Sponsor of Beverages of IIS-Turkish Airlines International Football League

We would like to present IIS RAINBOW’s new issue of the summer season bringing the cool days in the grip of the upcoming hot and sunny weather.

IIS RAINBOW has just finished its first year with this – sixth - issue and attracted great attention by readers. Readers’ critics are going to be stimulating and motivating for RAINBOW team to work for more enhanced, diverse and multicultural with the articles and writers.

Rainbow goes on reflecting its colours in the new issue both from Turkish culture but also from different cultures all around the world. You will find handy tips telling how to cope with stress, warm interviews with Irish ambasassador to Ankara H. E. Mr. Thomas Russel and General Director of Turkish Airlines and also the articles about socio-cultural events, health and international relations.

We hope readers find this issue to be a helpful overview of the highlights of the season and wish you new happy and joyful summer.

DITORIAL

A. Murat FATSAPublishing Manager and Editor in Chief

murat.fatsa@intersociety.net

Issue. 6 May/June 2011Owner

on behalf of International Interaction Society Mesut Gümüşdoğrayan

Editor in ChiefA. Murat Fatsa

EditorYuzbeny Escobar Altunay

Associate EditorsEmel Arslan Deniz

Sefa DenizoğluCreative & Art Director

Zelkif Çavuş KandemirGraphic

Timuçun İpekTranslationsMesut Temiz

Public Relations Sefa Denizoğlu

Production

0.312 442 75 10

Printing Dumat Ofset Matbaacılık

IIS RainbowUğur Mumcunun Sokağı No: 44/1

G.O.P. / Çankaya - ANKARAP. 0 312 436 10 86 • F. 0 312 436 10 98

www.intersociety.net • rainbow@intersociety.net

“Home Sweet Home”Regardless of the reason, returning to Miami simply means returning home. Although I’ve started my own family in Turkey, and have adapted in many ways to life here, I still do not feel it in my heart to call it home. Despite the fact I’ve lived in Venezuela, Colombia, and California, Miami is the city that saw me grow up. It is the place where I’ve lived the longest, where I made the best of friends, where I earned my university degrees, where I met my husband, and spent endless moments enjoying the beaches, sun, and palm trees. Three distinct creations that tell me I am home when the plane begins to descend and there is the clear visibility of Miami’s palm trees and beaches.

The hot sunny days, the humidity, and the diversity among individuals all point to one word: Home. Not to mention the joy of reuniting with my parents, sister, dog, and friends.

Returning home fills me with a joy and that familiar feeling of knowing where you are. Time spent there seems endless, but there’s always that cruel and necessary day that marks the end of my stay. Trip after trip leaves me with the same empty, sad feeling that inevitably possesses me as packing begins and I must say goodbye.

Like I’ve said before, half my heart is in Miami, half my heart is in Turkey. It’s difficult to live at ease when there’s that constant void inside of you. Returning to Turkey only reassures me how much I want to go back. However, such a decision is not so simple to make. In the meantime, I continue being thankful for having the opportunity of living in another country.

While many are the challenges I face, in particular the language and being far from my family, I’ve also had the opportunity to experience many wonderful moments in Turkey. The saying “Home is where the heart is” is not so simple to apply in my case. But then again, having my heart in two places gives me the chance of having two homes after all.

DITORIAL

Yuzbeny Escobar Altunay Editor

yuzbeny.altunay@intersociety.net

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EVLİYA ÇELEBİ: The Great Traveler of the 17th Century

BE A VOLUNTEER!Temel KotilStress: The Modern Nuisance

KOSOVO COUNTRYSEMINAR

CHALLENGING “OTHERNESS” IN THE EU

Irish AmbassadorH.E. Mr. Thomas RUSSELL

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

Gaziantep - A City of Culture

Role of Social Mediain Middle East uprisings

Erdoğan’s Iraq Visit:

Old Song, New Era

Steve BennettCaptain of UK/IRE Team of IIS-TA Football League, Diplomat in the British Embassy

Football has always been a part of our life in ANKARA

The IIS-TA Football League 2010-2011

Season Review

DERMAROLLERS AND DERMATHERAPY

Katyusha

News Review

&CULTURE DIARYART

Evliya Celebi was born in Istanbul to an established and rich family from Kütahya. Evliya Celebi began

his education in a district school followed by the Enderun School, which was a school affiliated with the court. He learned the intricate arts of calligraphy and embroidery from his father who was a goldsmith. He was also very interested in music. His keen interest in traveling served as the first spark of the 10-volume The Seyatname he wrote in the following years.

Throughout his years, the desire to discover became irresistible after a dream he experienced. First, he began to travel around Istanbul and wrote notes about his trips. Eventually, he also had opportunities to see a lot of places during his task of delivering letters during wartimes. He also worked as the accounted of Defterdarzade Mehmed Pasha in the province of Erzurum and thus, had the chance of seeing other provinces around Erzurum, adding information about these provinces to his notes. Evliya Celebi joined many wars and the loots he attained in these wars and the fortune bequeathed to him from his wealthy family made him live a comfortable and wealthy life. He died as a single man after he returned from his travel to Egypt.

Evliya Celebi who traveled for nearly fifty years and had many experiences in his travels, made a lot of observations in the cities and about the nations he visited. He explained in understandable and plain language the daily lives, dialects and many details of the cultures of these nations. In his book, he told not only what he saw, but his own thoughts as well. Thus, he formed a geography-culture atlas defining the Caucasus, Arab countries, Balkans and Central Europe of the 17th centuries. He observed the places he visited in terms of their cuisines, folk dances, accents, notable ceremonies, music, folk poems, ballads and social behaviors and described all these in his book in detail. Furthermore, he described all

EVLİYA ÇELEBİ: The Great Traveler of the 17th Century

Evliya Celebi was one of the greatest travelers of the 17th century. He lived between 1611-1682 and spent nearly 50 years of his life traveling almost all of the Ottoman territories.

by Emel Arslan Denizemel.deniz@intersociety.net

May / June 2011 7

the remarkable buildings and structures such as, masjids, houses, palaces, mansions, churches and monasteries in the regions he visited.

The Seyahatname is plain in terms of its language; however, it comprises a number of dialects. The reason why it is like that is because the traveler described a region in the regions’ own dialect. The original of this great work is now in the libraries of Istanbul.

In the first volume of this 10-volume piece of great work, Evliya Celebi describes the mosques, madrasas, masjids, shrines, dervish lodges, imarets, hospitals, mansions, caravansaries, and public baths in Istanbul. The volume also describes the viziers and marksmen who were appointed since the reign of Muhammad II, the shopkeepers and artisans of Istanbul, and the general history of the city.

The second volume includes the description of the vicinity of the province of Bursa and the history of the region, as well as the Ottoman sultans before Muhammad II, i.e. Osman Bey, Orhan Bey, Murad I, Bayazid I, Muhammad I and Murad II. It also discusses the craftsmanship of the province of Bursa as well as the regions of Trebizond and Georgia.

The third volume includes his travel from Istanbul to Damascus and detailed information about all the cities and towns on route. The forth volume includes information on Iran and Iraq and his appointment to Iran as an ambassador. The other volumes include information about his travels to many places such as Rumelia, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Crete and Thessalonica.

The ninth and tenth volumes include information about all the cities and towns on the route to Mecca and Medina, as well as these two cities. And lastly, he depicted in the tenth volume before his death, Egypt and its vicinity in a very detailed fashion.

This ten-volume work, which is unique in the world’s history, includes many interesting information from a surgery operation performed in Austria to a joke about the cold weather in the province of Erzurum, and to the names of Istanbul throughout history.

After he described Egypt and its vicinity in the tenth volume of his work, Evliya Celebi died just after he returned from Egypt to Istanbul.

The last volumes of “The Seyahatname,” which is a cultural heritage, was printed in 1938. The volumes can be found today in many bookstores in simplified editions or in the form of “Selections from the Seyahatname.”

UNESCO included the 400th anniversary of the Ottoman traveler and scholar Evliya Celebi’s birth to its timetable for the celebration of anniversaries. We also respectfully commemorate this great traveler and scholar who opened us the doors to the many places he visited.

We often define the concept of volunteerism only as the actions individuals carry out

without any obligation. However, volunteerism does not consist of only a few words, nor is it a pastime activity for some people. It is not an activity involving the approach “Let me do some favor to people just to have done some good,” either. But rather it is a process of producing value. It is producing intellectual and spiritual value by spending valuable time. It means working on the person, body, and soul. It means working without calculating future personal profit in the field of education or maybe together with volunteer groups.

Volunteers should advise the best for each individual living in society. They should transfer their accumulation of experiences in the field in which they specialized in, and carry this on to new volunteers. They should always be embracing and should avoid any kind of discrimination based on religious, linguistic or racial differences in all the voluntary activities they carry out. They should open the doors of their heart wide and spend their time, without thinking of personal interests, rather just think what can be done for the good of people.

There is no gender to volunteerism. It is not female

or male. It has only one quality: “volunteer”… Today, many volunteers working for volunteer organizations operating around the world carry out their activities by making considerable sacrifices in their lives. The primary objectives of these people are to contribute to the establishment of a clean and virtuous society, or to protect nature which provides us with countless beauties, or to help a child maybe they will never see. Their only aim while doing this is to show what is good, right and beautiful. They share their knowledge. In short, “Volunteerism” is a lifestyle.

The leading institutions of the world are also paying attention to this concept, and the United Nations has declared 2001 as the “International Volunteerism Year.” The United Nations has also decided for the 5th of December to be commemorated as the “World Volunteers Day.” The European Commission has declared this year, 2011, as the “European Volunteers Day.” In Turkey also, the European Voluntary Service that runs as a Youth Program sub-activity by the Center for the EU Education and Youth Programs (The Turkish National Agency), supports the volunteer activities that are the theme for this year. By means of this program, which provides young people between the ages of 18-30 BE

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EUROPEAN VOLUNTEERS YEARIn 2011, be a volunteer for anyone or anything!

by Emel Arslan Denizemel.deniz@intersociety.net

May / June 2011 9

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!with opportunities for carrying out, without any charge, non-profit activities individually or in groups in five application periods. The individuals carrying out European Voluntary Services will have the chance to transmit their own experiences and culture to other societies, and the experiences and culture of other societies to their own society. They also will have the chance to establish new respectable friendships, experiencing the feeling of producing benefit for society at the same time. They experience, together with the other individuals taking part in the voluntary services, the feelings of sharing, helping other people, and assuming social responsibility. For detailed information on this program you can visit the website of the Center for EU Education and Youth Programs at www.ua.gov.tr or the social networking site www.facebook.com/ulusalajans.

The 2011 EU budget for the “European Volunteers Year” was approved by the European Parliament at € 8 million. By means of the actions to be carried out with the allocated budget, it is aimed to increase the social participation of non-governmental organizations, and to emphasize the importance of volunteer activities.

Through the “European Volunteers Year” campaigns that are strongly supported by Non-Governmental Organizations as well, it aims to strengthen sensitivity and to provide opportunities for young people who want to carry out real volunteer services, but do not know how to do this. It also aims to provide opportunities for young people who want to canalize their knowledge and skills to different causes, and do not want these skills of theirs to lie fallow, thus allowing them to produce value for society.

When we review our lives, more meaningful than breathing, we have the chance this year to carry out voluntary services. We should live assuming responsibility not only for ourselves, but also for other people. In our age, this world is like a big single country, and many people somewhere in it are waiting for you, and will be waiting for you until the end of your life, for your voluntary services.

IIS – You have been the General Manager for 6 years in a corporation that was transformed from “State Airlines Corporation” founded in 1933 to Turkish Airlines in 2011, spanning 78 years, transforming from a corporation of which privitization operations were accelarated in 2003, and which was sure to be on the sales list, to a corporation that grew 4 times as much in the last 9 years.

How did you manage to enable this corporation to experience such an incredible growth?

Temel Kotil - We can answer this question in different ways. Turkey is a hub and at one end, we have the East and at the other, we have the West. This can be adopted in both cultural and business terms. We can answer your question based on this concept of bridge as well as the acceptance of the brand we have established all over the world. I can answer your question in terms of growth in volume and our coverage in the world but –let me state immediately that – this concept of coverage goes beyond the concept of bridge. We can also consider the success we have achieved in terms of synergy and the fact that the employees work devotedly. But, in summary, I can talk about only two aspects, if you like.

Firstly, when Mr. Binali Yıldırım, the Minister of Transportation, took office at the beginning of 2003, among the leading policies pursued was a competitive aviation sector. Secondly, the fact that our governments considered our sector as one that triggers other sectors and provides a basis in offering

them employees and new business opportunities, instead of viewing it as a sector providing finance/cash call. And therefore, they have removed any existing overtaxes. Besides, our airports have been renovated substantially.

Secondly, let me talk about the concept of “bridge.” A scholar mentions that Turks used to sell horses they bred to the Chinese in Central Asia based on the “bartering” method, and they had silk and spices in return and thus combining the two ends of the famous trade route of “Silk Road.” That is, if you aim to serve as a bridge, you need to touch both ends and establish a current like electricity, touching only one end will not establish a current and there will not be energy established.

Through the “network” and “bridges” we established, we have managed to touch different ends and establish current and energy. We have always been a leading deep-rooted corporation in Europe since 1933 and ¾ of our revenues come from our international flights. However, our domestic flights increased from 5 million to about 15 million flights– with an increase of about 3 times -, and our international flights increased from about 4.5 m to 9 m, that is an increase twice as much. These are expected figures, the extraordinary part is : the number of our passengers in the Middle East increased from 200 thousand to 2 million, with an increase 10 times as much! What I mean is: What we did was transforming these flight destinations which were like a blind alley into a bridge and thus providing sustainability and establishing a current. That is for instance you travel from Europe to

by Serhat Sayar serhat.sayar@intersociety.net

Temel Kotil

May / June 2011 11

transfer to the Middle East, Africa or to Asia etc, and similarly you come from the latter to the former. This way we generate positive electricity.

Turkey is, no doubt, situated in a very central location, and we have known this fact from our very childhood days. I want to show you a graph. The curve here represents the unit expense curve, that is the expense per distance. As the flight distance increases, you see that prices drop. It is so easy to understand; when we fly short haul, the time of fixed altitude flight when little fuel is consumed is so short, except for the take-off and landing, when the most fuel is used. Besides in each flight you pay for the ground services. When these expenses are divided into unit distance, short haul flights are expensive. As we are located in the hub of aviation, in the flight time range of 3-5 hours, this unit expense is minimized, that is it coincides with Europe where money abounds and the potential is h i g h e r . On the other e n d o f

the graph are the long haul flights, such as to Hong Kong and to Singapore. Here we can efficiently use our smaller aircraft as provided by larger aircrafts in long haul flights. This enables us to introduce higher frequency to many destinations, that is to say, we can schedule frequent flights. Here we have taken another step to make Turkey a hub in the world through scientific methods; hence, our motto

“Natural Hub of the World.” That is, we are natural! (laughters).

IIS – After graduating from Aeronautical Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University in 1983, you received two master’s degrees in the USA and you

received your PhD degree in mechanical engineering in the USA. Then you returned to Turkey and continued your academic career as the pioneer

of first experiences. Most probably the most

prominent p e r i o d

o f

May / June 2011 13

your career, which is full of success, is the period when your career intersected with Turkish Airlines.

How did you feel when you were appointed as a manger in one of the leading corporations of the sector in which you are an expert in technical and scientific terms? Did you experience the feeling of making your dreams come true?

TK – Of course my position at the moment does not involve scientific R&D activities like in academic studies. It is not an appealing position in terms of conducting research about the unknown. Then I moved from scientific activities which I liked enormously to the management of a company which is highly prestigious, providing challenges and opportunities alike and which is a giant in terms of finance. I experienced some hesitations in such terms, as I lived abroad for a long time and after making detailed calculations, I could not turn down the proposal. I do not want to be misunderstood, this was a proposal I liked and I was proud of. I have been here for 8 years, including 2 years of service in the technical department, I think I have been holding the title of General Manager for the longest period in Turkish Airlines.

IIS - THY was awarded as the company with best financing in the world for two years consecutively. There is no state warranty in none of the aircrafts you have purchased in the past 8 years, the corporation obtains loans based on its own company balance sheet.

This is a graph that grows and reassures the sector, do you identify this with the general conditions in Turkey?

TK – Let me state that Turkey is doing so well at the moment, and everybody is surprised about the good performance of Turkey beyond our expectations. For

instance, we have a very good graph here; this red one is the graph of Turkey, the graph that includes Turkish Airlines as well as all other airlines in Turkey. On the other side, you have the world airlines. The other scale indicates the rates of growth. At the breaking point in 2004, which is the harvest of the seeds sown in 2003, the world’s aviation grew by about 14%, then as the world’s aviation sector descended, we ascended. Turkey in general– including us as a corporation – has achieved momentum of growth in almost all aspects. At the moment, we, as Turkish Airlines, are among the companies with good references in the world; for example one of the awards we received is the latest “Leading Airline” award in Washington DC.

As for finance, Turkish Airlines became a private company in 2006. Before that, we had state warranty about the aircraft we purchased, but I do not think we needed that. In the privatization process, we paid off all our debts without installments in order to release the state warranty with us and to remove the high interest rate of our debt to Airbus in the purchasing process. Of course, this has to do with your financial power, a company without financial power cannot be considered as a large company. Of course, we received awards for the efficiency of the financial methods we have pursued. With the successful work of our colleagues in the financial group, we purchased aircraft from France and Japan based on very low interest rates and with taxation advantages.

IIS – How many destinations is Turkish Airlines flying to directly? What was the contribution of becoming a Star Alliance member to the corporation and to the group?

TK – Then, I need to count them. (Laughters). As of the end of the year, we fly to 136 international and 41 domestic destinations and we are the 8th largest in terms of coverage territory. One end of this territory is Osaka in Japan, and the other is Los Angeles, that is we have combined both coasts of the

Pacific. Of course, there is an meticulously-designed underlying policy. Today Europe constitutes 28% of world aviation and provides an annual turnover of 150 billion dollars, and we target a turnover of 7.5 billion dollars this year. We proceeded from 1.5 billion to 7.5 billion. We transport this potential of Europe to Turkey, and from here, as a transit to the East and the South, like a bridge, the concept of bridge we mentioned has to do with this policy. The flights of our corporation were uni-directional and like a blind alley back then, from here to Europe and from Europe to here, that was it. In the graph, this curve is the transfer passanger curve, that is the passengers that cross the bridge, and as they cross, they make their contributions and this takes place in both directions. In 2006, we changed our boss; after becoming a private corporation, based on the idea that the boss is whoever pays, our clients have become our bosses. Here is one of the principles of the success you just mentioned in your question.

IIS – A comprehensive quality improvement covers rejuvenating the fleet and the increase of the number and quality of the services provided. How do you decide on your strategies?

TK – So simple: if an airline company provides better services in a destination we fly to, we aim to exceed that company. Our aim is to make –positive- surprise(s) to the passengers. In one of our international flights, we met two Americans. I introduced myself and I told them that I would ask them if they enjoyed the service after the flight, they were surprised. They are surprised, thinking “How can they do this?”, while we ask ourselves “Why can’t we do it?”. Our aim is to provide services beyond the expectations. We believe and concentrate on that, we have time, energy and technical equipment and funds to achieve this.

IIS – Joy of eating at a restaurant on board, delicious dishes in cooperation with Do&Co. First, Business Class, then First Class and Comfort Class, what is next?

TK – Catering services is very important, and even though it is the safest means of travelling, there are still people hesitating. We work to provide the most comfortable environment for such people and an environment of a peaceful restaurant. In catering services, the quality of presentation is important. For that, I can claim that we are the only airline company in the world that provides in-service training to the cabin staff each month. As recruitment of employees to the company that achieves an annual growth rate about 20% is continuous, training is one of the most important issues for us. This naturally enables us to increase our service quality.

In our catering services, content is as important as the presentation, the taste of the food we offer is always delicious because of the fresh ingredients, as we never use frozen vegetables. Everything we offer is prepared fresh as if in your own kitchen and of course people know and appreciate this. Satisfaction is achieved when this taste combines with all other arts of service, in an artistic integrity ranging from the visual appeal of presentation to the colours in the interior design of the aircraft.

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IIS – The idea to shoot commercials with world stars, starting with Kevin Costner, is genius. Whose idea was Kevin Costner?

TK – Of our colleagues here. It is a bit assertive to say so but we have the best public relations professionals. We started with Costner, but there is an underlying work, this is the tip of the iceberg. Do you know how much the budget we reserved for promotion and brand creation in 2005 was? Five million dollars. Last year this figure was 80 million dollars, this year it is 100. 5, an increase of 20 times as much. But five million dollars were so valuable for us back then, I remember the days we spent it. You may remember, in that commercial we covered the sky with tulips, it was a very invaluable investment for us, as we aimed to make more efficient business with little money. In one of them, our aircraft was proceeding in a street in Singapore, this is how a brand is built, by putting pieces together. In one of the promotions I liked the best we covered the highest building in Bangkok with an advertisement of Turkish Airlines for 6 months for 60 thousand dollars, it was possible to see the poster from all parts of the city. After all, all of them are parts of a whole, there is too much underlying work and we work with high quality professionals.

IIS – Turkish Airlines is the brand of Turkey. How did Kobe Bryant evaluate the idea of commercial? What was the background like? Whose idea was it to make Kobe cook?

TK – Let me start with the last question. We work with crazy agencies. They can propose anything to add public relations value. This is the skill of the companies we work with. They also design the production, we congratulate them but I have to appreciate the efficient work of our PR staff in the headquarters here. But in the case of Kobe, our manager there, in Los Angeles, fixed it. We decided to fly to Los Angeles. We appointed Ms. Fatma to the office there, she is a very successful colleague. Of course what you see is the end-product, the tip.

She went there, and decorated all Los Angeles with Turkish Airlines posters and billboards. Of course she did that with her team, she could not have achieved this on her own. We have a very efficient team there. Then she arranged an appointment with Kobe Bryant, she met him in person and proposed about the commercial. They liked it, as we are a company to be liked. For example, I arranged a visit to Los Angeles, to tell the truth, I traveled to Los Angeles to meet some investors. As I was returning from LA she fixed a meeting with the NYT there, that’s the way we do it, when we travel abroad, we do not consider only one office but we also meet a journalist or visit a television channel. This is an all-out campaign in which everybody in the company contributes to, that is. This is an all-out campaign in which I also play my part. Because we need to sell our products, becasue we have a lot of products, we have so many products since we have grown so much.

IIS - We watched the commercials with Barcelona. We observed that you have turned Turkish Airlines into a world brand. Do you have some more new surprises for us? In fact, we can ask what is left.

TK – Our colleagues keep conceiving new projects. I know some of them, but let’s see them together, that’s why I am not sharing them with you at the moment. We want to do everything possible to promote Turkish Airlines. We have both the funds and intentions, but these take time to develop. We took a shot, and it was good, we hit the target. But we will not stop here, we will concentrate on other targets as still billions of people in the world do not know about us. We aim to be known by everybody. Let me state an interesting one. We have luggage tags. They made earrings out of them in Africa, and they looked so cute and elegant. It can be fashionable in Turkey too, but we aim to concentrate on the entire world. Africa, Asia, wherever. We want to become the airline of everybody. Africa should not be in between the lines. We focus special attention

on Africa. It is a beautiful continent.

IIS - “International Interaction Society – Turkish Airlines” football league is one of the sports organizations you sponsor. It is unique in terms of its formation and structure, just like Turkish Airlines. Do you believe that sports have a special power and effect in communication? In this context, how do you like sports?

TK – If we remember our childhood years, like everybody, I liked sports very much, this is a fact. But I should say that because of my busy schedule here I cannot do sports, but still I like and enjoy sports. Sports are the common culture of human beings. They do not distinguish between colors, cultures, religions, this is something common. In sports, people exhibit his/her mental and physical skills, both go together, they cannot exist in isolation, it is synchronized. Human body has incredible skills as long as your spirit, your mind, and body work together and they synchronize. Do you see sports? Then that’s why it has such a respect. We support sports, but in addition to sports, we also support cultural activities. Besides sports, we have social responsibility projects. We support the environment. Above all, we are human beings and our company is a very humanistic one. We operate in the service sector. In time, we want to perform the activities we cannot conceive at the moment in time. Whatever belongs to man belongs to us.

IIS – You fly thousands of people, passengers from all nations and cultures. International Interaction Society also has members from different cultures and nations. How do you evaluate the transformation of differences into wealth in providing quality services to the citizens of the world? What are your recommendations?

TK – In fact, differences on their own are wealth. What would happen if everything around you were in single color? If the world were one color, consisting of

grey, how would that feel? It would not make sense. Wherever we look, we see a texture, and a detail. In one of the videos I like the best; one person is sitting by the lake in Chicago, somebody takes a photo, then zooming in 10 times , and 10 times again in zooming in, we are right there in the middle. That means, we are right at the location where the detail has been maximized. Now by amplifying 10 times, you can see the gaps in the space, the features loosen a bit, there are gaps in between. When you move downwards, when you consider particles smaller than an atom, there are atom gaps, because the atom nucleus and electrons are tiny. The dimension we are in is the location where the enlarging rate is at the maximum in detail. There are incredible details. As this occupies us in detail, the differences are wealth. I really like that video.

IIS – Many companies and corporations are setting targets for the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Republic. What are your targets for 2023?

TK – Now we have 12 long years before us. More or less when we restructured in 2003, if the company gained momentum in 2005, if the turnever increased 5 times as much in 6 years of increase, this means we can achieve more than that in 12 years because it has to do with exponents. This will make us the largest company in the world in terms of turnover. Of course even though we become the largest in terms of turnover, this is not satisfactory for us. We aim to have the best of the profit, even profit is not satisfactory on its own, we aim to be the best brand. We aim to be the airline company with the most comprehensive flights. This means, people from all over the world can arrive in Istanbul. This has already happened in recent years. Istanbul will turn into a center. That is, the fact that a city becomes a center makes it connected through bridges. Now we call Istanbul a center, all right. We believe in that cordially, but we do not have many world connections. How can it become a center? The

May / June 2011 17

location which is only used for transfer cannot become a center. In order to become a center the flights should be directly, nothing but directly. In 2023, we will connect İstanbul as a present for the 100th Anniversary, practically with all locations in the world, and with all the important cities of the world. What does that mean? That means hundreds of cities, it means hundreds of additional cities. It means the tourist figures will rise to 20-30 million.

IIS – What are your opinions about achieving this target, about the present infrastructure, the airports and for example the 3rd and 4th airports for Istanbul?

TK – They are just instruments … Our government has already plans about this. I do not want to reveal anything before our Prime Minister. At the moment, Mr. Yıldırım is the architect of these, but during the election period he left his office, substituted by Mr Habib Soluk. I do not want to reveal anything before him. Of course I do not know the details. What I know is, whatever this process involves, this country will realize it. We, as an airline company, are playing our part, General Directorate of State Airports Authority will play their part. Istanbul will become a world center. This means centrality, it means becoming the most easily accessible city. These are just instruments. If we just pay with the 5 years of our large aircraft 777, we can build the largest airport, that simple. The financial funds we provided so far has exceeded 3 billion dollars. We provide as much. The expenses of the airport are just the fractions.

IIS – We have known you as the General Manager of Turkish Airlines, but you have an academic life and family life beyond that, can you dedicate time to them?

TK – In my family, our children are grown-ups now. One of my sons is doing his master’s and the other his PhD, my daughter is about to start her BA in the USA. They are in their world, and we have our little Meryem, who is 4. As she is 4 years old, what she needs is to talk to each other, go out together, which I do regularly. We do not have any problems in these terms. Thanks to my wife, Remziye, she has raised all our children. But this company has a lot to do in 2023. Academic life also continues in the background.

IIS – Mr Kotil, thank you so much for your time.

To further understand, let’s begin by explaining what exactly stress is. Throughout the years,

research has defined stress as: excessive physical and emotional strain a person experiences as a consequence to different factors. Research has provided us with an array of physical and mental symptoms; however, the most common symptoms will be mentioned here. It is important to note that stress symptoms vary by individual. Some of the most common physical symptoms are: fast heartbeats, headaches, loss of appetite, or over eating, excessive tiredness, skin problems, backaches, dizziness, and missed menstruation. Some of the emotional symptoms are: irritability, tension, inability to concentrate, anger, depression or apathy, and anxiety.

Many may ask what causes an individual to become stressed out. There is no one answer to this question. Many different factors, situations, and circumstances may cause a person to feel stress. Something as minute and normal like shopping can stress someone out. Just like something as important and serious like having issues with our health can stress us out. Every day we encounter different situations that cause stress to our lives. It is

quite inevitable for an individual to not feel stressed out. In the fast paced world we live in some of the most common reasons for stress are: job overload, family issues, lack of time, health issues, finances, juggling education, work, and family, and not to mention living in a foreign country. While these are common everyday reasons that cause stress, the list of factors is truly endless. We must keep in mind that each individual feels and experiences life in different ways; therefore, what may be a problem to someone may not be so for someone else. What we all do have in common though, is that no matter what, at some point in our lives stress has knocked our doors and become personal.

Stress in the cultural aspect may be recognized by different terms; however, the physical and mental symptoms all lead to the same definition of stress. Some cultures more openly accept the fact that stress does indeed exist and requires our attention and coping; however, there are other cultures that may be more reluctant to accepting the fact that stress is indeed detrimental. More so, treating it is seen as unimportant. Regardless of our culture, beliefs, and inclinations, treating stress is of utmost importance. Excessive stress can lead to more

Stress: The Modern Nuisance

by Yuzbeny Escobar Altunay yuzbeny.altunay@intersociety.net

Nowadays, stress has become the common denominator in people’s lives. With the ever changing times, stress has become a ‘normal’ feeling we experience. Indeed, feeling stressed out can sometimes have a positive effect in what and how we do things. For instance, a load of stress can actually motivate and excite us to accomplish our goals. However, the detrimental effects of stress out-weight the positive by far more.

May / June 2011 19

serious and persistent problems in our lives. As stated in the research, “Stress is an ailment which affects millions of people, and can lead to anxiety, depression, and other problems.”

Stress is treated differently by everyone. There is no one universal technique or treatment to alleviate stress that will work the same for everyone. The same way different factors cause stress to an individual, the same way different treatments can be effective to an individual. The most important part is to actually recognize the symptoms and accept the fact that one is experiencing stress. Furthermore, treating stress and alleviating and diminishing its’ symptoms should be our goal. Let’s keep in mind that ignoring these symptoms will not make your stress go away. On the contrary, ignoring the symptoms serves as the basis for more complicated problems to develop. Combating stress and eliminating its symptoms can be achieved through many different methods. The key is to find a method(s) that works best for you. Following, different methods will be discussed.

Medications

In the era we currently live in, human beings opt for a “quick fix.” Hence, treating stress through the use of prescribed drugs has been increasing

over the years. Medications to treat stress must be prescribed by a doctor. These medications’ intent is to relax the body and mind. While numerous findings have demonstrated their effectiveness, the use of prescribed drugs is recommended for a short period of time. Reason being, these medications can create habit and addiction while also producing side effects. It is recommended that before turning to the use of medications, other methods to treat stress be explored. Herbal remedies can also be used; however, some do cause side effects so it is important to speak to your doctor first.

Diet and Nutrition

As mentioned earlier, stress can either increase or decrease a person’s appetite, and/or cause stomach problems; hence, eating properly is important. Studies have found that eating a healthy, balanced diet can offset stress symptoms. “Increased and

regular consumption of fruit and vegetables provides the body with the best foundation upon which to combat this illness.” Whether overeating or eating too little, it is recommended to seek a nutritionist that can help you eat properly so your body will consume all the needed vitamins, minerals, proteins,

and so forth.

Exercising

Engaging in exercise is definitely and highly recommended. Not only will exercising help you alleviate stress symptoms, it is also beneficial for your overall health. It is advised to engage in exercise at least half an hour per day. Let’s understand that exercising does not necessarily mean you must join a gym, own workout equipment, or be involved in rigorous training. Something as simple as walking “releases endorphins which counteract stress hormones and help to reduce stress levels.” Also, engaging in any type of exercise helps refocus your mind; therefore, focus will be on combating stress and not on what is causing it. Research has demonstrated that exercising helps to reduce anxiety and depression. For those individuals who experience intense symptoms such as tension, anger, irritability, lack of concentration and so forth, engaging in a more high impact type of exercise is recommended as this serves as an outlet for these intense symptoms. Another positive aspect of exercising is that it makes you feel good. When you notice your body changing and becoming stronger, your self-esteem increases and you become motivated to fight whatever is causing your stress. Feeling physically strong can help you gather your inner strength in order to combat stress. When exercising forms part of your daily routine, you learn to accept this period of time as “workout time.” Hence, for the most part your focus will be on exercising and not on negative things.

May / June 2011 21

Stress Management

Stress management can be planned on your own or with the help of a therapist or counselor. Basically, the point here is to be fully aware of what is causing your stress. Without knowing the cause it becomes difficult to know what to treat. Most importantly, you must accept the fact that there is something going on in your life causing you stress, and that you are actually experiencing different symptoms. Accepting your problem and symptoms is necessary if treatment is desired. Let’s remember that living in denial and ignoring these symptoms will only make matters worse. Once you have acknowledged and accepted, then treatment should be defined. Explore what helps you alleviate these symptoms and abide by it. Make a plan or have clear what your method will be in order to combat stress. Writing out your stress management plan is helpful because you can actually track any progress or setbacks, and it helps you focus on the treatment not the problem.

Prayer/Spirituality

Last but not least, whatever your religious/spiritual beliefs are, turning to prayer and/or meditation is also a helpful way to combat stress. Believing in a higher force, which some of us call God can definitely prove effective in reducing stress symptoms. Having that inner faith and trust in God (or what/whomever you may believe in) can help you if you engage in devoted prayer or meditation. Through the act of

praying, meditation, or worshipping you engage in a faithful and devoted act trusting your source of belief to help you overcome these symptoms and problems.

It’s Not the Problem, It’s How We See the Problem

Our lives deserve respect, and respect begins with how we treat ourselves. Although often times difficult, we must try our best at helping ourselves feel good, positive, and calm even in times of despair. While this is easier said than done; nevertheless, it is not impossible. Remember, to be fully healthy means there must be a balance between our body, mind, and spirit. When one of these aspects is out of tune, the others are affected. We have allowed stress to rein our lives, harming not only ourselves, but affecting those around us. Let’s put a stop to this and learn how and what we can do to alleviate these symptoms even if there is no solution to our problems. While not all problems can be solved, knowing how to react is definitely important. Understand it is not what the problem is, but how you perceive and react to it.

The IIS Country Seminar of Kosovo was held last Thursday, April 7th at ATO’s

(Ankara Chamber of Commerce) Board Meeting Hall. Among the participants were members from ATO’s Commission of Foreign Affairs, which also had kindly provided the faculties in the Chamber for the presentation,

other businessmen from Ankara along with several IIS members. The seminar was honored by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Bekim Sejdiu, Kosova Ambassador to Ankara in Turkey.

The seminar idea had been considered first when His Excellency Mr. Sejdiu visited IIS’ office and had brunch with Mr. Gümüşdoğrayan, President of IIS and other several members of the society. In that meeting it was agreed upon that a mutual effort is necessary for favoring economical and cultural interactions, especially, beneficiary to the Turkish and Kosovar business sector from both parties.

From that day on, IIS put effort by presenting this subject’s importance to the chamber’s relevant commission. The commission chief Mr. Mustafa Altınay was interested in the project; therefore, helped IIS throughout the preparation. Most of his contribution was done with the publicity of the seminar program among the fellow businessmen from his chamber.

The chief commissioner Mr. Altınay welcomed all guests by underlining how glad they were to host such a meeting that His Excellency honored. The ambassador thanked in return for his kind remarks, and presented his speech on Kosovo and their unique relations with Turkey. Followed by Mr. Güner Ureya’s (Deputy Head of Mission) presentation about the economical and business relations, as well as potential and concurrent business opportunities that Turkish entrepreneurs would find interesting.

In his speech, Mr. Sejdiu especially pointed to the fact that appreciating Kosovo and her unique position for

KOSOVO COUNTRYSEMINAR

by Sefa Denizoğlusefa.denizoglu@intersociety.net

May / June 2011 23

Turkey would not be easy if one did not understand Kosovo’s chronicles throughout the independence course. Having told that NATO’s initiatives and Turkish government’s solid support was there for them, not only before 1999 but also throughout all those years until the declaration of independence in early 2008, he underscored that would not be forgotten neither by the Kosovo Republic nor the Kosovar people. “Even though Kosovo is -as of now- the youngest government on Earth, we will certainly try our best to get the most out of our very young population and dynamism just like Turkey has been doing very well so far. It’s now the time for Kosovo to look forward despite whatever bitter and unfortunate events we suffered” he added.

The epicenter of his speech was, “If I need to summarize the relations between the two countries, it would be ‘Excellent, intensive and multidimensional’”. “The reason I call it ‘Excellent’ is no wonder for anyone in this gathering I believe!” He continued referring to strong connections he had pointed out at the beginning of his speech. The

second word he used for describing the relations was “intensive” for the fact that “the word is barely able to depict the ‘heavy diplomatic traffic’ between” as per his own words.

A final qualifier of the relations was “multidimensional” by Mr. Sejdiu. “To elaborate what I mean, I need to say that these relations are very broad cultural and economical relations taking place at each and every other level of the societies, and that’s why Turkey is the foremost important country in state-to-state interactions Kosovo regards” he explained. He also stated that the common vision for the future of the region is shared by the two countries before concluding his speech by expressing, “Turkey recognizing Kosovo on a Sunday, something which one cannot see everyday in the diplomatic world, will certainly not be forgotten.”

Deputy Head of Mission of Kosova to Ankara Mr. Güner Ureya also presented the economical perspective of the relations between two countries with a bold emphasis on specific areas Turkish

businessmen are already interested in, and ongoing projects as well as other profitable areas Kosovo expects not only Turkish business people, but also other countries to invest in. He finally stressed that Turkish businessmen should not only look at the statistical and economical figures while considering investment opportunities in Kosovo, but also visit there for themselves and feel the positive environment at first hand.

Final speech of the meeting was given by Mr. Mustafa Al˝nay, the Chief Commissioner of Foreign Affairs of ATO (Ankara Chamber of Commerce). Having thanked IIS for this opportunity letting businessmen get the most accurate information directly from ministers of mission about a country of emerging possibilities of investment, “All those sort of nurturing environments, in which every kind of economical and cultural interactions are established and developed, are to be provided best by NGO’s like IIS in this case, and that’s why all of us here are thankful to them!” he concluded.

After a number of questions were replied both by HE Mr. Sejdiu and Mr. Ureya, the seminar ended with a small present given to His Excellency.

May / June 2011 25

East and West, after more than 2000 years of twirling around each other we are at a

conjunction point in history to observe a different kind of interaction. A lot of people tend to perceive human history as conflicts, rather than relations. In their point of view, relations between social groups and entities or even cultures are based on establishing superiority on another. This superiority may be cultural, military or economic, but it is the factor that all relations depend on.

In contrary, human history carries an incredibly rich background of relations and interactions. It is not the wars and conflicts what made human kind progress, but it is the multicultural environment with a constant and rich interaction between “different” people.

A New Beginning

After continuos tension for more than two millenniums between those two very close social entities, things seem to be settling down. Following the two great wars in the 20th century, mainly an internal total destruction inside the West, a unique experiment saw the sunlight. The West decided to solve problems peacefully and depending on some universal values such as respect for human rights, individual freedom and the right to be different, we saw the birth of a new entity called the European Union. The European Union has recently accomplished their 50th anniversary, and the internal adaptation between the 27 member states seem to be working, and quite a lot of progress has been achieved.

CHALLENGING “OTHERNESS” IN THE EU: THE FIELD TEST 1

by Melih Rüştü Çalıkoğlu

There have been scholars and scientists talking about the correlation between the social and natural processes like Abû Zayd “Abdu r-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Khaldûn Al-Hadrami (1332 - 1406 AD.) known as Ibn Khaldoun. He talks about the natural forces and the climates affecting the pattern of social life. He also points out to the resemblance between the life of an individual and state and alike social organizations.

European Union community programmes are dealing with the problem of integration throughout the member states, and trying to introduce new member societies to the community. Fighting against discrimination, racism and xenophobia are the main tools for a more coherent unity in the future. But the real test lies before us where a country, Turkey who is from another galaxy steps forward to join the community under those universal ideas stated by the community itself. After a long term of cooperation, other European countries and Turkey have come to new terms of cooperation. The enemy and foe or the “other” of our historical past has turned out to be a new partner in the new brave and competitive world.

It is also a test for the Turkish modernization process, which dates back to the end of the 18th century, right after the French Revolution. In this new kind of relation and interaction between the two sides, Turkey seems to be more advantaged than the other. They are the one who are more eager to communicate with the “Other” in equal terms and they are an incredibly dynamic society, managing to be conservative, but reformist at the same time. They are also the ones who have less prejudice against the other without carrying fixed images of the “others.”

The thing is that both entities, Europe and Turkey, need each other in terms of securing their own core ideologies which their existence depends on. If EU societies reject the Turkish society inside, it will be announced that the EU ideology is not universal and just restricted to one belief and one way of life, which will turn it into a xenophobic and close society. And if Turkey leaves the course to be a member of the Union, he will lose the motivation to make the proper reforms and turn into a global actor in the 21st century world.

Considering the immense historical relations between the two worlds, where both tended to define themselves mostly by defining what the other was, the main problem is not the conflicts or

wars between the two sides. The level of distance and fear against each other is being fed mostly by cultural issues such as, beliefs and ways of living. With collecting and reinterpreting the universal ideologies of the whole human culture, the EU is a pioneer in human history where different cultures and ways of living, voluntarily declares to live in a more coherent world based on respect to others and tolerance.

It is not a surprise to see such a social entrepreneurship is rising from a war torn continent, not only with the two world wars, but also with its violent history for struggle for power. The historical tension between the societies of Europe is the main cause that made such a project possible.

During a meeting at the Commission, a senior officer of one of the DGʼs made it clear that it was unable for most of the European countries to survive the competition of the 21st century because they were too small and weak, and they had to unite. Considering India and China, being 7 times bigger than whole Europe in population, these fears are reasonable and very real. So there is a greater outer tension which makes those countries stick together. Though Turkey has a lot more choices and possibilities and now the capability, it seems to be the most reasonable choice to be on the European side.

The question is if the global tension and the inner agents are at their suitable stage that will lead to the uniting of these two “Others” together. One

May / June 2011 27

might say that at the mid 20th century there was such a tension that caused North Atlantic countries and Turkey to unite under one entity. In reality that was the military, but predominantly political tension that caused countries to choose sides. But this time it is not just about politics, the rising countries are now challenging Europe in cultural, scientific and other social aspects.

“Otherness” more likely is a social definition and we are curious if this new kind of social threat will cause these two others to gather. The importance of the EU Community Programmes lies right here in challenging “otherness” in and around the EU. It opened new links based on equality between the people of two different “Europes.” Now it has to be asked if it is going to be enough to create a new way of understanding and tolerance causing the stereotypes to change, and a better understanding and steady peace between the others.

INTERVIEW

H.E. Mr. Thomas RUSSELLIrish Ambassador to Ankara

by A. Muhammet Kutlucamurat.fatsa@intersociety.net

May / June 2011 29

IIS - It’s been almost 2 years that you have been in Turkey, how would you describe Turkish people?

Mr. Russel- Well, in one word: wonderful. My experience is that Turkish people are hospitable, welcoming, very open to strangers and open to discussion. All of that makes for a very comfortable atmosphere to live in. It also makes work much easier, when you are dealing with people who are friendly and like to talk.

IIS - Do you have any favorite word(s) in Turkish?

Mr. Russel- “Evet”. It’s the best word for me. Also, I like the music of the language and I like the structure - the way you can construct words and express a very rich idea in a compact way.

IIS - What are similarities between Turkey and Ireland in cultural arts and daily life?

Mr. Russel- I think both Turkish and Irish to people like to talk a lot. We like conversation. When we celebrate, we like to sing and dance - we like music - and we both have very strong traditions of our own music. Sometimes we have Irish groups coming to Turkey to play traditional Irish music and they get on very well. On the theatre side we have had an evening of Samuel Beckett who seems to be well-known in Turkey and we will be having a James Joyce event in June. We will also have an exhibition of William Butler Yeats, the poet in May and early June. Some of our modern authors like Maeve Binchy are very popular in Turkey.

IIS - What are the most surprising experiences you have had in Turkey?

Mr. Russel- I think everyday has its surprises because everything brings its own unique experiences. I had only been in Turkey once – very briefly - before I came to Ankara. So, most things are new to me. And you have so many different regions in Turkey that every

time I travel I am surprised at what I see. I have just come back from Mardin and it was completely unlike any place else I had seen in Turkey. And I could say the same for any of the regions I have visited.

IIS - What characteristics of Turkish people do you like the most?

Mr. Russel- Well, certainly the friendliness. My experience is that Turkish people are very approachable. I never hesitate to ask if I needed something. I always feel that the Turkish person I approach will respond positively. It is very pleasant for a foreigner to live in such an environment.

IIS - What are the most important points in history that is shared by both countries?

Mr. Russel- If we go way back in history we are told that the Celtic people came through Turkey on their way west. They continued on to the western edges of Europe, including Ireland. And we still have our own Celtic language in Ireland from those times. Then, during our great famine in the 1840s, Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid sent aid to Ireland. The founder of the Turkish Republic, M. Kemal Atatürk, is well-known in Ireland. Our President, when she was here last year, told us that her father had a picture of Atatürk in their house, next to the pictures of Irish patriots. Other than that, both our republics have been founded around the same time, Ireland in 1922 and Turkey in 1923. We’ve always had contact, and in more recent times, it has been through trade and visits. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu and Minister Bağış were in Ireland last year. Around 115.000 Irish people come to Turkey every year, and we know from our visas that over 3,000 Turkish visitors go to Ireland annually. We have around a €400M trade volume from each side. If we add in invisibles, our total annual trade comes to over €1 billion.

IIS - What’s the image of Turkey in Ireland?

Mr. Russel- Very good. Irish people know of the

historical relations, especially about the famine aid. Also those 115.000 people who come to Turkey every year carry back with them positive messages about Turkey. And, o f course, Ireland supports Turkey’s EU accession

IIS - W hat are your key priorities in making Ireland better-known in Turkey?

Mr. Russel- Well I think our key priorities are

i. To insure our good relations get even better by improving our contacts all the time

ii. To organize events that give the Turkish people some understanding of Ireland

iii. To facilitate greater contact and interaction between our business people

iv. To encourage people to visit Ireland more and this year we are introducing a simplified visa procedure for Turkish students who want to go to Ireland to learn English for up to 3 months.

IIS - What can be done to increase investment and trade relations in Turkey?

Mr. Russel- We need more contact. If business people come to a country, they’ll find openings and so we are telling Irish business people that there are very good opportunities in Turkey. Turkey is a very fast-growing economy (8.9 % last year) and the forecast is very promising for the next years. And we would like Turkish business people to go to

May / June 2011 31

Ireland too. Even though Ireland has been through a difficult period over the last two years, centered mainly on the construction and banking sectors, the rest of our economy has been quite steady. We feel that we have put our house in order and are now emerging from those problems. Irish exports increased by 7% in 2010. Business contacts are facilitated by the fact that Turkish Airlines have a direct flight between Istanbul and Dublin every day. There are charter flights to the Turkish coastal resorts during the summer, and our own national airline, Aer Lingus, is starting flights to Izmir twice a week next month.

IIS - Are there any scholarships for Turkish students?

Mr. Russel- We did have a dedicated scholarship for Turkish students until this year. Now our Dept. of Education has decided to pool all such scholarships and applicants from all countries would apply to that pool. But in fact, this year, for the first time we will have 2 scholarships for English Language Teachers to go to Ireland for around 3 weeks.

IIS - What subjects would you suggest Turkish students to study in Ireland, what are the better subjects to study in Ireland?

Mr. Russel- Well, many Irish universities are very old - Trinity College for instance is around 400 years old - and in that time they have developed an expertise in many subjects. Trinity has been a long time among the top 100 universities in the world, and University College Dublin has just come into that category now. As well as our 7 universities - and I went to University College Cork, where I studied Mathematics and Philosophy - we also have 13 Institutes of Technology that tend to cover subjects more directly related to modern aspects of life.

IIS - And we know that biotechnology is a major focus point of Ireland lately..

Mr. Russel- Yes, indeed. We have put a lot of money and effort into our education system. The technology firms found that we had the skilled, educated population available to work for them so most of the big companies – not only biotechnology – are in Ireland: Intel, HP, Xerox for example, as well as Google and Facebook.

IIS - What do you think about Turkey’s EU accession process?

Mr. Russel- I think you have to step back a little bit form the hurly burly of daily negotiations and look at the overall process. We need to see Turkey’s relationship with EU in terms of the fact that all EU countries agreed unanimously to open accession negotiations with Turkey. You do not open negotiations without having the end in sight. There is a Latin phrase pacta sunt servanda, meaning agreements have to be obeyed. So if you make an agreement you work according to it. That agreement of all EU member states is the basis for our negotiations with Turkey. Some countries may make individual statements about particular aspects from time to time. That is their prerogative. But it doesn’t change the basic fact of the agreed basis for the accession negotiations which are continuing apace.

IIS- Turkish PM Mr. Erdoğan has addressed to PACE. He criticized EU, especially France as its attitude to secularism then he has received questions about the issue. What do you think about his speech, questions which he has received and reactions to answers?

Mr. Russel- I think your Prime Minister gave his views in a very clear and direct way as he usually does. And I think he got back some clear and direct views. Somewhere in there, I hope we manage to carry the dialogue forward.

IIS - Will it create any gap between EU and Turkey?

Mr. Russel- We might take the answer in reverse maybe. I mean Turkey clearly is geographically situated in a very strategic position between East and West, between Nord and South so, if only for

this reason alone, it will always have a relationship with Europe and the EU. As your Foreign Minister is fond of saying Turkey wants zero problems with its neighbors and wants to play a constructive regional role. Europe is one of those neighbours. We have common interests and much common history and these factors will always bind us. Of course, as friends we may speak frankly to each other from time to time, but this is quite normal.

IIS - Since you had been in many countries of gulf region, you know the region very well. Unfortunately we all chase the recent developments in those countries. What is the reason of unrest in Gulf States and what do you think about Turkey’s role in its own region in terms of recent developments in the Middle East especially?

Mr. Russel- I am not sure I am an expert in the exact

May / June 2011 33

reasons in each country but, of course, in today’s world, our communications are so immediate and so comprehensive, with the internet, with mobile phones, with satellite television, that people see and hear many things. Perhaps the populations in these countries now see the world and their place in it differently and want those changes reflected in their system of government. Turkey is close to these countries and has an interest in seeing that such developments take place peacefully. The Turkish Government has not only made clear that it is willing to help resolve these conflicts but it has been active in a very constructive way, politically and on the humanitarian front.

IIS - As a last question; if you had a chance to change something in the world, what would that be? And why?

Mr. Russel- You should give me notice about

questions like that! My background and upbringing would lead me to say “a fairer distribution of wealth” and not just material wealth but wealth of education, wealth of development, wealth of knowledge, the wealth of our common human heritage. If we could bring that about, then perhaps we would have a more just world and I would certainly be very glad to see something like that happen. Surely we all want a fairer society everywhere.

IIS - Thank you very much Mr. Russell.

Mr. Russel- It is a pleasure. Thank you for choosing me for your magazine.

Southeastern Anatolia is a region which is mysterious to people who do not know it. With

its historical buildings and artifacts, it carries the legends of many millennia to our age. The lifestyles, garments, cuisines and talks of its people are talked about by everyone like a magic spell. Gaziantep serves as the gate of this region from the west side.

If this is your first visit to Gaziantep, the first emotion you will feel will be a “shock.” On the contrary to your expectations of seeing flat roofed cottages, muddy streets, and people speaking with an accent as shown in television series, you will realize when you overcome the shock that you have just come to one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Gaziantep, which is the meeting point of southeastern and western Anatolia, is considered a southeastern city by the westerners and as a western city

by the southeasterners. It is a western city since it is west of the Euphrates, and it is southeastern since it is geographically within the borders of the Southeastern Anatolia region. Though the city is closer to the southeast culturally, it is more similar to the west in terms of urbanization, industrialization and the level of development. It is the first port of refuge for the ones who escape from the poverty of the southeast and the main gate for the ones who are researching the mystery of the southeast. When Gaziantep is mentioned, maybe the first things that come to mind are baklava, kebab and pistachio. But you also will realize the rich historical and cultural values when you sightsee the city.

While entering the city, it is almost impossible to see

by Hasan Mahir

Gaziantep - A City of Culture

May / June 2011 35

any trees other than pistachio, olive trees, and grapevines. While walking in the streets, you will see a dessert shop and a kebab shop at every step.

The pistachios and desserts of the region have a unique taste, just as its kebabs and other dishes. In the Gaziantep culture, the dishes are in general served in the form of “wraps.” Most foods are eaten “wrapped” in pita breads. This is somewhat difficult to understand for strangers. Anything can be put between these pita wraps: beef, poultry, liver, spleen, neck meat, chickpeas, fried food, etc. It is impossible not to admire the cuisine and taste of Gaziantep.

Many kinds of food are cooked in the kitchens of the old houses made of

stone splits. In festival days, ‘yuvarlama’ is cooked

for breakfast and

‘kabaklama’, ‘doğrama’ and ‘firik pilaf’ for wedding ceremonies. Aside from these common celebration dishes, you can find everyday dishes such as: hot beans, stuffed peppers, eggplants and squashes, ‘erik aşı’, ‘çağla aşı’, ‘anakızlı köfte’, sour small meatballs, ‘akıtmalı köfte’, ‘maltıhalı köfte’ and ‘şiveydiz’.

Each dish has its unique story and a special way for eating it. For instance, if someone wants to marry a girl, he will go with his parents to ask the girl’s parents for permission; the answer does not come in the form of a verbal ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If they serve meat with potato and yoghurt during the meal, which is known with the name ‘wedding meat with yoghurt’, then they know that the answer is “yes,” but if the meal served is other than this dish then they know that the answer is a polite “no.”

While mentioning Gaziantep, it would be impossible to allocate a separate paragraph for baklava. If you are a gourmand, I do not recommend you to eat baklava when you visit Gaziantep. You can ask “Why?” The reason is that if you eat baklava in

Gaziantep, then you won’t consider what you eat later in other places as baklava. With its special pistachios, butter and unique way of baking, the Gaziantep baklava can be found nowhere else in the world.

Another interesting custom of the region is that always an extra spoon is placed on the table in the villages and old districts of the city. This extra spoon is for unexpected guests who are considered to increase the prolificacy of the dinner table. If you happen to visit Gaziantep, know that there is an extra spoon in the dinner tables of the city for you as well.

THE DISHES YOU SHOULD EAT IN GAZIANTEP Dövme çorba (a local soup)Yuvarlama Kebab with Eggplants CağırtlakBeyran Chickpea wrapped in pita breadChee Kufta without meatKatmer (Crisp Flaky Pastry)Baklava

As for the city itself, we can say that the city has developed in an orderly way. The beautiful parks lying along the Alleben Stream passing through the middle of the city are very suitable for taking a walk. The city zoo, which is one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of animals it has,

will be very interesting for visitors. The zoo, which is situated in the Burç Forest, gives the clues, both in terms of its design and landscape planning, of an environmentally friendly and animal loving city.

In fact, Gaziantep is a city famous with its historical buildings and artifacts as well. If you happen to pass the old districts of the city you can discover the stone houses of Gaziantep in the labyrinth-like narrow streets there. You can also see the historical mosques, the minarets of which ascend to the sky among the stone houses. The minarets of Gaziantep, which have been built in harmony with the architecture of the mosques, are also very interesting. Boyacı Mosque, Eyüboğlu Mosque, Sheik Fethullah Mosque and Kurtuluş Mosque are among the ones that are the most worth seeing. The Turkish baths serving for centuries among the stone buildings of narrow by-streets are also spectacular sights.

Though who built the castle, which you can see from most of the city, is unknown, it is estimated that it was built as a sentry tower in the Roman period and eventually expanded. It took its present form during the reign of the Byzantium Emperor Justinian (6th century A.D.). Though works have been carried out to make the castle a tourist attraction by means of the landscape architecture around it, seeing the inside of it is not allowed. The Panorama Museum where the artifacts from the independence war of Gaziantep during World War I are exhibited will both

May / June 2011 37

fascinate you as well as take you to the past with waves of blues.

One of the most remarkable features of Gaziantep is its historical inns and covered bazaars. Though most of them have been abandoned to their fate today,

some still remain standing and in a usable form. Even if you have no intention to visit them, the Anadolu Mall, Güven Mall, Tuz Mall, Millet Mall, Belediye Mall and the Zincirli and Kendirli Covered Bazaars will attract your attention. These malls, which have been influential in the Turkish economy in the past for serving as the selling place for imported products, are still frequented today. In the past, smuggled products used to be introduced into the domestic market through these then popular malls. However, today these malls present legally imported electronic items, clothes, glassware and local handicrafts. The handicrafts of the Gaziantep region are also in great demand. The traditional arts of coppersmithery, weaving, manufacture of cotton kerchiefs, manufacture of gabardine, marquetry, silversmithery and manufacture of clarion survive in the hands of artisans.

With recently founded museums, the city has turned into a city of museums. The Museum of War, the Archaeology Museum, Beyazhan City Museum, the Panorama Museum and the Medusa Glass Museum fascinate travelers. In downtown you can see the historical buildings that have been restored as ‘the road of culture’ and the shopping arcades.

When you leave downtown to visit the suburbs and counties, you come face to face with the mystery of the history. By discovering the historical buildings you cannot see in another place on earth, you catch the chance to touch the spirit of many centuries

ago. Visiting the Ancient Dolichenos city situated 12 km North of Gaziantep, you can see one of the first settlements in Anatolia. It is possible there to see works of the Hittite, Assyrian, Persian, Seleucid, Roman, Armenian and Muslim Turkish civilizations. You can also get an idea about the lifestyles and religious beliefs of the past by visiting the rock graves there. If you have an interest in the art of sculpture, you can see the first outdoors sculpture workshop in the Yesemek village of the county of Islahiye. The stone blocks mined here towards the end of 2000 BC used to be processed into statues. You can see some unfinished sculptures there as well.

The county of Yavuzeli has Rumkale (lit. Roman Castle). This castle built on steep rocks is especially important for those who are interested in the history of religions, especially of Christianity. Estimated to have been built on 840 BC during the Hittite era, the castle was used by St. John the Evangelist in Roman times in his efforts to spread Christianity in the Gaziantep region.

The Euphrates has given life and hope to everywhere it passes wriggling through. Thus, countless civilizations were founded near this river. One of the most remarkable of them is the ancient city of Zeugma in the Belkis village of the county of Nizip. A great number of historical artifacts have been unearthed in Zeugma. Especially the mosaics unearthed in this site are deemed invaluable. However, now Zeugma is face to face with the risk of being submerged under the waters of the dam being built on the Euphrates.

With its culture, history and arts, Gaziantep is one of the most remarkable places in Southeast Anatolia for visitors. The city, which was the meeting point of civilizations in the past, is one of the meeting points of the Western and Eastern cultures today. Thus, it is a place to visit for those who would like to see the synthesis of these two cultures.

National protests in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Mid-East heavily relied on the Internet,

social media and technologies like Twitter, TwitPic, Facebook and YouTube in the early stages to accelerate the social protest. There is less evidence that social media played as strong a role in places like Yemen (where Internet penetration is low or Libya where the government cracked down on the Internet more effectively). In Egypt, the government unsuccessfully attempted to squelch new organizing technologies by largely shutting down the Internet and cellphones, but the dissension genie was already out of the bottle, and the revolution successfully ousted Mubarak; moreover, the shutting down of the Internet was obviously done so at great cost to their economy. (Three are some allegations that the CIA was blindsinded about the Egypt uprising since it failed to follow developments on Twitter.) But the social media works hand-in-hand with the ability to actually mobilize citizens — mere befriending of a movement on Facebook or Twitter is never enough — the challenge is to put boots on the street, as protesters in Tunisia or Egypt know only too well. We should be wary of assuming the counterfactual that these revolutions would not have occurred without social media as lots of revolutions have occurred in recent times without technologically connected residents and uprisings are occurring in places like Yemen with low rates of Internet penetration.

Other Middle-Eastern nations fear the shadow of Tunisia and Egypt and fear that youth uprisings spurred by social networking mobilization or more traditional mobilization are taking hold. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced efforts to try to get ahead of a possible revolution there. Jordan has pre-emptively tried to avoid the Tunisian or Egyptian result. The Yemeni leader agreed not to run again or hand the reins to his son. (There is an animated map of protests in the Middle East as they spread from country to country, updated with the most recent events and showing the spread of the Tunisian uprising through April 11 to elsewhere in the middle East to include at least 19 other countries, with two other countries, namely Egypt and the Ivory Coast, having overthrown their leaders and 5 others, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Syria, at a tipping point.) 1

As Thomas Friedman points out in the NY Times, starting the revolution may be the easier part. “In the Arab world, almost all these countries are Yugoslavia-like assemblages of ethnic, religious and tribal groups put together by colonial powers — except Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, which have big homogeneous majorities. So when you take the lid off these countries, you potentially unleash not civil society but civil war.

That is why, for now, the relatively peaceful Arab

by İsmet Togayismet.togay@intersociety.net

Role of Social Mediain Middle East uprisings

May / June 2011 39

democracy revolutions are probably over. They have happened in the two countries where they were most able to happen because the whole society in Tunisia and Egypt could pull together as a family and oust the evil ‘dad’ — the dictator. From here forward, we have to hope for ‘Arab evolutions’ or we’re going to get Arab civil wars.”

What follows are discussions of the role of social media in the early stages of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions and some other comments about more recent revolutions in Libya, Yemen or elsewhere…

“By cutting off Egypt’s Internet and wireless

service late last week [third week of January] in the face of huge street protests, President Hosni Mubarak betrayed his own fear — that Facebook, Twitter, laptops and smartphones could empower his opponents, expose his weakness to the world and topple his regime. There was reason for Mr. Mubarak to be shaken. By many accounts, the new arsenal of social networking helped accelerate Tunisia’s revolution, driving the country’s ruler of 23 years, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, into ignominious exile and igniting a conflagration that has spread across the Arab world at breathtaking speed. It was an apt symbol that a dissident blogger with thousands of followers on Twitter, Slim Amamou, was catapulted

in a matter of days from the interrogation chambers of Mr. Ben Ali’s regime to a new government post as minister for youth and sports. It was a marker of the uncertainty in Tunis that he had stepped down from the government by Thursday.” 2

The underlying source of the uprising in Tunisia lay in government corruption, inequality, censorship and joblessness (even among the well educated youth). The protests began in December with a college-educated street vendor’s (Mohamed Bouazizi’s) self immolation in the town of Sidi Bouzid in despair at the frustration and joblessness. He died from the burns. But the protest has been fanned rapidly by online Internet tools, despite Tunisia’s strict web censorship laws.

“Because the protests came together largely through informal online networks, their success has also raised questions about whether a new opposition movement has formed that could challenge whatever new government takes shape.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, a close ally from the president’s hometown, announced on state television that he was taking power as interim president. But that step violated the Tunisian Constitution, which provides for a succession by the head of Parliament, something that Mr. Ghannouchi tried to gloss over by describing Mr. Ben Ali as “temporarily” unable to serve.

Yet by late Friday night [1/7/11], Tunisian Facebook pages previously emblazoned with the revolt’s slogan, “Ben Ali, Out,” had made way for the name of the interim president. “Ghannouchi Out,” they declared….And the protesters relied heavily on social media Web sites like Facebook and Twitter to circulate videos of each demonstration and issue calls for the next one.”3

“Social media is primed to play a role in Egypt as well. More than 90,000 people signed up on a Facebook page for the Tuesday

protests, framed by the organizers as a stand against torture, poverty, corruption and unemployment. But the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most powerful opposition movement, said it would not officially participate, though some of its members

May / June 2011 41

joined the protesters in Cairo. Massive street protests in Egypt are spreading virally

as tech-savvy demonstrators are using Twitpic, Facebook

and YouTube to d i s s e m i n a t e

videos and

photographs.” 4

“Like the Tunisian protests, the calls to rally in Egypt went

out on Facebook and Twitter, with 90,000 people voicing their support. Throughout the day organizers used Twitter to give minute-by-minute instructions about where to gather in an attempt

to outmaneuver the police, until the government blocked it in the late afternoon.” 5

By Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, the government, amidst extremely large-scale demonstrations had moved to fully restrict the Internet and cellular forms of mobilizing demonstrators. “Internet and cellphone connections had been disrupted or restricted in Cairo, Alexandria and other places, cutting off social-media Web sites that had been used to organize protests and complicating efforts by news media to report on events on the ground. Some reports said journalists had been singled out by police who used batons to beat and charge protesters. One cell phone operator, Vodafone, said on Friday that Egypt had told all

mobile operators to suspend services in selected areas of the country. The British company said it would comply with the order, Reuters reported.” 6

References1. http://www.slate.com/id/21288928/#add-comment2. NY Times, “Spotlight Again Falls on Web Tools and Change”, 1/29/113. NY Times, “President of Tunisia Flees”, 1/14/114. NY Times, “Broad Protests Across Egypt Focus Fury on

Mubarak“, 1/25/115. Press Herald, “Tunisia uprising inspires Egyptian protests”,

1/26/116. New York Times, “Clashes in Cairo Extend Arab World’s Days

of Unrest”, 1/28/2011

Iraq is one of the most attractive markets for the fast growing Turkish economy. Iraqi oil reaches to

global markets via Turkey and Turkey sells electricity to Iraq Turkish firms provide 80% of the food and textiles of the Kurdish region. Turkish construction companies are the second largest group in Iraq after their Chinese competitors. The overall volume of contracts they have undertaken in 2010 is USD 11 bln. which makes Iraq the third largest market for Turkish contractors. Having doubled in the last four years, the current trade volume is USD 7.5 bln. However the leaders have already set their new target as USD 20 bln. by the year 2020.

Probably one of the most striking scenes during the Turkish PM’s visit to Iraq was a few minutes blurry video showing the Turkish delegation singing their well known “Yemen Song” together with their Kurdish hosts. Here comes the story: Turkish State

Minister Zafer Çağlayan gives a mini piano concert to those waiting for the two leaders’ one to one meeting to end. Nechirvan Barzani, former prime minister of the de facto autonomous Kurdish Region and Mesut Barzani’s nephew, takes this occasion as an opportunity to inform his Turkish guests about his uncle’s love for Turkish folk songs, especially the “Yemen Song”. Guess what?! Dr. İbrahim Kalın, Erdoğan’s chief foreign policy advisor says he can play the “bağlama,” a three double stringed Turkic folk music instrument. It is not too long before one is brought to Arbil’s state guest house built by Turkish contractors and there you have the high level bilateral chorus!

The Yemen Song is an anonymous piece like many others and tells the sad story of Turkish soldiers who

Erdoğan’s Iraq Visit:

Old Song, New Era

by Emre Göksu emre.goksu@intersociety.net

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was in Iraq with a large delegation of ministers, bureaucrats and businessmen. With its timing during a historic turmoil in all over the Middle East and unprecedentedly colorful itinerary, his visit definitely deserved the huge coverage it received. Even a slideshow of pictures with no comments would be enough to convince us about the uniqueness of the occasion.

May / June 2011 43

were taken to Yemen front during World War I and were never able to come back home. Its meaning for Chairman Barzani is almost as symbolic. He told Mr. Erdoğan that he heard it for the first time from a young Kurdish fighter from Turkey years ago while they were fighting against the Baathist regime and hiding in the mountains. This young man died in one of the clashes and the old tune remained in Mr. Barzani’s ears. Leaving aside what it means for individuals, the almost century old song heard like the inauguration tune of a new era in Turkish foreign policy towards Iraq.

This picture of folk song diplomacy was not imaginable until five years ago. Traditionally, Turkish foreign policy makers’ attitude towards Northern Iraq’s Kurdish authority and its leaders has been dominated by denial and suspicion on grounds that they had been indifferent towards PKK presence in the region, letting them stage attacks easily on Turkish land from this safe haven. Turkish top brass tried to balance this with a pro-Turkmen policy that excluded all other actors. Erdoğan’s remarks during an interview points out very clearly that it has not been easy to sing with Barzani: “During the first two years of our rule, Turkey’s policy was centered on Turkmens in Iraq. We showed great patience to transform our Turkmen-based policy into one that takes into consideration all of Iraq. We took gradual steps at bureaucrat, special envoy and ministerial level. Finally I went to Arbil when we agreed that it was time for that.”

As the first Turkish PM in the Kurdish region, Erdoğan was welcomed by crowds of locals waving Turkish, Iraqi and regional Kurdish authority’s flags. Erdoğan opened the Arbil International Airport which was built by Turkish companies, the Turkish Consulate in Arbil, and branches of two Turkish banks in the same city. He also heralded direct Turkish Airlines flights to Arbil to begin on April 14th. The appointment of a Turkmen leader, Hasan Turan, as the speaker of Kirkuk’s city council shortly before Erdoğan’s arrival

has since been referred to as a “gesture” by the Kurdish Regional Authority. Although this post had already been designated for Turkmens, the timing of the appointment can be read as a sign of goodwill.

With Turkey’s general elections in June ahead, Erdoğan’s visit may be expected to have important repercussions in Turkey’s domestic political agenda as well. The friendly atmosphere in Arbil can be considered as a boost for the uphill battle of his government’s Kurdish opening in Turkey. In the absence of any support whatsoever for the opening from pro-Kurdish politicians in his own country, extending the opening to Arbil is not surprising. By such a maneuver, Erdoğan may well contain the resistance of some pro-Kurdish hardliners at home and secure the progress of the opening. No matter

the level of progress in other areas, Turkey’s security priorities will continue to be the barometer of this rapprochement and a litmus test of its success as long as the PKK presence in Northern Iraq continues.

No love like mom, no land like Baghdad

Yes, indeed this is how the Turkish saying goes. A brief look at the city’s history reveals that there is not too much exaggeration. Baghdad is a Persian word that means “God’s Grace” or “God’s Gift.” It was found in the 8th century by Abbasids and enjoyed a golden era in the 10th century during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph Haroon al Rashid. Located in the geographical center of the vast Muslim lands that stretched from Andalusia to the Great Chinese Wall, the city became home to the most sophisticated works of oriental arts, largest libraries and the highest scholarship during that period. Also known as the “City of Peace,” Baghdad’s population had reached one million making it second only to Constantinople during the same era. Early 9th century resources report that the city had one thousand doctors, banks that had branches in China,

perfect water and sewage networks and a paper mill. To name a few, Baghdad is the birthplace of algebra, the decimal system and the mathematical concept of “zero”.

A long and meticulously managed preparation process seems to lie in the background of this groundbreaking visit. Erdoğan’s previous visit to Baghdad in November 2009 had resulted in 48 memoranda of understanding that covered a vast spectrum of political and economic cooperation including security, energy, health, transportation and agriculture. One year later Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu was in Arbil signaling Turkey’s shifting away from its highly securitized and suspicious “Red Line” policies towards the Northern Iraqi Kurdish leadership. Mr. Davutoğlu’s visit to Iraq earlier this year should also be considered as a prelude to Erdoğan’s. This last visit built on this foundation and carried the process further as the two premiers signed a high level strategic cooperation agreement and also agreed on co-chairing joint cabinet meeting that will convene periodically.

Erdoğan met with the speaker of the Iraqi Parliament and leaders of political parties represented. Turkish President Abdullah Gül being the first dignitary to stay overnight in Baghdad, Erdoğan became the first foreign premier to address the radically diverse 325-seat Iraqi legislative, 82 of them women. His televised and carefully worded speech centered on a message of unity. Erdoğan made references to Quran’s verses on brotherhood and also reminded his audience about all ethnic and denominational groups’ acting in unity during their anti-colonial struggles about a century ago.

A Soft Containment of the Crescent

The visit was full of messages and “firsts” in a multitude of dimensions. Baghdad is home to tombs of many leading Muslim figures, Sunni and Shiite. Erdoğan visited the tomb of Imam Azam,

May / June 2011 45

undoubtedly the most important scholar of the Sunni jurisprudence, and Musa Kazım one of the 12 Shiite imams on the same day, a symbolic move highlighting Turkey’s opposition towards sectarian politics in this highly explosive part of the world. This message was communicated even more strongly in the country’s Shiite center Najaf. Erdoğan was the first Sunni leader to visit the tomb of Caliph Ali, the Prophet’s cousin, son in law, fourth successor and the central figure in Shiite belief. There he also met Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest Shiite cleric in Iraq. During the one-hour meeting the two leaders discussed recent denominational unrest in Bahrain and Yemen and weighed potential ways of solution.

According to Dr. Serhat Erkmen from ORSAM, it was previously Iraq’s strength that posed a threat in the region whereas now it is Iraq’s weakness and vulnerability that is considered to be dangerous. Dr. Alon Ben Meir of NYU argues that no other country has benefited from Iraq’s invasion as did Iran. The planned American withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011 has led to many concerns within the US and its Arab allies about the growth of Shiite Crescent around the Gulf. A chain of violent uprises by Shiite populations in Sunni ruled oil states is literally the worst case scenario for all those actors. Given its large Shiite population and geographical location, Iraq is the demographic and strategic center of gravity of this Crescent. Though, Iraq Shi’isme demonstrates certain differences from the ruling Iranian school. Especially its doctrinal distance to politics makes Iraq the soft belly of the Crescent at the same time. Moreover, this approach is shared by the Shiite minority of Turkey thus makes it easier for the Turkish leadership to communicate with Iraqi Shiite counterparts. Erdoğan’s attendance to Shiite Ashura Day commemorations in December 2010 had been first in the history of Turkish Republic and was congratulated by Sistani and Al-Sadr. Furthermore, his clear opposition to Saudi military intervention against the Shiite of Bahrain undoubtedly reinforced Turkey’s image as a Sunni but objective actor among

Shiite masses regionwide. This natural access of Turkey into Iraqi politics, its established role in Western alliances and finally its well working economic relations with Iran make Turkey the sole player that can peacefully counterbalance the growing Persian influence. This potential also explains the silence of US, Saudi Arabia and Iran with regard to Turkey’s aspired role in Iraq. However, it is important to remind ourselves at this point that such consent implies expectations. Turkish policy makers will have to maintain a fine line in numerous areas of potential disagreement about the future of Iraq.

To conclude, this visit has been a milestone in Turkey’s effort to transform the Middle East from a black and white paradigm of divided security zones into a holistic paradigm of shared problems and shared interests.

*In following questions, IIS-TA refers to International Interaction Society Turkish Airlines International Football League

1. Who was your favorite player when you first became interested in football? Who is your

current favorite player, if any?

* My favourite player when I was younger was Steve Coppell. He was fast and full of skills, just like me (!). My favourite player of all time is Eric Cantona. He changed my club. I do not have a favourite player just

by Erdem Göndiken erdem.gondiken@intersociety.net

Steve BennettCaptain of UK/IRE Team of IIS-TA Football League, Diplomat in the British Embassy

May / June 2011 47

now, no-one comes close to King Eric.

2. Which team do you support? How do you see their performance this year?

* I have supported Manchester United since I was a little boy. This was hard when I was growing up because my Father and all of my family supported Manchester City. This year we are doing very well and if we win, the league will have the most league wins of any club in England.

3. Did/Do you ever go to games?

* I went to a lot of games when I was younger. When I was old enough I would go in the Stretford End. When United scored the movement of the

crowd would lift you off your feet and carry you to a different place from when you first started. Very dangerous but very exciting at the same time. I left Manchester when I was eighteen so going to games was a lot harder. My brother has a season ticket so when I go to Manchester he lets me go to the games. My Nephew plays for Manchester United and

Manchester City under 8s. I am hoping he becomes a professional player so I can get tickets and go to Old Trafford and see him play.

4. Can you name any Turkish professional football player? How do you know about him?

* I know of many Turkish players, especially those that I have seen playing in the

English Premiership. Most recently we have seen Tuncay. I was sad that he left the Premiership to go to Wolfsburg because I thought he was a great player who represented Turkish footballers very well.

5. Have you been playing football regularly before IIS-TA Tournament?

* I have been playing football regularly since I was a small boy. You would think I would have improved by now with all that practice. In Ankara I also play on Monday nights with many of the players who play for different teams in the IIS-TA Tournament.

6. How do you feel when you’re in the football pitch? What makes you feel that way?

May / June 2011 49

* I love being part of a team and facing a challenge together. Each person has part to play but it is only as a team you will achieve success. Our team is made up of good individual parts and that is what makes us strong and gives me a feeling of determination to maintain our success.

8. When/How did you hear about the IIS-TA Football League?

* I was told about it when I came to Ankara in August 2008. Those early games were hard on the small pitch at Yildiz. There was not the same friendship and fairness that we have now with the referees and proper rules.

9. Have you made any new friends through IIS-TA? Do you see them outside the pitch?

* I have made many new friends through the IIS

football. Part of my job is to attend regular receptions of diplomats in Ankara. I always talk to the people I know through football about how the matches are going and the strengths of rival teams. Sometimes remember to talk to work contacts but the football friends are always number one priority. Many of the players in the IIS league socialize at the British Embassy Red Lion Club which is another opportunity to discuss the games and spend time together.

10. Can you assess the strong an weak points of your team this year? Who is the best player in your team you think? In what aspect?

* I do not like identifying one particular player because it is the contribution of everyone that makes the team. Suffice it to say we have a strong goalkeeper and then skillful players in defence, midfield and in attack. We also have dependable no-nonsense players who support the skillful players

and keep the team bonded together.

11. Which game was the most challenging for your team in the first half? Why?

* Our first game against the Nordics has to be the most challenging. We were 2-0 down after 5 minutes and looked like we were going to be beaten by many more goals. The team and our coach Wayne realized this and so we changed our shape and attitude. When we won 5-2 we felt very proud that we had pulled together to turn the game around.

12. What do you think the record will be at the end of the season? How far your team can go?

* As three times champions people expect us to be there at the end. I think every team has improved and so this will be a lot harder. As long as we are smiling and feel we gave a good account of ourselves I will be happy. It is just for fun after all.

13. Would you advice an expat to participate in the IIS-TA Football League?

* I have given lots of people advice to join the league and many of them are playing now. I also tell all my visitors about the league as an example of the community spirit that there is here in Ankara.

Thank you very much for answering these questions!

May / June 2011 51

My name is Wolfgang AMMERER. I’m from Austria and have been living in Ankara for almost five years now. I remember when I came to Ankara in July 2006, my family was still back in Belgium at that time. I immediately started to explore this marvellous city. Besides the task I got from my wife to sort out where the shops, markets, and so on are located, I was definitely interested to find some places where I could play football with my sons - who where fourteen and thirteen years old – or to find clubs where they could carry out their favourite sport.

Unfortunately, there were no such football pitches I was used to playing in when I was a youth, or what we had in Belgium. I realized there were only small cages-fields with artificial surfaces. Knowing

that Turkey is a well known “Football Nation” and people are enthusiastic in this sport, I was a little bit shocked at the beginning.

However, we joined the football club “FC Stiefel” from the German Embassy, where we practiced once

Football has always been a part of our life in ANKARA

by Wolfgang AmmererMilitary Attaché

a week and played some friendship games. Our club organized every year a huge tournament where teams from different embassies took part.

Every second weekend I was with my boys on the way to the “19 Mayıs Stadium” in Ankara, to watch the games of the Ankara football team “Genclerbirligi” because we became supporters of this team. I remember when we watched our first match - it was against “Fenerbahce” - the atmosphere at the stadium was brilliant; everybody was chanting and supporting their team. But what I did not understand – and still do not do – was the fact that there where five times more supporters from the opponent team than of our “home team.” I’ve realized there are so many people living in Ankara who support one of Istanbul’s teams instead of one of the teams from Ankara. A fact it would not happen in my country. For instance, nobody from Vienna would support the team from Salzburg or Graz.

In 2007 the football club of the Military Attachés

Corps in Ankara called “AMAC” was founded and my elder son and I became a member of this club. From the beginning on, not only military personnel played in this club. Also, some ambassadors and other high ranking personnel from different embassies of Ankara joined our club. Saturday morning was and still is a fixed point on my agenda because we have practice, and I’m always looking forward to the next Saturday.

AMAC team joined in 2009 for the first time the IIS International Football League, which is organized by the International Interaction Society and a well known sports event in Ankara for foreign football players. In our first year we became 3rd, the following year 5th and in the current season we have tried to be in the top best five teams of the league.

Personally, for me it is not important which place we gain, important is the friendship and fun I always feel when the whistle is blowing for “kick off” every Wednesday evening at the Genclerbirligi sport

May / June 2011 53

facilities. I will take this opportunity to congratulate the IIS team for organizing such an event in a very professional way. Everything is well organized, referees, jerseys, schedule and many things more. The highlight of this season will be on 8th of May, when the award ceremony will take place.

Unfortunately, it is my last season because I’m leaving Ankara this summer and going back to Austria. But we will never forget our time on the football pitches, when we shared our common sport with so many people from different countries and cultures. I wish all of you a nice time in Ankara, no injuries and lots of fun at the football pitch!

The second half of the IIS International Football League, which is organized by the International Interaction Society traditionally every year started on March 2. This year 262 players from 44 different countries participated in the league whose main sponsorship is Turkish Airlines. The matches are played every Wednesday in Genclerbirligi Football

Club’s training facilities named The Bestepe İlhan Cavcav Facilities. In the second half of the season, very exciting and competitive games have been played so far. In this issue, it is worth to remember some of these spectacular games. Following, you will find decisive moments from the matches.

The opening match of the second half of the IIS-Turkish Airlines football league was between USA and Italy. After a long wait we saw lots of goals and that night both teams began the match with a high level of motivation. Erich Fusch, Captain of the USA team said that he had made use of the winter break in the best way possible in order to get into shape. Both teams started the match in a controlled manner, and the match began in the form of a midfield battle. The USA team scored the first goal of the match, and also the first goal of the second half of the Tournament. Italian team resisted USA attacks with their strong defense, which is also a characteristic of their national team. However, insistent attacks of the USA team resulted in the second goal for them - USA: 2, Italy: 0. Italy caught the equality in the score by scoring two consecutive goals and by this morale boost, they scored another goal to get ahead and finished the first half-time 3 to 2. The second half-time pressure by Italian side yielded its result and this closely contested opening match ended with an 8-5 win for Italy. Italian player Ettore Tullio’s performance in that match was worth to mention with his 6 goals.

Group A matches started with the IIS-Russia match. IIS team won cruising to an easy victory with 5 goals against Russia. IIS players continued their good football both halves and finished the match

by IIS Football Committeeiisfootball@intersociety.net

The IIS-TA Football League 2010-2011

Season Review

May / June 2011 55

5-1. Russian captain Ivan Prokopenko gentlemanly expressed that this was a well-deserved win for IIS team.

Germany and Kazakhstan played the second match of Group B. The first goal came from the German side, which is assertive for the leadership of Group B. Kazak team looked very willing. On the 45th minute, Germans added another goal and won the match 2-0.

Second week of the second season was postponed due to heavy snow in Ankara. Ankara was white all over and it was time to rest. Matches continued in the following week, 16 March.

Third week of the second half of the Tournament started with the match between two strong teams, AMAC and France. Both teams were wary and controlled. The attacks by AMAC were prevented

by means of the keen attention of Grégoire Drozd in the French defense. In the minutes when the French team caught net positions with its effective play, AMAC team surprisingly scored a goal by a cannon with veteran player Abakirov: AMAC 1; FRANCE 0. It is in the nature of football; not always the best playing side, but sometimes the luckier side may find the goal. After the goal, the French team increased its charges. In the free kick Greg used from a distant point, the AMAC goalkeeper, a successful player of the day, could save a goal from the corner of the goal posts. In the second half, AMAC made a fast start; however, the first head shot went out with a little difference. The effective and hard shot by Greg, who dribbled three opposing players, was stopped by the AMAC goalkeeper. As a result of the great effort of the French team, Murat Örer brought the balance to the score: AMAC 1; FRANCE 1. After the French team leveled the tie, both teams preferred a controlled

May / June 2011 57

game. The apparent consent of the teams for a tie prevented further positions and goal chances. The match without a favorite ended with a deserved tie. And so both teams started the league without losing their assertion. Grégoire Drozd and Viktor Matis were the spectacular players of the night.

In Group B, Germany-Japan match started very fast. Germany caught many goal opportunities and became the side which found a goal at the 11th minute. The Germans, who in general were the dominant side in the match, scored successive goals and defined the score of the first half as 5-0. In the second half, it was again Germany who scored the first goal but the efforts of the Japanese team yielded its results at the 40th minute and they scored their first goal. At the minutes when Japan charged, Germany found successive goals to make the score 11-1. Towards the end of the game, Japan found a goal to make the score 11-2. Hideki Matsuda, the

captain of the Japan team and holder of the Most Gentleman Player award of the league, scored a goal for his team in that match before saying goodbye to Turkey and leaving to Japan. Germans showed that they are assertive for the leadership of Group B.

Portugal vs. Nordics was another spectacular game to remember. Portuguese team started the season devoid of Pedro Judez, holder of Top Goal Scorer and the Best Player of the League awards. The Nordic team found the opening goal soon after the start of the game with Kadir Ekrek, flash transfer of the year. The team of the country of Ronaldo and Quaresma could not have any result from their attacks which were eliminated by the strong Nordic defense composed of tall players. The favorite team- Portugal, had to leave the field disappointed with a 2-1 lost.

In Qatar vs. Kazakhstan match, the ball continually

went back and forth between the Kazakh and Qatar half-courts. First half ended with a score of 0-0 as a result of the controlled play of both sides. Qatar found the goal it had been seeking at the beginning of the second half. In the minutes when the Kazakh team charged in order to bring the balance to the score, Qatar found a suitable position and scored the second goal. In the face of the tough defense of Qatar, Kazakhstan couldn’t find the goal it expected, and the match ended 3-0 with the goal Qatar scored towards the end of the match. Qatar with its strong defense is one of the strong candidates for Group B leadership.

USA and Germany played on March 23 in the fourth week of the tournament. The German team found a goal at the first position they caught. Fervent play of the German team resulted in their finding successive goals. Towards the end of the first half, the game was played mostly in the form of a midfield battle. However, at the very last minute of the first half the German team scored a goal and closed the first half victoriously with a score of 5-1. USA team which could not score in suitable positions in the first half was determined not to surrender and made the score 5-2 with an extraordinary goal. Then the German team made the score 6-2 with the steadfastness and efforts of its players. The last goal of the German team came as a result of the mistake of the goalkeeper, but still the goal shot should be given its due credit. So, Germany, the side assertive in the struggle for championship, won its third match with a lopsided victory and continued its assertion.

The UK-Ireland team, which hasn’t allowed any other team to win the cup until now, started the second half again with the target of championship. The UK-Ireland team started the match against the Russian team in a much disciplined way, which is a characteristic of the classical English football. UK-Ireland team gained the dominance of the game just at the beginning of the match. But, a mistake they made in a preparation pass resulted in the

Russian team’s catching the first position. While the game was going in balance, DanWilson, who won the Best Midfielder award in last season, brought the difference to the match with his superior style, scoring a goal with his net shot. Following that goal, Austin increased the goal difference to two with the spectacular head shot. Though the harmony and attention of the UK-Ireland defense prevented the goal positions from developing, the Russian side was able to make the score 2-1. Yet, the goal scored by Austin disheartened Russia, which was not so effective at those minutes, and after the goal they scored by Engin’s foot, the UK-Irish Team completely relaxed. The Russian team lost their assertion for championship to a great extent as a result of the two successive defeats they received at the second half. Man of the Match was undoubtedly Austin Ben Asuqwo, the Top Goal Scorer of the last season together with Pedro Judez.

Portugal vs. France match followed UK/IRE – Russian match. The French team started the match very effectively, but Portugal got the upper hand with

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an excellent free kick: 1-0. After the goal, Portugal caught another net goal position, but Serbulent Demir, the talented goalkeeper of the French team was quite successful in that position. The Portuguese team made the score 2-0 as a result of its organized charges. Both teams could not make use of many suitable positions as goalkeepers of both sides were in form that night. While the match, which was extremely important for both teams, was in balance in terms of play, France was strong enough to turn the score to 3-2. Then the Portuguese team replied and again balanced the score. Soon after the equilizer goal, a very powerful shot by the Portuguese side in a free kick went wide narrowly, and this match without a favorite ended after a spectacular game and with a 3-3 score by which both teams got their deserved points.

In group B, Balkan – Italy teams began their match with high motivation. Balkans found the first goal on the 20th minute, and after this they scored the second goal very easily. The dominant team was Balkans during the match, they did not loose control

and they found 5 goals in total winning with a score of 5-2.

Nordics – Russia played on April 6 in the sixth week of the tournament. The first dangerous charge came from the Russian team but the Nordics got ahead with the excellent goal of Kadir: 1-0. Following Kadir’s goal, Nordic team continued its effective play. Kadir brought the ball through the left wing, dribbled the rival player and with a hard shot sent the ball to the net at the corner: 2-0. Though it fell behind, Russia did not throw the match. And as a result of its steadfastness, it founded the goal: 2-1. Soon after though, Kadir, who was the player of the day, came face to face with the goalkeeper and increased the goal difference to two again: 3-1. Russian Team responded with charges and made the score, with a sudden hard shot, 3-2. After that goal, the Russian team was even more eager in the game. In a corner shot by Russia, the Russian forward sent the ball to the corner of the Nordic goal post and attained equality in the score: 3-3. In the throw in they used, the Russian forward sent the ball into the Nordic net again: 3-4. The Nordics responded to that goal with a very similar one. In a throw in, the Nordic forward scored with a header goal: 4-4. The winner of this breathtaking match was the spectators watching this effective play and eager game. Both teams recorded 1 point to their scorecards.

Portugal & AMAC teams played on week 7. The first minutes of the game passed in the form of a struggle to possess the ball in the midfield. The Portuguese team began to throw its weight about the match, and after a while, they founded their first goal: 0-1. Portuguese team began to press on their rival with Julien from the wings, but towards the end of the first half the perfect pass by Fatih Taşkınsoy from the AMAC team left his teammate face to face with the Portuguese goalkeeper, and AMAC equalized the score with a nice shot: 1-1. At the beginning of the second half, the Portuguese team seemed very effective with its fast players, but their inadequacy

in the last passes prevented any change in the score. Towards the end of the game with their perfect pass organization, the AMAC team found two successive goals to bring the score to 3-1. Though AMAC was not effective in general in the game, they won this time with their patient play.

In Group B, Kazakhs and Balkans played in week 7. Kazakh team began the match with the motivation resulting from having won no points yet, and scored soon with the straight and hard shot of Nurali. The Balkan team had difficulty in getting organized and defensive mistakes they made brought goals to Kazakhstan. With its eager and fast play Kazakhstan finished the first half with a victorious 3-2. Though the Kazakhstan team was

May / June 2011 61

very ambitious to win the match, it was the Balkan team that began the second half more eagerly and found the goal. The Kazakhs had to content themselves with a draw, but the steadfastness of the Kazakh team made them win their first point against the Balkan team, which is considered one of the best teams in its group. On the other hand, this season Balkan team has played spectacular games and it is still one of the candidates for the Group B leadership.

We are in the 8th week of the tournament as this issue is prepared for press. The ranking in IIS-THY Football League is as following:

The fourth season of the IIS International Football League, which brought together hundreds of players from 44 nationalities will end with an award ceremony on 8 May 2011 at the Swiss Hotel with the participation of respected guests including many diplomats besides the present and former soccer players. Championship, Runner-up, Group B

leadership, MVP, Top Goal Scorer, Best Midfielder, Defensive player,

Goal Keeper, Forward Player, The Most Gentlemen Player/Team, and other awards will be presented.

A novel application is increasingly becoming widespread in aesthetics, a field in which progress and development never ends. This treatment model, bringing together two different applications ensures unique results.

The first step in dermatherapy is the application of Dermarollers.

Dermarollers are also known worldwide as “mesorollers” and “microneedles.” They consist of specially prepared, extra fine 192 steel needles studded around a cylindrical roller. The important criteria are the symmetry of the needles, the material they are made of, the depth of the part above the cylinder that will penetrate into the skin and the number of needles.

These are the Dermarollers prepared with appropriate criteria and clinically tested with CE certification and “original” Dermaroller products. This is a very effective medical tool being used since the beginning of the 2000s.

“Dermatherapy” is enhancing the penetration into the skin of a topical product, which includes growth factor, biomimetic peptides and stem cell extracts for various indications on the skin, in combination with a dermaroller.

Stem cells are the main cells that make all the organs and tissues of our bodies. These cells, which

have not differentiated can indefinitely divide, can regenerate themselves and can transform into organs and tissues.

The stem cell extract, obtained from “stem cells” that are the building blocks of our cells, virtually regenerates the skin by ensuring that new cells and building blocks are “regenerated” under the skin, as well as including the protection and support features in other products. Moreover, the effects of the stem cells extract is not limited to age defying. With this method, quite well results are obtained in treatment of acne scars, and in many problems, the solution of which are deemed to be nearly impossible up today, such as under-eye dark spots and hair loss.

Normal skin care products try to stop the reduction of some building blocks under the skin or to regenerate them. However, most of such products lose their effectiveness before reaching under the skin. Dermaroller is a novel technology that has made a revolution in the aesthetics sector, ensuring that the stem cell extract readily reaches under the skin. Dermarollers open micro-channels on the skin, enabling the stem cell extract to penetrate transdermally 200-fold more. When the Dermaroller is applied to the skin, the needles on the cylindrical roller open micro-channels on the skin. These channels can be thought of transdermal passages. The Dermaroller is applied in a star pattern in each region, 6-10 times on average. Repeating the procedure many times in a region, about 250-300

DERMAROLLERS AND DERMATHERAPYDermatherapy, as a novel treatment model, offers solutions for many dermal problems. Principally, for anti-aging and acne scars, and also for skin cracks, under-eye bags and dark circles, dark skin spots, and intense hair loss in men and women.

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micro-channels every 1 cm2 are opened. In general, no bleeding occurs during the opening of these micro-channels. These micro-channels will spontaneously close within approximately 20 minutes with the self-elasticity of the skin without leaving any marks. In another aspect, for 20 minutes thousands of transdermal gates are obtained. Another advantage of dermatherapy is the effect of the Dermaroller itself. The micro-channels opened by the Dermaroller are perceived as scars by the skin and this starts the repair mechanism of the skin itself although there are no scars. One of the most important functions of this mechanism is the synthesis of structures such as collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin fibrils due to secretion of growth factors. All these substances produced will produce an anti-aging effect since there are no real scars. It becomes possible to see the fine lines and wrinkles; burn and acne scars are reduced. Complete effect is between three and nine months. The patient observes the improvement gradually. In controlled experiments, 200% increase in collagens is seen after 6-8 weeks. Collagen stimulation therapy is a non-ablative therapy. This treatment can be applied in general using a local anesthetic cream.

Dermaroler needles are of four different diameters and sizes:0.25 mm needles ensure more absorption of skin care products. 0.5 mm dermarollers are used for: Face skin regeneration (age defying) Reducing wrinkles Prevention of aging Improves sun light damage1 mm Dermarollers are used for: Diminishing cellulite Reducing or eliminating cracks Face and skin age-defying, reducing wrinkles Eliminates skin spots1.5 mm Dermarollers are used for: Reducing or eliminating scars such as surgical, acne and burn scars.

Eliminates rough and wide-pored skin.

Principal usage areas of the Dermaroller:1. In dermatology, it increases transdermal penetration of topical formulations by 200-fold. It maximizes the effect of the formulation on the skin (enhancement of Transdermal penetration - Dermatherapy).2. Offers an anti-aging effect by stimulation of new collagen, elastin, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid.3. Dermaroller may be used in melasma and hyperpigmentation.4. Dermaroller has very successful results on acne scars (ice pick, rolling, box car).5. Dermaroller helps improvement of the wide-pored skin structure.6. Dermaroller reduces skin cracks (stretch marks or strias).7. Dermaroller is effective in increasing mobility capacity in burn scars (reducing contracture).They are safe:• Dermaroller does not cause sun light sensitivity.• Dermaroller can be safely used even in the summer months. It does not damage the barrier feature of the skin.• Dermaroller does not require special care after application (dermatherapy).• The patients may go on with their daily lives after dermaroller application.

Advantages:Does not cause pain.Can be applied anywhere on the body, on the face, neck, back and even on the head.The high quality steel needles for medical usage do not cause allergy. Is rather cheap compared to many other treatments.

Katyusha (“Катюша” in Russian) is a Russian song which was composed during the Soviet era and it is still very popular. Though it is generally known as a folk song, in fact it was composed by Matvei Isaakovich Blanter in 1938 and the lyrics were written by Mihail Isakovsky. It was first performed on 27 November 1938, in the Column Hall of the House of the Unions in Moscow by Valentina Batischeva. Some critics do not accept that it is a composition of Blanter based on its similar tones with the opera “Mavra” (1922), which was adapted into Chanson Russe by Igor Stravinsky in 1937. In later times, the song was also performed by Lidiya Ruslanova, Georgiy Vinogradov, Vera Krasovitskaya, Sara Gorbi, Eduard Hil, Dmitriy Hvorostovskiy, Jasmin and the Japanese musical community.

During World War II, almost all of the soldiers participating in the war left their families or lovers back in their homeland, and the girl mentioned in the song (Katyusha) was the image of their lover waiting for them in their homeland. They imagined the lover waiting for them back in their homeland just as Kaytusha: a brave, faithful, sensitive and patriotic girl having the confidence that her lover would return from the front with victory. And thus the song became popular and eventually turned into a folk song. It was so frequently sang in fronts, factories and hospitals that the BM-8, BM-13, and BM-31 “Katyusha” rocket launchers that were built and fielded by the Red Army in World War II were named after this song. The song is referred in some places as ‘Kazachok’ as well.

The lyrics of the song, which tell the story of the faithful Katyusha waiting for her lover, are also very meaningful. Katyusha is a tender diminutive from the female name Ekaterina (Catherine). Katya is the nickname and Katyusha is a tender diminutive. Similar nicknames and diminutive forms are used frequently in Russian language, such as Natasha or Natashen’ka for Natalya and Misha for Mikhail.

The lyrics of Katyusha have a different manner. As is known, during wartime soldiers needed to hear words that would uplift them in terms of morale and strength. And they could find all the things they yearned in this song: love, family, their beloved country, the home they wanted to return to, friends, etc.

And now let’s read the lyrics of Katyusha:

Pears and apples blossomed on their branches.

Mist (was) creeping on the river.

Katyusha set out on the banks,

Katyusha

by Ekaterina Shatalova

May / June 2011 65

On the steep and lofty bank.

She was walking, singing a song

About a grey steppe eagle,

About her true love,

Whose letters she was keeping.

Oh you song! Little song of a maiden,

Head for the bright sun.

And reach for the soldier on the far-away border

Along with greetings from Katyusha.

Let him remember an ordinary girl,

And hear how she sings,

Let him preserve the Motherland,

Same as Katyusha preserves their love.

At the end of the 1930s, Mikhail Isakovsky won the Stalin Award given by Stalin for this song, and gave this award as a present to his fellow citizens living in the Smolensk region. Later, a “Katyusha Song Museum” was founded in the village where Isakovsky was born and raised. This is a unique museum that can be found nowhere else in the world.

Eventually, “Katyusha” became a popular song all around the world. You can hear the song in many languages including German, English, Chinese, Finnish and French (Casatschok). In Italian there are two versions of “Katyusha,” one being “Katarina” and the other “Fischia il vento.’’

Japan’s Fukushima

Japan’s Self-Defense Force has been continuing the efforts to cool the crippled reactors at the Daiichi

Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture since the biggest earthquake. The number of people confirmed dead or missing in Japan after a massive earthquake and tsunami has risen to almost 11,000.

Al Gore on Turkey

Former US Vice President Al Gore says Turkey could be a leader in its region in reversing the effects of global warming through the climate policies it has the option of endorsing.

Gore, who has become the most insistent voice sounding the “wake-up call” for governments around the world to preemptively contain global warming, said at a forum in İstanbul that Turkey has the ability to provide leadership and support for the changes in policy that the world needs. Gore’s remarks came at a seminar in İstanbul at the Leaders of Change Summit, where many international figures, academics, intellectuals and senior government

officials convened to discuss ways to positively contribute to change.

Condolences for Indian Ambassador to Turkey

Indian Ambassador to Turkey Raminder Singh Jassal passed away at the Başkent University Hospital in Ankara, where he was being treated for brain cancer.

Jassal, 59, was married to Smita Jassal and had two sons. He had been representing his country here since November 2008, a three-year period in which senior-level contact between the two distant countries considerably grew. Joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1976, Jassal assumed important posts in critical capitals, such as Moscow and Washington.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu visited the Indian Embassy residence to offer his condolences to the Jassal family and the embassy

staff. Expressing deep sadness over the loss of the veteran diplomat earlier that day, he said Jassal had a very special place in his heart.

Conference of Ministers

Italian and Swedish foreign ministers, along with ministers, businessmen and intellectuals from various countries, were in İstanbul to participate in a conference on Europe’s economic growth on March 4-5.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış, Finance Minister Ali

by Emre Göksu emre.goksu@intersociety.net

News Review

May / June 2011 67

Babacan, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Italian Finance Minister Giulio

Tremonti and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt are among those who will attend the conference, “Europe beyond the EU: the geo-economy of the wider continent.”

Aspen Institute Italia, Sabancı University’s İstanbul Policy Center, Koç University, the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD) organized the conference as part of the Aspen European Dialogue series.

Turkey sends Rescue Team to Japan

Turkey has sent a 33-member search-and-rescue team to quake- and tsunami-hit Japan, one week after the twin natural disasters that left more than 11000 dead and over 10,000 missing.

The Prime Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency M a n a g e m e n t Directorate said in a

statement on Thursday that Turkey was sending the rescue squad at the request of Japanese authorities. The team also includes experts from the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) and the Ministry of Health. Three vehicles, two trailers, 40 dosimeters and five sets of radiation measuring equipment were also sent to Japan.

Obama talks to PM Erdoğan on the phone

During a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over Libya crisis, US President Barack Obama thanked Turkey for aiding the release of four New York Times journalists who

had been detained in Libya during fighting between government and rebel forces.

“The President expressed appreciation for Turkey’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in Libya, including its assistance in facilitating the release and safe passage to Tunisia of four New York Times journalists who had been detained in Libyan custody,” the White House said of the conversation initiated by Obama on Monday.

The New York Times also thanked on Monday the Turkish government for intervening to help secure the release of its journalists.

Turkey & Sweden signs bilateral agreement

The Turkish Ministry of Justice and the Swedish National Courts Administration on Friday signed a new bilateral two-

year agreement for the justice system to enhance cooperation between Turkey and Sweden in the process of European Union accession.

Establishing a court of appeals in the administrative judiciary, strengthening confidence in the judiciary, supporting the court of appeals reform, restructuring tasks and court management, and juvenile justice are designated areas of cooperation under the agreement.

Visegrad Group (V-4) supports Turkey’s Accession to EU

The consuls general of the Visegrad Group (V-4), the regional alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, said that they are supportive of Turkey’s accession to the European Union and that Ankara should never lose the strategic goal of EU

membership even though there may be ups and downs in the process.

The consuls general also said

that they never forget Turkey’s support when they were trying to enter NATO.

Found in 1991, the V-4 was not created as an alternative to the all-European integration efforts but it aims at encouraging optimum cooperation with all countries, in particular its neighbors.

Also commemorating their 20th anniversary at the roundtable, the consuls general of the V-4 were joined by the consuls general of Belgium and Romania in İstanbul and academics who discussed the V-4 and EU enlargement.

Turkish-Armenian Representative to OECD

In line with the government’s efforts to thaw the ice between the state and ethnic and religious minorities, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu planned to appoint Dr. Daron Acemoğlu, a Turkish-Armenian as the country’s permanent representative to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

However, because the academic Davutoğlu had in mind prefers to continue his career in academia, the planned appointment did not take place. Had he accepted, Dr. Acemoğlu would have been appointed Turkey’s permanent representative to the leading international organization

Jewish Soccer Team named “Children of Turkey”

A group of Turkish Jews in Israel have recently established a soccer team which they think will help

maintain Turkish traditions in the Jewish state.

“Children of Turkey,” as they call their soccer team, is comprised of children from ages six to 13 whose parents emigrated from Turkey to Israel.

Most of the children support one of İstanbul’s three big soccer teams: Galatasaray, Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe.

NGOs’ call on politicians

More than 100 nongovernmental organizations, including Turkey’s main business associations and trade unions, joined forces to call on politicians to revive Turkey’s stalled European Union membership process after the upcoming parliamentary elections on June 12, saying the current stalemate is worrying.

US Supports Turkish-Armenian talks

Philip Gordon, US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs said that the US continues to strongly support direct dialogue and the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkey and Armenia made a bold move two years ago to normalize relations and establish diplomatic ties after a century of animosity between the two nations, but the process stalled after both sides proposed a number of preconditions before displaying the political will to implement the vision detailed in the documents.

May / June 2011 69

İstanbul to host Committee of Ministers

İstanbul will witness a first in May as the Turkish foreign minister, as the outgoing

chairman of the decision-making body of the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers, puts the first signature on the first-ever European Human Rights treaty intended especially to protect women.

Turkish officials have not hidden their pride over hosting such an exceptional event. The event’s novelty is not only limited to the fact that the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, adopted at a meeting of the ministers’ deputies on April 6, will be opened for signature by member states at the ministerial session on May 11 in İstanbul.

The second exceptional characteristic of the event is its venue, since such ministerial-level meetings are generally hosted in Strasbourg. This time, on the occasion of Turkey’s handing over the rotating chairmanship to Ukraine, it is being hosted in İstanbul upon Ankara’s proposal.

Turkey to grant visas at airports to 46 African countries

Turkey has said it will grant visas at border gates for businessmen from African countries for stays up to 30 days if certain conditions are met as part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate visa requirements for African businessmen.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Turkey has decided to issue visas at the entry point in İstanbul’s Atatürk International Airport starting today for businessmen and citizens from 46 African countries who travel with Turkish Airlines (THY) and

for businessmen who hold a valid 6-month Schengen, British or American visa. This will be applicable to the citizens of 46 sub-Saharan African countries, including Angola, Chad, Somali, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.

Turkey and Norway to exchange diplomats for peace mediation efforts

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Norway have signed an accord on exchanging diplomats to facilitate mutual learning from each other’s experiences in peace mediation efforts.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that Turkey wanted to work more closely with Norway in relation to developments in the Middle East, the Palestinian issue, Afghanistan and the Balkans.

“We will engage in joint efforts as much as possible, so that peace and stability dominate in these regions,” Davutoğlu said after the signing ceremony with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Store.

‘School without Racism’: an effective model against racism

Hundreds of thousands of minors are being educated to be aware of racism for the sake of peaceful co-existence in Germany, which faced the dark chapter in history of National Socialism when millions of people were cruelly murdered.

The initiative, “Schule ohne Rassissmus, Schule mit Courage” (School without Racism, School with Courage), leads these kids to realize the importance of respecting human rights and guides students in the face of racism. The contribution of these youth to an anti-racist future is the ultimate goal of the project.

The festival this year will screen 66 films of 68 directors from 30 countries including but not limited to Poland, Mexico, Cuba, Finland, German and Iran in different venues like Kızılırmak Movie Theatre & Goethe Institut Ankara and also in universities Hacettepe, Ankara and Middle East Technical Üniversity.

Awards

Actress Derya Alabora is rewarded with the Honorary Award of the festival this year. The Bilge Olgac Achievement Award will go to singer Handan Kara and actress Deniz Turkali.

And the Young Witch Award goes to…

The 3rd Young Witch Award of the festival will be given to an actress, but the name will remain as a surprise until the end of the festival. A young female performer who has taken part in Turkish cinema during the previous year will be selected and awarded by the festival’s Advisory Board.

&CU

LTU

RED

IARY

ART

14th Flying Broom Women’s Film Festival

5-12 May 2011,ANKARA

May / June 2011 71

Hosting master classes and workshops of famous performers all year as well as mini festivals such as “Baroque Music Days”, “Guitar Days” and “Piano Days”, the Multi-Purpose Hall of Akbank Art paves the way for raising the master musicians of the future through these events, one last being between 5-31 May.

Lazhar Cherouana will perfrom the unforgettable compositions of de Falla, José, Rodrigo and Turina in his concert at Akbank Art, on 5th of May.

Depicted by the music authorities as “breathtaking”, the Katona Twins will take to the stage on 12-13 May 2011 Thursday and Friday.

Regarded as one of the most gifted classical music interpreters of today by the music authorities with her “outstanding technique” and “unique style” Irina Kulikova takes to the stage on 17 May 2011, Tuesday.

Having given countless concerts both as soloist and concerto interpreter in the international music arena and regarded as one of most important musicians of today, the award-winning performer Dale Kavanagh will take to the stage on 26 May 2011.

Akbank Sanat Guitar Days will end with the concert that Stepan Rak , a great performer and composer having a unique place among classical guitar artists, will give on 31 May 2011, Tuesday.

AKBANK ART HOSTING “GUITAR DAYS” MINI FESTIVAL IN MAY 05-31 May 2011