Free Republic

One of Turkey’s largest-ever corruption investigations is underway. A public bank CEO, an Iranian businessman and the sons of the freshly resigned interior and economy ministers are among the 24 suspects arrested so far, pending trial. The Iranian businessman allegedly circumvented sanctions against Iran and sent millions of dollars to the country via Halkbank by bribing the CEO as well as the ministers through their sons. /// In a series of daily speeches after the operation began, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blasted the probe and the investigators. He branded the probe a “dirty operation” and the policemen in charge...

Cypriot FM Iacovou to visit Israel 15 May 2005Talks will be held on the subject of the peace process and other regional and international topics. (Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman) George Iacovou, Foreign Minister of Cyprus, will arrive in Israel tonight (Sunday, May 15) for an official visit (May 15-17) as the guest of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom. In addition to meeting with his Israeli counterpart, the visiting foreign minister will meet with President Moshe Katsav, Vice Premier Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Commerce Ehud Olmert, and opposition...