinational forces and the intervention in Iraq is unacceptable.

British Prime Minister emphasized that Iran refuses all these claims, but the investigations will go on.

[15:53:00]

06.10.2005 16:30:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

250 IRA Properties Confiscated in Manchester

Two hundred and fifty real estate properties have been confiscated in the British city of Manchester on the grounds that they belong to Irish Republican Army.

The Press Association in Britain claimed the confiscated properties belong to two businessmen. As the investigation is still continuing, no details have been submitted.

[12:26:00]

06.10.2005 14:36:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

NATO to Send more Troops to Afghanistan

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is thinking to expand its field of operations towards the south of Afghanistan next year and plans to increase the number of troops in this country to 10,000-15,000. NATO Secretary-Genereal Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told reporters following a meeting with Afghani President Hamit Kharzai on Wednesday that though he cannot give an exact number, it could reach 15,000. Military experts from NATO member countries are working to finalize the plan on expansion of the field of operations to the south of the country where Taliban militias are active. [13:55:00] 06.10.2005 14:34:00 Anadolu News Agency (aa)

Romanian Operation on Al-Qaeda Deports 5 Students

Five students reported to have links with the al-Qaeda terrorist network have been deported from Romania during an operation and have been banned from returning to the country for 15 years.

Romanian Intelligence Service Spokesman Marus Bercaru has informed about deportation of these individuals after their detention during an operation in the city of Yash, north of capital Bucharest.

Bercaru declined to give information about which country the students were sent to, yet the Spokesman underlined the purpose of the operation as to eliminate this fundamentalist religious network in Romania and to exclude these people from Romanian territory.

[11:46:00]

06.10.2005 12:45:00
Anadolu News Agency (aa)

'Turkey Ready for EU Negotiations'

Turkish bureaucracy, coordinated by Turkey's Chief European Union Negotiator Ali Babacaan, is ready for the EU negotiation process which will commence actively on October 20, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Spokesman Cemil Cicek told at a press conference after the present government's 100th cabinet meeting that the opening of the EU talks would pave the way for a new phase in Turkey.

Turkey's success during the tough negotiation process would depend on its performance, Cicek acknowledged, "The speed of Turkey's EU talks rests on Turkey's performance."

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EU Absorption Capacity in Copenhagen Criteria

The absorption capacity of the European Union for new members is already included within the scope of the Copenhagen criteria, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said on Wednesday.

Turkey's negotiation document says the EU's cohesion and effectiveness must be safeguarded and that its capacity to absorb Turkey, while maintaining the momentum of European integration, is an important consideration for both the EU and Turkey.

Opposition parties in Turkey and Austria claim the reference to absorption capacity is a new condition.

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