Suspect says sent money from Iran for Turkey bombs

[barbaraann]

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish man has admitted he received $50,000 from an Iranian source and sent it to Turkey to finance last month's suicide bomb attacks in Istanbul, a newspaper said on Saturday.

Adnan Ersoz, charged with attempting to change "the constitutional order by force of arms" on Friday, had confirmed that an international terrorist organization had given training and cash to members of a Turkish Islamist group, police said in a statement on Friday.

Police did not name the international organization. But a report in Hurriyet newspaper said he told interrogators he had breakfast with al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) and one of the Istanbul suicide bombers in Afghanistan (news - web sites) before September 11, 2001.
...

http://news.yahoo.com/?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=5&u=/nm/20031220/ts_nm/security_turkey_dc

Fasten those seat belts, America.

[loudnclear]

1. So, do we now invade Turkey? Is al-qaeda linked to every ME leader?

Somebody please explain.

[sistersofmercy]

2. I was in Turkey a few years ago, the society itself is secular

but there are Islamic extremist trying to shake up the system and force a presence there. I met a man on the plane who was from Ankara and he said things have been bad there for years because of the extremist. He now lives in Istanbul because of the continuing mess in Ankara. Apparently, the average Turkish person does not want an Islamic state and resents these extremist and their tactics. Also the Kurds have been involved in terrorist activities that have occured in Turkey.
The Turks are very western in their everyday lives, they wear jeans mostly, the women work and have the same educational opportunities as males. My friend's daughter is studying premed.
So if there is an al Qaeda link it has nothing to do with the government of Turkey.

[Orrin_73]

3. The extremists you point are a very

small minority. The real problem in Turkey is the extreme secularism, many young women were forced to open their veils. Last month a women was not allowed to testify in a criminal case because she wears a veil, in fact she was told to leave the building. This extreme secularism pushes more and more people into hating the current system.

deanforamerica.com
clark04.com
kucinich.us
sharpton2004.org

[sistersofmercy]

4. I honestly can't comment on the veil issue other than the fact that I saw

very few women wearing even the hajib(?) pardon my lack of recall at the moment. I think Turkey has an excellent opportunity for an increase in tourism and perhaps that is the reason for the rigor. I very much enjoyed my time there and found the people to be gracious. I had the wonderful experience of going out of the touristy areas and to an authentic Turkish restaurant which I enjoyed tremendously. Although, going to the ladies room presenced my Americn ignorance which I laugh hardily at myself about. I mistakenly thought the first stall I had entered was under repair. I can't wait to go back.

[NickB79]

5. Feathers everywhere!

Turkey bombs, watch out for the flying beak schrapnel! Sorry, I couldn't resist. That has got to be one of the worst titles I've read in the last week :-)

[barbaraann]

6. LOL Unfortunately I had to post the exact story headline,

but you are certainly right.

[Orrin_73]

7. LOL!!!

deanforamerica.com
clark04.com
kucinich.us
sharpton2004.org