Turkey-Press Scan (2)

VATAN

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TURKEY GOING THROUGH ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE

Prominent U.S. daily New york Times published an op-ed entitled "Turkey's shifting diplomacy" by Alastair Crooke.

"Most significantly, Turkey has finally shrugged off the straightjacket of a tight U.S. alliance, grown virtually indifferent to E.U. membership and turned its focus toward its former Ottoman neighbors in Asia and the Middle East," it said.

"Though not primarily meant as a snub to the West, this shift does nonetheless reflect growing discomfort and frustration with U.S. and E.U. policy, from the support of Israel;s action in Gaza to Iran to the frustrated impasse of the European accession process. It also resonates more closely with the Islamic renaissance that has been taking place within Turkey," the article said.

"If Turkey continues successfully down this path, it will be as strategically significant for the balance of power in the region as the emergence of Iran as a pre-eminent power thanks to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the later destruction of Sunni dominance in Iraq by the U.S. invasion," it added.

ARINC CONFUSES

Asked about Council of State ruling that cancelled the coefficient system in university exam, Arinc said he would speak up about it after the Eid al Adha holiday. In response to a reporter who said, "I understand you will be harsh", Arinc said, "harsh or not, I will say something." Arinc's remarks were interpreted by political analysts as "interesting things will happen after the holiday."

CUMHURIYET

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TURKEY TO EXPORT OLIVE OIL TO CHINA

Members of the Committee to Promote Olive and Olive Oil attended the Food and Hotel China 2009 Trade Fair. Kadri Gundes, a member of the committee, said that visitors from the Far Eastern countries showed great interest in their products. "We are aiming at increasing our exports of olive and olive oil to those countries," he added.

IZNIK TILES IN SHOP WINDOWS OF HERMES

Shop windows of the main building of the prominent French fashion-house Hermes were decorated with Iznik tiles. Under an agreement between the Hermes and the Iznik Foundation, the shop windows of the Hermes' main building at 24 rue du Faubourg St. Honore were covered with Iznik tiles for the Christmas.

RADIKAL

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MAJOR ARRESTED

Director of the intelligence department of the Provincial Gendarmerie Command in the northern province of Erzincan was arrested under the Ergenekon probe. The major was detained on November 25. After being interrogated by an authorized prosecutor, the major was arrested by the court and sent to the military prison in the neighboring province of Erzurum.

CRISIS LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN E-TRADE

Economic crisis lead to an 18 percent increase in e-trade. People preferred remaining at home because of the economic crisis, and began shopping in internet, experts said.

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