WHERE EAST MEETS WEST

WEMW 2008

2008-12-31T11:11:00.006+02:00

W E M W
Where East Meets West

Featuring NPP correspondent Arther C. Withernee
Another Minister Talking Out Of His Proverbial Rear Carbuncle
Fair well Turkiye
Mystery image of life on Mars
Is it official BBC policy to side-line Ron Paul?
In support of Canon Ian Sherwood
Your BBC Posting has been removed
Hymens and Teddy Bears
Letter to Burak Bekdil and Mustafa Akyol
It Remains A Man's World
Istanbul Biennale 2007 Rejection
Confusion Over The Next President Of Turkey
Woof! Woof! Meow!
A Mountain From A Molehill
Pope Signs In With Peace At Home Quote
Pride And Prejudice And Niggas
Turkiye 10 November 2006
Oh Those Frenchies
The New Mid-East Map
Religion In Turkish politics
The Pope's Own Life Of Brian
Secular Versus Theocratic Turkey
NPP Used For New Yeşim Salkım Video
Istanbul Theatre Festival Use Rainbow Image
Freedom - Exactly What Is It?
PM's Least Favourite Cartoonist Awarded
Protest Against Mayor Gokcek Using Ataturk
Rock Against Everything For Peace
Turkey, Food Production And The EU
Same Old Rhetoric & Faces In Turkey
English Artist Risks Trial
The Image Of Modern Turkey
We Love Sofi

Another Minister Talking Out Of His Proverbial Rear Carbuncle

2008-06-30T11:11:00.001+03:00

An open letter to the Turkish Daily News passed to Arther C. Withernee for WEMW

Re: Dolmabahçe faces 5-star 'suffocation'
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=108481

Yet another one, this time the so called culture and tourism minister, is talking out of his proverbial rear carbuncle. Negative, ill-informed moaning and groaning from yet another politician devoid of intelligent vision, common sense or culture. How such a nation could give the world a man of vision like Mustafa Kemal and also serve up idiots to positions of power who merely kowtow to their own private interests and bizarre agendas, whatever they may be, is mind boggling.

Thank goodness I left Turkiye and am away from these twits currently promoting your country. Perhaps Mr. Ertugrul Gunay feels London should demolish the Lloyd's and Gherkin buildings for suffocating The Tower of London? Cities are cities and tourism ministers thankfully come and go. Hopefully, the next one will focus on positive progressive visions rather than sit on his backside stuck in the past.

To the Swiss Hotel and Ritz-Carlton Gokkafes: of course in the Turkish business world of diplomatic sensitivities and political correctness, you will not dare, but should you ever require it, I am at your service.

And, while I'm about it, I do not align myself with descriptions such as Kemalist, communist, Islamist, fascist, pacifist, Taoist, Buddhist, poohist or any other ist, but if Egemen Bagis deems the AKP as Kemalist, I am the Queen of Sheebist.

Turkey, when you have seen the light and ridden yourselves of these backward prehistoric numbskulls, call me, I'll be your culture and tourism minister.

Ned Pamphilon
Universal artist from the constellation of Lyra.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 30 June 2008

Fair well Turkiye

2008-04-29T11:11:00.001+03:00

This is an open letter passed to Arther C. Withernee by NPP for the attention of:
The Turkish Daily News
Chiefs of Staff at the Turkish Military; air, sea and land
The President of Turkiye
The Prime Minister of Turkiye
The Police of Turkiye
The Mayor of Istanbul
TUSIAD

NPP have left Istanbul and relocated back to the UK.

To immediate friends and neighbours, the students and the children of Turkiye, thank you for your friendship and hospitality. To the authorities, government and power brokers - you have not properly utilised NPP, nor do you properly utilise and fairly distribute the resources of your nation.

NPP leave you with Ataturk Gulumsuyor at I.C.E.C., 43 paintings at Bakirkoy Bobrek Hastanesi, the image Ataturk Eyes to be used for example commemorate national days such as 29 October and 10 November; we leave the Istanbul Police Department with Gelecege Gulumsemek and several schools and public areas with NPP artwork - all free of charge. Regarding Gelecege Gulumsemek and the Istanbul Police Department, we again ask the Police Chief, Mayor and Governor of Istanbul, where is this portrait? At the Police Station? At one of your private homes? Or have you merely discarded Ataturk altogether?
http://nppevents.blogspot.com/2006/04/2006-police-anniversary.html

Attention for the Turkish public: NPP suggests the 'Al Gore Global Warming' pitch is a scam we guard you to beware of allowing the Turkish nation to become embroiled in this scam. Even the Vatican is purporting the same carbon footprint policy which only confirms NPP suspicions. If the Vatican really want to enlighten us, they open the Vatican library to the people of the world in the name of freedom of information. NPP suggest to you it is the sun and the natural warming and cooling of our planetary system affecting our climate. This is why Ned Pamphilon created Moo Gaz in public at Tepe Nautilus Shopping Mall. Indeed, as a point of note NPP completed 3 cows in 3 weeks live on the shop floor in public with the public, yet the official Cow Parade organisers refused to pay even the 500YTL copyright fee.

NPP urge the Turkish government to take a lead on the UFO disclosure issue and implement a national and international drive toward the distribution of free energy for the people of Turkiye and the world. This will have to include an amnesty for all, all those who have controlled and killed over the decades in keeping advanced technology from the rest of us. Paul Hellyer was once considered responsible enough to be the Defence Minister for Canada. He is now publicly speaking upon the subject of UFO disclosure. Invite him to Turkey and listen with open heart and mind...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=986254758760098535
I paraphrase JP Morgan's answer to Nikola Tesla in 1903...
"Great technology, but I can't put a meter on it."

For those outside Turkey, please be aware, the Turks gave their lives to secure their current national territory and as Ataturk stated, we want nothing more and nothing less. If you had 7 bordering countries in this day and age you too would maintain a strong military. The EU should get it's own house in order before pointing the finger at Turkiye and Turkiye get your house in order regardless. I suspect it is not necessary for you to join the EU when you can form trade relations as with any nation in the world.

As for 'Turkishness'. What is the problem? It is simple:
"Everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk"
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer November 2004

NPP exhibited at the Ciragan Kempinski December 2006 and generated income for Losemli Vakfi and Turkish collaborators. Ataturk portraits and Turkish inspired artworks were sold. In 2008 the same Ciragan denied NPP an exhibition because Ned Pamphilon is not Turkish; because Ned Pamphilon has the wrong passport. So be it, he has returned home. NPP thank the two Turkish businessman who separately sponsored and organised my relocation. They know who they are.

In past years Ned has sat at Turkish dining tables and argued in support for Tony Blair's decision to invade Iraq. NPP feels shame for this misguided opinion and asks for forgiveness. Look to Ataturk and Republican candidate Ron Paul for direction on foreign policy. Neither the US nor UK have right to be in Afghanistan, Iraq or anywhere else. God forbid there should be an incursion into Iran.

NPP windows shook 3 times while in Istanbul: during the 1999 earthquake, in 2003 when Roger Short and his colleagues were murdered and on 9/10 when a suicide bomb detonated in Taksim Square. Since then, 9/11 has subsequently affected everybody and if you believe 4 planes flew around US airspace undetected for even an hour and that those '3' steel high rise World Trade Centre buildings came down at free fall speed because of fire, you have been fooled. They blamed 19 Muslims and the world just accepts it. Beware, for the next false flag operation may well be a pretend UFO invasion. You may laugh, but be awake and aware.

People of Turkiye, NPP bid you fair well and ask you to Think! Dusun!

Yours sincerely,
Ned Pamphilon Productions
Yurtta Bagis, Dunyada Bagis - Peace at Home, Peace in the World.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 29 April 2008

Mystery image of 'life on Mars'

2008-01-24T11:11:00.000+02:00

Mystery image of 'life on Mars'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7205004.stm

Submitted to
What do you think? Is it a mermaid or the little green man? Send us your views using the form below:

Ask Paul Hellyer, ex Canadian Defence Minister.
Ask Dr. Steven Greer of the Disclosure Project.
Ask Dr. Stanton T Friedman.
...the list is endless.
Read former US Colonel Philip Corso's book.
...the references are endless.

Indeed, this should be subject matter at the current Davos pow wow.

Decades ago JP Morgan said to Tesla: "Great technology, but how do I put a meter on it?

The BBC's approach to off worldly matters is akin to primary school children investigating the subject. Indeed, children would be more objective. It is a shocking disgrace, but then we wouldn't want to reveal the free energy already available to human beings would we?! We wouldn't want to be overly investigative would we?

Laugh at me? Be my guest!

It has to be considered a rock formation in ordinary world-think, but of course, if the information concerning the Moon, Venus and Mars is nearer the truth - these planets have atmosphere and are habited by beings and visited by 'humans' - then it may be a shot of a being out for a walk.

It is a lot of speculation about an inconclusive event when we (the media and public) should be addressing the fundamental contemporary basics of JFK, 9/11, Trueman's industrial complex statement and getting the concept of free technology into the public conscienceness instead of scare mongering the public while presenting Al Gore with ridiculous Nobel gongs.

Ask Michael Cremo about the artifacts found on earth within rock millions years old? Go on BBC, I dare you!

Paraphrasing Oscar Wilde and Freddie Mercury: The truth will out my dears, the truth will out!

I put it to you my Lord, the public and most authorities are in for a huge surprise.

Oh, hang on! Hold the space trip - there is important breaking news about the You Tube ban in Turkey and a British Minister buying a kebab in South London.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 24 January 2008

Is it official BBC policy to side-line Ron Paul?

2008-01-22T11:11:00.000+02:00

Ned has written to the BBC; again...

Attention: BBC Radio 4 The Today Programme, PM Programme, iPM and all of you.

Is there an official policy within the BBC to ignore US Presidential election candidate Ron Paul? I do not understand why the BBC is blatantly ignoring the good story which Ron Paul is. I can only assume it is because some one does not want us to hear what Ron Paul has to say. He's breaking internet records, fund raising records, he so personable and debates extremely well. For example he is consistently beating Rudolph Giuliani, yet Rudolph Giuliani is included in your reports and profiles while Ron Paul is not. I specifically refer to the the BBC website...
bbc.co.uk
e.g. today's page link...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7201709.stm
or another e.g...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7198524.stm

On the right hand side there is a box labelled
Pick a candidate
...under which every name in the US election crops up except Ron Paul.

Don't you follow the real news?! It's 22.01.2008 and as I write Ron Paul has raised $3,262,810. 21 in the latest period - indeed another $1,000,000 since last night!
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Don't tell me he is not newsworthy or a serious candidate because I will reply you are merely incompetents repeating a bias party line.

I have joined and sent this message to the Ron Paul website...

Dear Dr. Paul,

you are the most refreshing politician I have heard in years. The rest are the same old story. I'm not sure about the pro-life (I support abortion for those who wish to choose it), but otherwise this Englishman in Istanbul is amazed at how the media and particularly the BBC in the UK is ignoring you. If I can help in any way please call me. What more can I say?

Vote Ron Paul - I will never forget how he has been neglected by the world media - never. British BBC, you are a shame and a disgrace. One day the general public will realise how much of a difference the BBC's indifference made to me. John Humphreys, Eddie Mair et al shame on you all.

I cannot believe your bias reporting - now I know it is official: you are all incompetent sheep.

Ned
Istanbul, Peace at Home, Peace in the World

24 January, we received a reply...

Dear Mr. Pamphilon:

Thank you for contacting my congressional office regarding my candidacy for President of the United States. There are strict limits on congressional offices' involvement in campaigns. Therefore, your e-mail is being forwarded to the Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign Committee that can be involved in matters related to my presidential campaign. The committee's website is http://www.RonPaul2008.com/.

Thank you again for contacting my office.

Sincerely,

Ron Paul

Confirmation # 1220962

I cannot guarantee the integrity of the text of this letter if it was not sent to you directly from my Congressional Email Account: rep.paul@mail.house.gov. If you have any questions about the validity of this message, please email me at: rep.paul@mail.house.gov or call my Washington, DC office at: (202) 225-2831.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 22 January 2008

In support of Canon Ian Sherwood

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000+02:00

Tuesday 15 January 2008 - Read an article in the TDN and felt compelled to respond...

Dear Damaris,

I've just read...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=93741

I want you to be aware.

I am not into organised religion and not a practising Christian; my belief is my business. But, in Canon Ian Sherwood I see nothing but a credit to Istanbul, Turkiye and the UK. The Bishop of Gibraltar has never replied to my e-mail or terrestrial communications in support of Victoria Short. I made him a hand made card; he must have noticed! The Bishop's team interfered with Victoria Short's position on the local church council and Victoria is a bloody hero and still walks the streets of the city where her husband was murdered. She could easily have left. Her husband and life were blown apart in one foul swoop - probably partly because of UK foreign policy. The church and Britain should be doing everything to support her. Ian Sherwood has been a huge support for her. This guy gives his time to homeless immigrants, brings people together from all parts of the world and writes wonderful 'Cookery Notes'. He takes great care over his church and welcomes one and all to visit.

The Canon does speak his mind and I might not agree with him all the time, but he is such a peaceful embracing individual. Please support Canon Sherwood.

By contrast, I can only conclude The Bishop of Gibraltar couldn't care less about anyone but himself and his cronies. Of course, the Bishop will win, but you could raise greater awareness about Canon Sherwood and send your article to UK newspapers.

Arther C. Withernee

.......of course, it is like peeing in the wind, but it's all part of the Peace Revolution.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 21 January 2008

Your BBC Posting has been removed

2008-01-14T11:11:00.000+02:00

I have recently had posts removed from the BBC PM blog, so I posted again and now this has been removed...

Dear PM Blog Moderator, PM & iPM, the Today programme and in particular you Messrs Mair & Humphreys; from whom I expect much better standards,

PM Blog Moderator has replied to me stating:
Thank you for contributing to a BBC site. Unfortunately we've had to remove your Posting below because it contravenes the House Rules.
URL of content (now removed):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/pmblog/F9099297?Thread=4964455&post=57766402

Exactly how did my post contravene House Rules? I guess because I suggested the politician saying he would be happy to live by a nuclear dump was lying and that I'd gladly tell the MF to his face? Or was it because I suggested Al Gore and his global warming Nobel prize is a pile of bull? Nevermind...

My argument is straight forward - we have free energy in our world today, but the powers that be are not sharing it with us.

Watch this collection of experienced and qualified people from
http://www.disclosureproject.com inform you further...
DISCLOSURE PROJECT MEETING...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vyVe-6YdUk

Why are we still debating tired, inefficient, old ideas with tired inefficient politicians and spokes persons? It will change and you can either involve yourselves with the relevant debate or stay stuck in the past. Your programmes are currently not meeting the required standards of investigative reporting.

JP Morgan said to to Tesla: "Great technology, but I can't put a meter on it."
Now born again Catholic Tony Blair is going to work for JP Morgan. It stinks.

Ron Paul is among the most interesting, refreshing and increasingly popular candidates for the US Presidency in decades and yet you are missing this real and emerging story.

Has the ex Canadian Defence Minister suddenly lost the plot? Is he now deemed a nutter to be avoided by the BBC? This is a very interesting example of news you have simply not addressed at all: Paul Hellyer and Paola Harris - Part 1 etc...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDOOZ_IPb6Y&feature=related

Gore cries global warming and probably greater taxation on the public while prominent and respected persons are claiming alternative energy sources.

Why isn't Bush Snr. taking action against Russel Bland for the comments made by David Icke on the Russel Brand show? Icke and Brand alleged Bush Snr. is a paedophile. Why is it left to BBC Radio 2's Russel Brand to raise these matters? I cannot abide his nauseating style, but at least he is doing what you are not: addressing important news issues...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2_aod.shtml?radio2/r2_brand

David Icke is right - you guys are mostly repeaters. Why do you allow yourselves to be this way?

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 14 January 2008

Hymens and Teddy Bears

2007-11-30T11:11:00.000+02:00

As my English colleague Chez said, totally flippin' insane, except he used a ruder 'f' word. Some weeks ago a story appeared in the English Daily Mail headlined...
Women get 'virginity fix' NHS operations
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=494118&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true#StartComments

Now, British officials are trying to secure the release of a British schoolteacher arrested in Sudan for letting her pupils name a teddy bear Muhammad...
Muhammad teddy teacher arrested
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7114439.stm

I don't even know where to begin about commenting upon these matters. Please, when will some sanity return to our world?

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 30 November 2007

Letter to Burak Bekdil and Mustafa Akyol

2007-09-02T21:11:00.000+03:00

Sunday 02 September 2007
Letter to Burak Bekdil and Mustafa Akyol at the TDN...

Dear Burak and Mustafa,

From the film The Life of Brian...
Brian to crowd: You're all individuals!
Crowd replies to Brian: Yes, we're all individuals!

Burak, keep on writing - I like it!
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/editorial.php?ed=burak_bekdil
Mustafa, I glanced over your article only because Burak mentioned you in his.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=82383
I'm adding your sites to the NPP blog...
http://www.mustafaakyol.org/
http://www.thewhitepath.com/

No wonder Ampul Kafe is PM when two fellows such as yourselves continue to argue the toss. A wealthy Turkish Muslim businessman told me the other day he believes there should be a little bit of religious education in schools and that if I, as a "Christian", had not read the Bible I could not know God. As I search the depths of my own intellectual argument I can only reply: What a load of bollocks!

How many Bibles, Korans and additional material must I read before I too am aware of the "deeper and true meanings and understandings" of religious doctrine or even Ataturk. Is one not born with instinct as to what feels right or wrong, good or bad? Or is it just me?

Personally, I have just finished Harry Potter 7 and have seen the light! Arsene Wenger is the Messiah!

Peace @ Home, Peace in the World and all that!

Arther C. Withernee

It Remains A Man's World

2007-05-07T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 May 2007

Unholy row resulted at a clergy soccer game. A friendship-building football match between Muslim and Christian clergy in Norway was called off after a row over the participation of women players. Read here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6628929.stm

Then read this report regarding a new university for women opening in Riyadh - yet Saudi Arabia remains a country where women cannot vote, drive, dress as they like or go where they please:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6625393.stm

It's so incredibly boring - boring men telling us to lead our lives according to their boring ideals. Please, women of the world, speak up and organise yourselves!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 May 2007

Istanbul Biennale 2007 Rejection

2007-05-03T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 03 May 2007

NPP are again left disappointed and reply to the Istanbul Biennale 2007 curator.......

Mr Hanru,

we acknowledge your letter of rejection. We remain confident that the Rainbow Bridge project would fulfill your international and domestic aims as well as anything else in your portfolio. We continue to wait for a governing authority and collaborators with the required vision to implement such a project.

Of the 3 projects we submitted to you, we have secured finance for the Learning Turkish project and will gladly document our Biennale application and rejection within the film.

As for our Peace @ Home, Peace in the World exhibition - what could be more appropriate for the the theme "Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War" ?

For 10 years the Istanbul Biennale has ignored NPP and does so again in 2007. Meanwhile, other artists known to us consistently receive invitation year in year out. Why is that we wonder? Bos ver, never mind, it's your gig and your choice.

Yours sincerely, Ned Pamphilon
Peace @ Home, Peace in the World

Indeed, I understand it was very tempting for NPP to just say go forth and multiply! We received this reply from the oh so efficient Biennale:
"Hi. This is the qmail-send program at mail.iksv.org. I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses. This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out."

Useless idiots! This was the rejection letter NPP received:

Dear Ned Pamphilon

As the curator of the 10th International Istanbul Biennial, our team has been continuing its hard work for one and half years in Istanbul. I’d like to mention with pleasure that the title of the Biennial, “Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War” draws attention both on the international scene and in Turkey.

I’ve completed the selection of the artists participating in the exhibition. This work required a really long and attentive process in which I had the privilege to get to know the work of many artists, including yourself after examining their proposals and portfolios sent to our office. This process helped me to understand how the concept of this biennial included so many possibilities and diverse interpretations. At this point, I’d like to present my greatest thanks to all of the artists who showed interest to the Istanbul Biennial via their proposals and portfolios that reveals various perspectives for the Biennial.

Determining the invitations of the artists to the exhibition was enormously enjoyable, but at the same time an extremely difficult process due to the variety of valuable alternatives. However considering the numerical and spatial restrictions as well as the necessities of the integrity of the exhibition, I regret to tell you that I was unable to integrate your work in the exhibition.

Thanking you once again for your interest.

I’d be delightful to see you at the Opening Ceremony of the Istanbul Biennial, scheduled to be on 07 September 2007.

Best Regards
Hou Hanru Curator
10th International Istanbul Biennial
www.iksv.org

Confusion Over The Next President Of Turkey

2007-04-30T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 30 April 2007

By Saturday 28 April it seemed clear Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan would not be the next President of Turkey. Instead he forwarded his Foreign Minister Abdulla Gul; an attempt by PM Erdogan to remain head of an AKP majority government with a more sympathetic President to pass the new laws and policies previously vetoed over recent years by staunchly secular President Sezer. On the night of Friday 27th there was a vote in parliament leaving confusion on how many members of parliament are required to be present for the vote to elect the President. It seems remarkable that such details had not already been laid out and agreed, but Turkey woke up Saturday to further uncertainty regarding the next President of the Turkish Republic. On the same Friday night, the head of the Turkish Armed Forces issued a strongly worded statement reminding one and all that no one will be allowed to undermine the secular constitution. In 1930 Ataturk stated: "The Turkish state is secular. Every individual reaching majority is free in choosing his or her religion."
However, in 2007 this principle, which seems fair and reasonable, apparently does not satisfy everyone.

The BBC reported: Army 'concerned' by Turkey vote: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6602375.stm
The New Anatolian reported: The first round inclusive CHP goes to court:
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-25905.html
(though it appears links to The New Anatolian suddenly no longer properly function, but never mind)
While The Turkish Daily News reported: Military issues harsh warning over secularism :
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=71761

At the same time an on going debate bubbles beneath the surface in the UK regarding faith and secularity. For example, read this article about a Racial 'time bomb' in UK schools:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6594911.stm
Both Turkey and the UK are addressing similar basic fundamentals: to what extent should religious doctrine be permitted to influence our daily lives? As an Englishman I grew up in a society indoctrinated at school with Christian beliefs rather than being introduced and educated widely in all spiritual options. In Turkey I found the secular constitution a personal liberation whereby I feel free to believe in whatever I choose. I found Ataturk's principles a revelation. As a foreigner observing Turkey I remain suspicious that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his power base do not share the same appreciation for Ataturk's secular principles. Erdogan was imprisoned for saying: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers..."
Of course, he should not have been imprisoned for expressing his point of view and prison merely further empowered him with his religious power base. Erdogan says he has changed. Secularists cite the AKP government's unsuccessful attempts to criminalize adultery, restrict alcohol sales and lift a ban on Islamic headscarves in government offices and universities as evidence that the party has not changed.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has said the current row in Turkey was "a clear test case whether the Turkish armed forces respect democratic secularization and democratic values". Well Mr. Rehn, if the religious lobby get their way, democratic and secular values may well become a secondary concern after the interpretations of Allah according to self appointed holy expects. How will that fit in with the EU Christian Club? Do the Turks even heed what the EU thinks? The EU appears to have lost influence in Turkey as public opinion has turned euro sceptic amid rows over Cyprus and other issues. Many Turks feel the EU simply does not want to admit Turkey, so why should the Turks concern themselves with the views of the EU? There is suspicion that the Islamic AKP government encourages EU support because by implication it gives the AKP leverage against the secular military.

The military have complained about a series of public events where it said Islam had encroached on secular traditions. In particular, it mentioned a competition for children to memorize the Quran during the April 23 Children's Day, a festival initiated by the country's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as a secular event. The competition was canceled after the program was publicized. The military statement also said girls dressed in Islamic outfits were seen reciting prayers at an Islamic event in the south-eastern city of Sanliurfa on April 22, as the organizers attempted pull down Turkish flags and pictures of Ataturk.

Parliamentary Speaker Bulent Arinc declared there was "No need for speculations". This is a man apparently yearning to be President; of whom I have heard is referred to as "Hoja" Arinc because of his religious convictions; whose commitment to the principles of Ataturk or secularity appear suspect. Read his latest comments here:
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-26000.html
(though it appears links to The New Anatolian suddenly no longer properly function, but never mind)

Meanwhile Terry Davis, secretary-general of the Council of Europe has commented that the Turkish military "should stay in their barracks and keep out of politics." Read here:
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-25999.html
(though it appears links to The New Anatolian suddenly no longer properly function, but never mind)
Why do EU politicians think they know better? There is a debate in the UK concerning secular values and religious influence, especially with regard to schools. The church has a huge influence upon the UK's infrastructure will no doubt do its utmost to maintain that influence. I recommend the public of the UK to be aware of these issues addressed by Ataturk decades ago and judge the Turkish military with an open mind. Would a religiously inclined Turkish government adhere to the structures of democracy more than the Turkish military? I am tempted to tell Ollie Rehn and Terry Davis to mind their words. The Turkish military may not be perfect, but is consistently touted by the Turkish people as the most trusted organisation above politicians or the business community. What if the Turkish military stood for democratic election? In Turkey they could even win!

The President of the Republic of Turkey and his wife are intended to portray a neutral religious image and the headscarf simply does not convey neutrality. The wives of Parliamentary Speaker Arinc, Foreign Minister Gul and PM Erdogan all wear the Islamic headscarf. What if a Jew or a Christian or a Buddhist was one day nominated for President? Technically it should be possible since as President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stated in November 2004: "Everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk"

Surely, the best solution for the future security of the Presidency is to maintain neutrality and ensure no one spiritual doctrine is given precedence. The AKP will argue Turkey is Muslim by an over whelming majority, but should then the UK insist only a representative of the Christian majority be allowed to stand as Prime Minister? As for the headscarf, if the UN could organise all nations to an agreement whereby each person is entitled to wear whatever religious or non-religious regalia they wish, perhaps the headscarf would cease to be such an issue. But, the likes of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan are unlikely to sign up to such a policy in theory or practice in the near future. Hence the headscarf remains a religious political symbol and Turkey, caught between the East and West, maintains a compromise solution: no headscarf in schools nor government departments, but wear what you wish in the street.

Why can't our children be free to grow and develop their own sense of faith? Why more often than not, are children indoctrinated with a faith before they are even old enough to better comprehend the subject and the options? Parents and the immediate adult social structure tend to encourage children to believe in what is deemed fit and acceptable.
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-26047.html
(though it appears links to The New Anatolian suddenly no longer properly function, but never mind)

I wonder with whom Blair, a beacon of the Catholic faith, best empathises with? Erdogan or Ataturk? One suspects neither the Pope, Bush, Ahmadinejad or any other party inclined toward organised religion will ever entertain Ataturk's principles. I suspect I am in a minority in today's religious world and Ataturk's visionary principles will be eventually over ridden by the church. This makes me sad. What not ask Turkish speaking President Musharraf, what he thinks of Ataturk? I suspect if Musharraf were to relinquish power in Pakistan, the democratic door will open to theologically influenced doctrine. Democracy can elect limited minds to the top if an electoral majority is kept in hope and ignorance. As Churchill stated: "Democracy is the worst system devised by the wit of man, except for all the others."
'All the others' must surely include constitutions based on religious theology.

The New Anatolian reported on the "Sea of red flags" at a rally on Sunday 29 April.
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-25952.html
(though it appears links to The New Anatolian suddenly no longer properly function, but never mind, try this one
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/29/europe/EU-GEN-Turkey-Demonstration.php )
Here are some example quotes from the article:

"In a country like Turkey, which is not fully a democracy, the role of the army is a little different," said Haydar Kilic, a 50-year-old civil engineer. "The army here likes democracy, we know that."

Mehmet Gunes, 39, came with his wife, who wore a headscarf, and his two young children. "We support what the army said. It's a warning," he said. "My wife wears a headscarf - we're not against that. We came here to stand up for a secular, enlightened Turkey. Our children's future is important."

Many also said the crowd came to show that the ruling party, which came to power with around 30 percent of the vote but holds more than 60 percent of the seats in parliament, did not have a mandate to do as it pleased. "The government have to hear us, because we are the majority of the country. We are 70 percent," said Emine Hacioglu, 35.

"We don't want a covered woman in Ataturk's presidential palace," said Ayse Bari, a 67-year-old housewife. "We want civilized, modern people there."

I urge readers to appreciate the Turks have faced tremendous changes and challenges over the years and continue to do so. I understand there is a religious community in disagreement with me, but here are a few quotes from Ataturk which outline the principles set down in Turkey and with which this Englishman can relate:

"Freedom consists of man's ability to do what he thinks and desires without any influence or intervention by others. This is the broadest definition of the concept. Mankind has never attained liberty to this extent and never will because as is known, men are creations of nature and nature itself is not absolutely free either; it is subject to universal laws." c.1930

"Religion is an issue of conscience. Everyone is free to conform to the commands of their conscience. We show respect for religion. We are not against a way of thinking or thoughts. We are only trying to not to mix religious affairs with the affairs of the nation and the state. We are avoiding reactionary actions that are based on evil intent and deeds." c.1926

"Every individual has the rights and freedoms to think what he wants, to believe what he wants, to possess a political opinion that is unique to himself and to undertake or not undertake the requirements of the religion he has chosen. No one's ideas or conscience can be dominated." c.1925

"Our religion is the most reasonable and natural of all, and that is the reason why it is the most recently established religion. For a religion to be natural it must conform to reason, science, technology and logic. Our religion fully conforms to all of these." c.1923

I conclude with two beautiful messages from Turkey:
Rumi Mevlani: Come, come, whoever you are, however you are, just come!
Ataturk: Peace at home, peace in the world!

Does anyone outside of Turkey give a fig? They should!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 30 April May 2007

Woof! Woof! Meow!

2007-04-17T11:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 April 2007

It is looking increasingly likely that Mr. Tayip Erdoğan will be Turkey's next president. This is the man who has aligned politics with religious belief whether he likes to admit it or not. He declares a support for freedom of expression, yet becomes upset over cartoons about him and takes artists to court to order them to pay for their freedom of expression.
See The PM's Least Favourite Cartoonist and http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson03312005.html
So, here is NPP's version of that "offensive" sketch: the cat cartoon.......
The question now is should NPP take NPP to court for this disgraceful impression of artist Ned Pamphilon who has insulted himself with this self portrait?

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 April 2007

A Mountain From A Molehill

2007-01-20T09:11:00.000+02:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 19 January 2007

It seems we have another media mountain from created from molehill. This time it is the UK's Channel 4 TV programme Big Brother and accusations of racism directed by caucasian house guests toward an Indian Bollywood film star. On BBC Radio 4 this morning we hear MP's weighing into the debate appalled by the insulting and shameful behaviour and asking how much longer Big brother can be allowed to continue the broadcast of this on going live show? You can read here to get a flavour of the issues: BBC website.

NPP cannot help feel such programmes can be a catalyst for debate broaching subject matter that may sit uncomfortably below society's skin. At least this programme generates a discussion that may be useful and necessary without resorting to war. Generally the MP's and the moral public voices over react while the ignorant and ridiculous behaviour of our fellow national citizens demonstrate how ill educated and uninformed some are. Education. Education. Education.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 19 January 2007

Pope Signs In With Peace At Home Quote

2006-12-03T21:11:00.000+02:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 03 December 2006

Tuesday 28 November, the Pope arrived in Turkey. Following his meeting with PM Erdoğan at Ankara's Esenboğa airport, Pope Benedict's first stop in Turkey was the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Pope prayed after laying a wreath. While writing a message in a guest book at Anıtkabir, in line with protocol, the Pope chose to quote Atatürk:
"In this land, a meeting point of different religions and cultures and a bridge between Asia and Europe, I gladly make my own the words of the founder of the Turkish Republic: "Peace at home, peace in the world!"

He later went to see Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeus and together they reportedly made a statement warning against secularism. Religion and politics - it's a funny old game.

Tony Blair has called for religious leaders to sanction the use of condoms especially within communities battling the AIDS epidemic. Some religious leaders have called for politicians to stop meddling in religion. However, religious leaders do seem to vent opinions on political matters, such as whetehr Turkey should join the EU. It's a funy old game.

In addition, I'm sure I've heard mention in the media of the debate between evolutionism and creationism, bubbling under the surface in such countries as USA, the UK and Turkey.

Good luck everyone - peace at home, peace in the world!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 03 December 2006

Pride And Prejudice And Niggas

2006-11-13T21:11:00.000+02:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 13 November 2006

Letter to Eddie Mair, BBC Radio 4, The PM show

Dear Eddie,

Re: the controversy around the the new play Pride and Prejudice and Niggas:
We're having a smal editorial
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2006/11/
were_having_a_small_editorial.shtml
http://www.24dash.com/communities/13036.htm

One thinks of the rhyme "Sticks and stones may break my bones etc".......it's just a word. Of course, our current social mind set finds many reasons to conclude there is offence in many words. One of the latest paintings by NPP is called The Rude Word Painting, you can view it at:
http://npplatestpainting.blogspot.com/2006/09/rude-word-painting.html
It's not finished yet, but is an interesting exercise painting the rudest English words for a non-English speaking country. As written at the bottom of the painting: If you can't read English, you may like the colours - it's a colourful language.

15 or more years ago our resident NPP artist was emplyed as a DJ at The Marquee Club in Soho and he recalls a record from US musical group Niggers With Attitude titled Straight Outta Compton. They abreviated their name to NWA and so one solution might be to abreviate Pride and Prejudice and Niggas to PPN. Back then, even among liberal music business circles, there was much debate among critics for and against the group's name and their musical artform. Apparently we're still debating the same issues. There must be a company willing to sponsor the play's posters since it's been mentioned on BBC Radio 4's PM programme and few plays get that kind of start.
The BBC and the UK continue to allow public debate on sensitive issues. This latest episode is on a par with the ridiculous remarks recently made by the BNP. I don't require censorship to judge what is and is not appropriate for my own consumption. I know NPP (Ned Pamphilon Productions) have often undertaken painting projects with children and they are apparently far more pragmatic about rude words than many adults. Let's all remain free to educate and make up our own minds.

Peace @ Home, Peace in the World!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 13 November 2006

Turkiye 10 November 2006

2006-11-12T21:11:00.000+02:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 October 2006

Islam is a wicked, vicious faith and illiberal atheists are undermining Britain's religious heritage. These sentiments were expressed by BNP leader Nick Griffin and Dr John Sentamu, The Archbishop of York as reported within the British media this past week:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6137722.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6138486.stm

So what? Let them say what ever they want! This is part and parcel of the package called freedom of speech. An individuals faith is an individuals business. Allah is never going to be concerned by such none sense opinion anymore than God is going to lose sleep over atheists. As Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst system devised by the wit of man, except for all the others.”

Human beings can be wicked and vicious, not religion. However, British Home Secretary John Reid, Gordon Brown and the Lord Falconer are now considering whether race hate laws should be revised after a jury decided speeches by Mr Griffin and party activist Mark Collett in 2004 had not incited racial hatred.

Lib Dem MP Evan Harris said tighter laws could create "extremist martyrs" and argued there were "enough laws to deal with speech which actually incites to violence or other criminal offences, or which uses threatening language."
He added, "There must be room in a free society to allow even offensive criticism of religions and their followers."

It is surely the individuals right to decide for themselves and restricting these, however nonsensical opinions, will merely serve to drive negatives under ground where they may manifest into far less publicly manageable issues. We must keep public debate public for all our sakes. If you like, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Mind you, there is also the entertainment factor - these opinions can be so ridiculous they are, indeed, laughable!

In the same week international British musician Sir Elton John has called for all organised religion to be banned; that it lacks compassion and turns people into "hateful lemmings."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6140710.stm

10 November marked the 68th anniversary of the death of Kemal Mustafa Atatürk, a solider and statesman who addressed the issue of religion and state government over half a century ago. Even Churchill, who experienced among his darkest hours at Galipolli as Ataturk defeated the Allied Forces attempt to divide the Turkish nation:
"Atatürk's death is not only a loss for the country, but for Europe is the greatest loss, he who saved Turkey in the war and who revived a new the Turkish nation after the war. The sincere tears shed after him by all classes of people is nothing other than an appropriate manifestation to this great hero and modern Turkey's Ata."

The religiously inclined Turkish government appear to side line Atatürk while the wider world remains largely oblivious to him ever existing. He laid out a set of values and principles that remain relevant to the global issues of 2006. The Turkish Daily News published a brief summary of his legacy: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=58744

After a not guilty verdict for Mr Griffin, he said: "What has just happened shows Tony Blair and the government toadies at the BBC that they can take our taxes but they cannot take our hearts, they cannot take our tongues and they cannot take our freedom."

Perhaps Mr. Griffin, but if you came to power I wonder how much freedom we would then be left with?

While The Archbishop of York calls for Christians to be more politically active to ensure their principles are not purged from society. Well Archbishop, your organisation certainly has centuries of experience in the art of purging. Why do so many "religious" people feel God is so powerless that that human agents are required to maintain the required moral discipline on earth? Earlier this week Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Catholic leader Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor launched a joint attack on what they called intolerant public atheism. In their foreword to Doing God: A Future for Faith in the Public Square, a report by new religious think tank Theos, they argued against limiting religion to the private sphere. They said campaigners against religion in public life had an "intolerant faith position."

The mind boggles! No wonder the military are time and again voted the most trusted organisation in Turkiye according the Turkish people. Will the EU ever understand the dynamics of Turkiye? Today it looks unlikely.

The speeches by BNP respresentatives were secretly filmed in a BBC documentary, The Secret Agent, broadcast a year earlier. In a statement, the BBC said its job was to bring matters of public interest to general attention. "In this case the matters raised in The Secret Agent were seen by a large section of the public and caused widespread concern," it read.

Perhaps Rupert Murdoch and Ahmet Ertegun could take a leaf from the BBC's book as they restructure Turkish channel TGRT. They are already creating a Woman's Channel, most apt for a nation where Atatürk gave women the right to vote before most EU nations. Perhaps a BBC type model could be considered as a welcome addition for public debate with the Republic of Turkiye.
Just a thought and in the meantime, here's raising a toast to you Atatürk Türkiye? Türkiyeah!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 October 2006

Oh Those Frenchies

2006-10-12T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 October 2006

There are troubles afoot again for Turkey in the French camp. Lawmakers in the French National Assembly are to debate a bill set to make it a criminal offence to deny the alleged genocide of Armenians. The implication is that an EU member could be imprisoned for expressing their viewpoint. If Turkey is to be condemned for genocide, what about the British, the Americans, the Chinese and numerous other cases? Where do we stop?

At least WEMW can try to inform you what happened to the Ottoman Armenians :
http://armenians-1915.blogspot.com/2006/10/1117-what-happened-to-ottoman.html

Here's a link to the Wikipedia :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 October 2006

The New Mid-East Map

2006-09-29T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 29 September 2006

The New Anatolian printed a US colonel's vision for a "new" Mideast map which includes Turkey relinquishing eastern territory to "Kurdistan".
See the article :
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-15493.html
plus see the map :
http://ampin.wordpress.com/2006/09/17/news-new-map-of-middle-east/

It would mean Mount Agrı (Ararat) would no longer be within Turkish borders. When Atatürk founded the Turkish Republic, he did so declaring "no more, no less" with regards to Turkish land territory.

The contoversial map was first published by former US Army official Ralph Peters in the unofficial Armed Forces magazine

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 29 September 2006

Religion In Turkish Politics

2006-09-24T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 24 September 2006

These articles in the Turkish Daily News present a basic outline of the relationship between religious sects and politics in Turkey :
Relations between religious orders and big politics
Spiritual path to money, politics and worldly power

It perhaps illustrates why the concept of secular Turkey is questionable and the prospect of Turkey joining the EU is far from a done deal.

In addition to that, the same newspaper runs the following story from Australia :
Costello’s praise of Atatürk sparks Australian Muslims reaction

Indeed, Ataturk's secular legacy is under threat from the left, right and centre. In fact, it seems foreigners are often more open to praise the principles of Ataturk than Turks.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 24 September 2006

The Pope's Own Life Of Brian

2006-09-17T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 September 2006

Back in 1979's British comedy team Monty Python produced the film Life of Brian. It caused an uproar among conservative religious communities who interpreted it as an afront to Jesus Christ. Now the Pope has inadvertently upset Muslims throughout the world with an academic speech given at his old university.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, joining a global chorus of Muslim protest, said Pope Benedict should withdraw the "ugly" comments he made about Islam ( see The Turkish Daily News ). Over recent days we have seen familiar scenes on our TV screens of angry mobs burning effigies and shouting down the Pope in the oh so unenlightened manner to which we have come accustomed. Sometimes, one suspects any excuse to burn and shout is welcome.

The offending quote by Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus was "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Here you can read it all and make up your own mind - find key excerpts from the speech and the Pope's speech in full.

Emperor Manuel II was based in Hagia Sofya when Constantinople was then the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The irony is Atatürk and Turkey addressed these fundamental constitutional concerns decades before. Indeed, in 1935 Atatürk declared Hagia Sofya a museum and flagstone symbol of Turkey's new secular constitution. As US actor Sean Penn pointed out this week on CNN's Larry King Live, today's constitutional dilemmas are so often centred around the separation of church and state.

Again, WEMW asks why PM Erdoğan does not utilise the legacy of Atatürk to lead his Muslim nation in an intelligent way forward regarding religion and state politics? After all, it was Atatürk's secular republic that enabled a simit seller from Istanbul's Kasımpaşa district to become the Prime Minister of the country; an unlikely event under the previous religious Ottoman Caliphate regime. I guess PM Erdoğan sees things a little differently and prefers the route of aligning minarets with bayonets. Oh dear, what a pity it all is.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 September 2006

Secular Versus Theocratic Turkey

2006-08-28T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 28 August 2006

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published this article by Soner Çağaptay :
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC06.php?CID=965
It prompted the following response from Yusuf Kanlı, the editor of the Turkish Daily News :
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=52294

This was followed by a Letter to the Editor, Turkish Daily News 27 August 2006 from Mr. Egemen Bağış, member of Turkish Parliament and foreign policy adviser to the Prime Minister :
Criticism of Turkey is inconsistent, off the mark.

Soner Çağaptay (in his article "Islamists in charge", published in the Wall Street Journal on Aug.18 which referred to in the TDN on Aug. 25) seems to be on a spell where outrageous allegations are a writer's last hope for fame.

We are the same Justice and Development Party (AKP) about which he testified on May 11, 2005, before the U.S. House Committee on International Relations: "Since the AKP's rise to power in November 2002, most analysts have been wondering whether the government formed by a party with an Islamist pedigree would erode the two qualities that make Turkey unique, namely the country's democratic and secular regime. We have found that Turkish democracy and secularism are both very strong."

Furthermore, the people of Turkey are the same secular and Western-minded people about whom he clearly wrote for Bitterlemons-International.org on Nov.4, 2004: "Europe needs Turkey precisely for these reasons. With its young, secular-minded population, the Turkish democracy offers a solution to Europe's twin dilemmas, an aging population and a restless immigrant community of mostly Arab, radical Muslims whose numbers are growing exponentially. For its own sake, the EU needs to bring Ankara into the union."

Amid the recent escalation in the Middle East, where radicalism has cheerfully recruited new millions, Turkey and the AKP still shine as a bastion of moderation, progress and prosperity. Nowadays Turkey's secular republican democracy and its democratically elected AKP should be appreciated around the clock. Turkey is always a friend of its friends, and is still on the path of the European Union membership. Despite all the noise, we are determined to ensure the harmony of civilizations against the ever heightened risk of the clash of civilizations.

The Middle east and Eurasia have one model: a revolutionary Islamic republic and parties like Hezbollah. The alternative model is Turkey and its AKP. The choice has never been this stark.

Egemen Bağış, a member of Turkish Parliament and foreign policy adviser to the Prime Minister.

At WEMW we ask ourselves why Mr. Bağış appears to turn to insult by suggesting "outrageous allegations are a writer's last hope for fame"? Mr. Bağış, turn the other cheek my dear chap! Surely, being only friendly to your friends is not the most diplomatic path to take; try offering an olive branch to your critics. Perhaps Mr. Çağaptay has merely changed his mind about the AKP. Does it warrant such a defensive reaction?

At WEMW we also ask ourselves, does this mean Mr. Bağış and PM Ergoğan are publicly denouncing Hezbollah on behalf of the AKP? Does the AKP have to compare itself to "terrorist" listed Hezbollah in order to present the AKP's relative moderate stance?

It seems quite obvious that Turkish society is becoming more religiously conservative, one only has to walk in the streets of Istanbul to observe there are more headscarves than 5-10 years ago. The world seems to be caught between secular and theocratic constitutions, whether Iranian or American. Unfortunately for Turkey, Ataturk's secular notions probably go against the grain of both the Islamic and Christine doctrines of Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, George W. Bush and the Pope.

Why is Atatürk currently consistently over looked by the current Turkish government, particualarly with regard to the on going EU negotiations? Churchill is presented as part of British national history regardless of whether he was a perfect character or not. It is not desirable to see any leader made into an iconic myth whether Atatürk or the Queen, but these are characters of our history and the AKP does appear to side-line Atatürk, presumeably to appease their theoctatic power base and financial support. Is the AKP's power based on a lack of political opposition or genuine popular majority support? Time will tell.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 28 August 2006

NPP Used For New Yesim Salkim Video

2006-08-12T21:11:00.001+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 August 2006

NPP were asked to supply a painting for inclusion within Turkish singer Yeşim Salkım's new music video. The chosen painting was Turkish Figures I as shown here.......

We wish Ms. Salkım best wishes and invite you to explore her further via : http://www.yesimsalkim.com.tr/
Of course they were going to send NPP a copy of the video - we are still waiting!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 August 2006

Istanbul Theatre Festival Use Rainbow Image

2006-08-07T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 August 2006

There is an Istanbul Theatre Festival running Aug 06-16 2006, apparently organised by Istanbul City Theatre's Director Nurullah Tuncer and another chap named Mehmet Acarca.

I found an article at : http://www.dionys.org/dionys/eng/home.nsf/index.htm and was surprised to find the use of the 6 colour "gay" rainbow flag imagery. The symbol of peace is normally considered to be the 7 colours of rainbow. NPP have been proposing the Rainbow Bridge peace project to the Turkish authorities http://npprainbowbridge.blogspot.com/ but were informed by an adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister the Rainbow Bridge project will never be realised under this AKP government primarily because of the controversial symbolic association with "gay San Francisco" imagery. Therefore, we are interested to see the theatre festival using the theme of peace with the rainbow colours regardless of whether there are 6 or 7 colours.

Mr. Tuncer and or Mr. Acarca, please contact NPP. We would welcome your future collaborative support for both our projects.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 August 2006

Freedom - Exactly What Is It?

2006-07-29T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 29 July 2006

Writer Perihan Mağden has recently been acquitted of "trying to deter Turkish citizens from military service". She had written an article defending the right of concientious objectors against mandatory military service. A judge concluded her not guilty of a crime against the state since her words could only be characterised as "harsh criticism."

Currently best selling Turkish author Elif Şafak is also facing legal action for "insulting Turkishness" with her novel Bab ve Piç (Father and Bastard). She faces up to 3 years in prison under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. She will probably be found not guilty because the EU would view such a charge as incompatible with EU membership. However, it again illustrates the mind set prevailing in Turkey, though one must be aware the complaint is being sought by ultra-nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerinçsiz. The same lawyer is charging novelist Orhan Pamuk of a crime against the state. Pamuk is said to have accused the Turkish nation of genocide following an interview with a Swiss newspaper last year in which he is quoted as saying "30,000 Kurds and 1,000,000 Armenians were killed on these lands and nobody but me dares talk about it."

It does seem apparent that many died on Turkish soil around the time of the 1st World War, but it also seems apparent that Armenia has been successful in lobbying her claims and accusations against Turkey while the Turks are yet again left lagging behind in the the tactical field of public relations. Turkey denies state involvement of an organised genocide but admits large numbers of Armenians died of starvation and disease during the period in question.

On top of this your WEMW correspondent also noticed this week that in the eastern Turkish province of Van, the local district municipality has implemented segregated swimming and picnic areas around Lake Van for women. This is the home region of Education Minister Hüseyin Çelik who is pro-imam hatip religious schooling. Apparently 7m high barriers were erected at the request of several women seeking a private and segregated area. Van is known as a particularly conservative province with alleged fundamentalist Islamic orders enjoying the support of a local public majority. Of course, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan is an ex-imam hatip student and also supports the reintroduction of Islamic religious teaching within schools. Atatürk established a secular system seperating state education and politics from religion. What Atatürk would make of today's events one can only imagine and how traditional conservative Turkey can be incorporated into the EU's policy of democratic freedom of expression one can only ponder, wait and see; and I haven't even mentioned the matter of honour killings yet - the mind boggles!

Is the AKP government's only interest in EU membership the implication that it will reduce the power of the military and, therefore, lesson the strength of the secular constitution's guarantors? Nah, that's just conspiracy theory none sense - isn't it?! Indeed, is one man's freedom of expression another's fear?

Among the most significant developments in Turkey this week, may well be the acquisition of TV channel TGRT by News International boss Rupert Murdoch and Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ergegun. Mr. Ertegun once contacted NPP to lend congratulations for Ned Pamphilon's paintings, so we at WEMW keenly watch and await further developments in this part of the modern world.

PM's Least Favourite Cartoonist Awarded

2006-07-17T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 July 2006

PM's least favourite cartoonist gets Freedom of Press Award. PM Erdoğan had previously sued cartoonist Musa Kart for this image.......

Penguen Magazine subsequently published a front page cover featuring 8 animal caricatures of the PM in support of the original cartoonist. You could read the background at http://www.fecoweb.org/News/07-4-05Turkish%20cartoon%20lawsuit.html but this link seems to have disappeared. So try http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson03312005.html instead.
Will the PM ever learn to be tolerant or at least intelligent enough to realise that legal action and attempts to censor expression merely creates a greater spotlight for the "offending" images? After all, this PM should be acutely aware of the need for freedom of expression since he was imprisoned for publicly reciting an Islamic poem including the lines:
"The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers..."

.......more love, peace and understanding from religious commentators eh!

Back in 1984 British pop group Frankie Goes To Hollywood received invaluable media attention when their single Relax was banned by the BBC for indecent lyrical suggestion. Of course Relax went onto become a No:1 hit for weeks.

Now it is the duty of WEMW to publish the cartoons of the PM so the public can better appreciate the mentality of the PM, his advisers and the prevailing attitude of authorities in Turkey.

While discussing the recent Prophet Mohammad cartoon controversy, a Muslim Turk and close associate of NPP commented that we in the West never produced cartoons about Jesus. Of course, we laughed because Jesus and the Bible have been the brunt end of endless jokes. One need only point to Monty Python's The Life of Brian as an example of the West coming to terms with satirical humour about spiritual belief.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 17 July 2006

Protest Against Mayor Gokcek Using Ataturk

2006-07-12T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 July 2006

We awoke yesterday to the story of a staue of Atatürk being removed from the Kızılay district in the Turkish capital Ankara. Apparently, architect-sculptor Ragip Çeçen wanted to publicly demonstrate against Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek for alleged failure to pay outstanding fees for work done. Aided by 6 frineds, the architect installed a 2.5m high statue of Atatürk at dawn while the attention of the police was focussed on a seperate demonstartion in another part of the town. The statue had to be removed by the Ankara Municipality using a crane. The sculpture depicted Atatürk pointing a finger and would be seen as a symbolic gesture pointing to the mayor's lack of commitment to the principles of Atatürk; Mayor Göçek is a member of the AKP government, an administration widely assumed to be less than enamoured with the legacy of Atatürk.
The next day we wake to find media debate over how appropriate is to use the image of Atatürk for personal demonstration and there is a photo of Mayor Gökçek describing the act of misusing Atatürk as ugly.
In addition to this bizarre story, the daily headlines report that AKP deputy Mr. Eyüp Ayar has been ordered to pay a fine of 5,000TL (approx. $3,200) for insulting Erkan Mumcu, leader of opposition party The Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), one of the opposition parties. The offending words were "You sly dog you" during a parlimentary debate. Also, Sabah newspaper have been fined 10,000TL for publicly humiliating Denis Baykal (Republican People's Party) by accusing him of hiding his financial assets. One really wonders if these politicians don't have anything better to do?

No wonder the most part of 70 million people continue to struggle on while the politicians debate their personal attributes and keep lawyers in fees.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 12 July 2006

Rock Against Everything for Peace

2006-07-10T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 10 July 2006

Representatives of NPP visited the Barışarock-Rock for peace HQ in Istanbul last week to offer the inclusion of the Rainbow Bridge peace concept with their festival. NPP had spotted an article in The New Anatolian newspaper featuring the rainbow colours and aligning them with peace.
The article said the festival was sponsored by Coca-Cola which surprised NPP since it had been assumed Barışarock had been initiated as an antithesis to such corporate brands as Coca-Cola. Indeed, it seems there must have been a misunderstanding or misprint in the newspaper because Barışarock representatives denied any association with Coca-Cola and even reject any offer of sponsorship from Coca-Cola or any other corporate party.

Further more, they are against using the national slogan Peace at Home, Peace in the World because Ataturk was a soldier of war and they associate the national 'peace' slogan with nationalism and nationalist parties in Turkey.

NPP came away from the meeting concluding how confused a country Turkey is. Surely the concept of peace must invlove embracement, tolerance and compromise; not be anti-everything. Unfortunately, peace means different things to different people and as the years have passed, NPP has been forced to realise how naive and unrealistic the concept of Rainbow Bridge is.

Barışarock did offer NPP to promote the Rainbow Bridge concept at the festival, but the over whelming feeling of anti-establishment and aligning Ataturk with negative right-ring nationalism left a depressing, sad and uncomfortable taste in the mouth.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 10 July 2006

Turkey, Food Production & The EU

2006-07-07T21:11:00.000+03:00

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 July 2006

In Turkey, 45% of the country is involved in the agricultural sector, but according to EU regulations this must be reduced to 15%. How is that going to happen and doesn't it seem ridiculous?

Currently, the Turkish Prime Minister is having trouble with the hazelnut producers. One of his closest advisers, Cüneyd Zapsu, has business interests in hazelnut processing. In the late 1980s, he became the chairman of the Association of Hazelnut Exporters. As he further expanded his own business, Zapsu also became the chairman of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, which brings together representatives of hazelnut producers from some 50 countries. Subsequently, accusations of personal interest over and above the national and public interest have been publicly voiced, see: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=51467

This may lead us to the wider subject matter of food production and abstract questions such as how do companies like Coke and Red Bull make so much money from American coloured sugar water and sugared caffine overdose? Because the public apparently want it, buy it and that's democracy.

Nuts innit?! But, nothing we can do but publish a blog! Nuts oh hazelnuts - Cadbury's take them and then cover them chocolate!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 07 July 2006

Same Old Rhetoric & Faces In Turkey

2006-06-29T11:11:00.000+03:00

An open letter to
Mr. Kanli Yusuf
Editor
Turkish Daily News

Dear Sir,

having just glanced through http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr we read the following:

"Early elections would bring relief." Mehmet Agar, Leader DYP

Isn't it blatantly obvious the next election will merely give the AKP another mandate to govern Turkey? Unless there is something going on the public is not privy to (of course someone somewhere always has a hidden agenda), there appears to be no substantial opposition in Turkish politics, just as there has been no substantial opposition in British politics for the last 10 years.
Why do politicians insist on nonsensical rhetoric? Why does the media insist on publishing it? Why does the public continue to swallow it?
Because, that's what politicians do, that's what the media does and the public tends to eventually consume whatever it is given.

It seems the same old faces run Turkish politics and Turkish football (it's important, 1/6 of the world watching the World Cup this month) and incredibly, there are even more of the same old faces waiting to come around yet again.

And then we read:

"Nobody has the right to attack religious and cultural values of societies. All freedoms have a limit. You cannot have unlimited freedoms, there has never been unlimited freedom of expression in history"
This is a quote from Turkish Prime Minister Tayiip Erdogan in an address to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as reported by The Turkish Daily News.

Surely, this matter was addressed by Turkey's founding father years ago when he stated:

"Freedom consists of man's ability to do what he thinks and desires without any influence or intervention by others. This is the broadest definition of the concept. Mankind has never attained liberty to this extent and never will because as is known, men are creations of nature and nature itself is not absolutely free either; it is subject to universal laws."
Ataturk c.1930

Maybe it's just the humid weather, but I am so bored, so incredibly bored with the same old mind set, same old games, same old rhetoric. I don't suppose it will change in the short term and why does one even bother to voice another little drop in the vast ocean of opinions? Then again, I don't suppose my opinion is any less ridiculous than those we read today.

I can only ask, please, the public of the Turkish Republic, think about who you are supporting and who you will next vote for to run your country. I know, I may be having a proverbial wee wee in the proverbial wind, but I can still hope; can't I?

Good luck Turkiye! From what we read, you need it.

Best wishes, Arther C. Withernee
Correspondent for NPP

English Artist Risks Trial

2006-06-14T11:11:00.000+03:00

This article is about an English artist depicting Prime Minister Erdogan as a dog. It is copied and pasted directly from The Turkish Daily News. Thank goodness no has drawn Erdogan with his underpants outside his trousers as they did with British PM Major or with Mrs. Thatcher's testicles!
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=46144
Turkish prosecutors are investigating an English artist for exhibiting a collage that depicts Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a dog receiving a prize in a pet show from U.S. President George W. Bush.
Michael Dickinson, a long-time resident of Istanbul, displayed the collage in March without permission from the organizers of an Istanbul show dedicated to peace along with other 'authorized' works themed mostly on Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and opposition to the war in Iraq.
"It came to me in a flash. I thought, 'Damn the consequences, I must put that picture up'," Dickinson told Agence France-Presse.
After the curator of the exhibit was charged with "insulting the dignity of the prime minister," Dickinson wrote to the court claiming responsibility and is now himself being investigated on the same charges.
If indicted, he will stand trial and risk one to three years in jail. The British art movement Stuckism, to which Dickinson belongs, condemned the probe as an "intolerable" repression of freedom of expression in a country seeking to join the European Union. It also wrote to Blair, asking him to put pressure on the Turkish authorities to drop the case. Last year, Erdogan sued a newspaper for publishing a cartoon depicting him as a cat. He later sued a humour magazine that protested against the lawsuit by running a cover depicting the prime minister as a variety of animals. The lawsuits prompted critics to question Erdogan's declared commitment to freedom of expression.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 14 June 2006

The Image Of Modern Turkey

2006-06-01T11:11:00.000+03:00

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silva are in Turkey for a week. It’s the first visit by a Swedish monarch in over 70 years. In 1934 , the King's Grandfather, Crown Prince Adolf VI Gustaf visited and met with Ataturk.

Queen Silva was received at a lunch hosted by Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc’s wife Munevver and attended by the PM’s wife Emine Erdogan and the Foreign Minister’s wife Hayrunnisa Gul as well as the wives of other ministers and deputies.

The photo caption in the The New Anatolian was:
“Headscarved welcome for Swedish Queen Silva.”
So, from Ataturk's vision back in 1923, this is the image of the modern Turkish Republic in 2006.

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 01 June 2006

We Love Sofi

2006-05-31T11:11:00.000+03:00

Hagia Sofya should be a mosque again?

Oh Turkey, but I guess it's the same for many nations where political wrangling upsets the market place while the everyday bod in the street gets by one way or another. Why should anyone be surprised? This is where East meets West; where cultures mix, clash and collaborate. This is a country where secular principles were laid down to help manage those clashes and collaborations; not easy within today's level of the world human psyche.
This is a country where a political party is free to declare a proposal that Hagia Sofya be returned to the status of a working mosque; whose cultural capital Istanbul is still called Constantinople by Greeks. No doubt there may be deep lingering feelings of many kinds in Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Bulgaria. That's 7 countries bordering Turkiye, let alone the EU, the USA, Asia and beyond. No wonder Turkey so often gets a bad press. And there is Ataturk, the man who tried to seperate religion from politics. Do either the USA or Iran want that?

Well, at least in Istanbul, this yabanci (foreigner) feels free to believe in whatever he chooses.

I have an artist friend of whom I never know if he'll be miserable or elated or calm. But, he's usually good for a passing quote on life, love and the above:

"Paintin's like football - you gotta score! Score a goal like scoring a sale at the right price. That keeps all the punters happy and allows my business to be creative. When we're creative, people get employed and paid. All the punters like a good score.
Whatever I feel about the creative process, it is like religion - it's my business! Not yours, not the next door neighbour's, not the Pope's nor Bush, Blair, Godfathers, Bishops, Imans, Vicars nor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran or Castro in Cuba. If I have profound spiritual experiences or if I feel nothing at all - it's my business! The secular constitution alows me at least that freedom - it leaves your personal business as your own and private business. "

Snowy Sofi 1995

It is interesting to note that the man calling for Hagia Sofya to be returned to mosque status was former Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan. He was recently found guilty of embezzling state funds and sentenced to prison. A recent proposal has been voiced within Turkish political circles to abolish the immunity of members of parliament with regard to corruption, yet the proposal has been either sidelined or denied by the current ruling body. The current government changed the law to allow Erbakan to serve his prison sentence at home; old age and ill health cited as the justifications. The former PM was healthy enough and at liberty to give a public speech over the past weekend. During the 1990’s when Erbakan came to power, he also generated debate regarding the building of a mosque in Taksim Square. This proposal was also supported by current PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan while he was Mayor of Istanbul.

We love Hagia Sofya at WEMW; or Sofi, as NPP refer to her. If the Muslim makes her a mosque, then maybe the Christian will consider reclaiming her for Byzantine times gone by and where will it all stop? Surely a museum has been an excellent solution where all races and religions can visit and marvel at one of the wonders of the world.

Sofi? She's beautiful just as she is!

Arther C. Withernee, Correspondent for WEMW
Report 31 May 2006