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Cyprus faces organised robbery as EU leaders seek economic and political control
By George Venizelos The Eurogroup’s decision to proceed to a haircut on Cypriot savings accounts has caused mass discontent amongst the people of Cyprus and beyond. The decision of 15th March left the Cypriots shocked, angry, betrayed and swindled, after seeing their own savings sacrificed to save the banking sector. Over the past two weeks, Cyprus […]
A short message in solidarity with ERT
By George Venizelos The recent developments in relation to the closure of the Greek public broadcast, ERT, have almost ruined whatever the Greek government tried to save the past year regarding its image. The coalition government (three parties; New Democracy, PASOK, Democratic Left) which hardly holds the majority within the parliament – and has just […]
Greek Public Television: Hypocrisy and Truth
By Justine Frangouli-Argyris Abruptly last Tuesday, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras pulled the plug on Greece’s national broadcaster, causing shock and turmoil among its coalition partners. However, the Council of State ruled yesterday that the public airwaves could not be left devoid of a public network, even temporarily, thereby rescinding the decree and reinstating ERT […]
AJC: Erdogan, Turkish Media Dangerously Allege Jewish Conspiracy in Istanbul Protests
American Jewish Committee is deeply dismayed by the comments of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and others in Turkey suggesting that Jews are behind the protests in Istanbul’s Taksim Square. “Incendiary words have consequences,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris, who urged Turkey’s political leadership and media to end the fictitious conspiracy theories.
Statement attributable to the UN Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the situation in Turkey
The Secretary-General continues to closely follow developments in Turkey. He remains concerned about ongoing clashes between protesters and security personnel. He is saddened by the deaths and injuries that have occurred. The Secretary-General urges maximum restraint and the pursuit of constructive dialogue in order to resolve differences and avoid further violent confrontation. He believes that […]
Statement by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on the G-8 Leaders Summit
Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today at the conclusion of the Group of Eight (G-8) Leaders’ Summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland: “I would like to thank the G-8 leaders, including the host of this year’s summit, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, for inviting me […]
The Curse of Greek Public Sector Authoritarianism
By Justine Frangouli-Argyris It is Monday, June 10th, 10:45 a.m. at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens. After checking in for my Air Canada flight, I proceed to buy a little something for my son. The gift costs 150 euros and, as a non-resident of the European Union travelling to a non-EU destination, I am given […]
G-8 Leaders Statement on the Global Economy
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary – June 17, 2013 Following their discussion on the global economy this afternoon, G-8 leaders at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, have concluded: Promoting growth and jobs is our top priority. We agreed to nurture the global recovery by supporting demand, securing our public finances and exploiting all […]
Media freedom must be upheld during protests in Turkey, says OSCE media freedom representative
TUNIS, 17 June 2013 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, warned today that the recent detentions and intimidation of journalists are endangering the right to free expression in Turkey.
Turkey’s agony – how Erdogan turned a peaceful protest into a violent nightmare – The view from Taksim Square
By Claire Berlinski Istanbul.- By now, everyone has heard of the brutal suppression of protests all over Turkey, which began with a peaceful sit-in in Istanbul to protect a hapless apology for a park from demolition. Right by the city’s unofficial centre, Taksim Square, Gezi Park had been slated to become yet another one of […]