US sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles led to near unified messages of regret, defiance and condemnation from both government and opposition figures in Ankara on Tuesday.
The previous evening, Washington carried out a long-standing threat to impose penalties for Turkey's acquisition of the S-400 air defence system.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was the most senior government member to criticise the decision by US President Donald Trump after Congress had passed a bill demanding sanctions.
“This sanctions decision has shaken all the values in our countries’ alliance,” he told the state-run Anadolu news agency. “Obviously, sanctions on a Nato member country will not only undermine the spirit of alliance but will deeply undermine trust among allies.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said the sanctions would not alter Turkey’s determination to develop its indigenous defence capacity.
“Despite the narrow and hostile agenda of some circles in the US against Turkey, we believe that this issue can be resolved through political negotiations and technical expertise,” he said.
Turkey, a Nato member since 1952, bought the S-400s after claiming its efforts to buy American Patriot missiles were turned down. The Russian system arrived in July last year, prompting calls for sanctions to be imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, known as Caatsa.
Although Mr Trump held off on punitive measures, even after the missiles were tested in October, Turkey was expelled from the programme to build the F-35 stealth fighter, a next-generation aircraft it had supplied with parts.
Its order for more than 100 jets was also cancelled amid claims that the S-400’s radar could be used by Russia to counter the plane’s top-secret technology.
The US president, who leaves office next month, finally authorised sanctions that target Turkey’s Defence Industries’ Directorate (SSB), its chairman Ismail Demir and three other executives.
The sanctions were widely perceived as the lightest of options of the dozen available to Mr Trump.
The move elicited a rare joint statement from four political parties – Mr Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), its coalition ally the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) as well as the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Iyi Party.
“This misstep by the United States is incompatible with the spirit of allegiance,” Acting Parliamentary Speaker Celal Adan said as he read the statement.
“It is clear that it will not benefit our relations, which should be taken forward on the basis of mutual respect. Turkey is a country that does its part to contribute to peace and stability in its foreign policy.”
He added: “This attitude is contrary to Nato’s spirit of alliance. For these reasons, we invite the United States to turn back from this grave mistake as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, CHP MP Unal Cevikoz, denounced the sanctions as an attack on a “sovereign decision” taken by Turkey to strengthen Nato’s defences.
He called for the $2.5 billion system to be activated “as soon as possible,” adding: “Instead of taking this sanctions decision, it would be expected [of the US] to seek dialogue to resolve the issue.”
Iyi Party leader Meral Aksener tweeted that sanctions betrayed Nato and Turkey’s relationship with the US. “Topping the callousness towards Turkey’s problems with conceit by resorting to sanctions is neither worthy of an alliance nor contributes to the friendship between Turkey and the United States,” she said.
The main figure targeted by the sanctions, Mr Demir, said the Turkish defence industry would continue to grow despite the measures.
“The development of the domestic industry will continue, perhaps even faster,” he told a news conference in parliament. “In a sense, these [sanctions] will be a flare and a warning. We do not expect this to affect our relationships too much.”
The sanctions will block projects or the sharing of technology between US and Turkish defence companies as well as restrict financial aid of more than $10 million to the SSB. They also impose visa restrictions and asset freezes on Mr Demir and his three colleagues.
Following the sanctions announcement, the Turkish lira gained one per cent against the dollar on Tuesday, a sign that the relatively narrow measures were not as bad as expected.
“The good news for the market is that they are out of the way and it clears some of the page for [US President-elect Joe] Biden to rewrite the script of US-Turkey relations when he takes office,” said Timothy Ash, an emerging markets analyst at London’s Blue Bay Asset Management.
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%3Cp%3E1.%20Labour%20productivity%20is%20lower%20than%20the%20average%20of%20the%20developed%20economies%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20non-tradable%20industries.%3Cbr%3E2.%20The%20low%20level%20of%20basic%20skills%20among%20workers%20and%20the%20high%20level%20of%20inequality%20between%20those%20with%20various%20skills.%3Cbr%3E3.%20Low%20employment%20rates%2C%20particularly%20among%20Arab%20women%20and%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jewish%20men.%3Cbr%3E4.%20A%20lack%20of%20basic%20knowledge%20required%20for%20integration%20into%20the%20labour%20force%2C%20due%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20core%20curriculum%20studies%20in%20schools%20for%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jews.%3Cbr%3E5.%20A%20need%20to%20upgrade%20and%20expand%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20particularly%20mass%20transit%20infrastructure.%3Cbr%3E6.%20The%20poverty%20rate%20at%20more%20than%20double%20the%20OECD%20average.%3Cbr%3E7.%20Population%20growth%20of%20about%202%20per%20cent%20per%20year%2C%20compared%20to%200.6%20per%20cent%20OECD%20average%20posing%20challenge%20for%20fiscal%20policy%20and%20underpinning%20pressure%20on%20education%2C%20health%20care%2C%20welfare%20housing%20and%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20which%20will%20increase%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
HEADLINE HERE
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- That's about it
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
