Politics - International cruise lines cancel Turkey calls after attempted military coup

Cruise lines cancel their Istanbul calls, after the unsuccessful coup d´etat of the Turkish military.
by Earl of Cruise

Is the sun setting over Turkey? Are dark ages comming? - Source: Turkish Tourist Office

It was a frightening view in the TV news when the Turkish Army made again a Coup d´Etat. Every once and then, if the Republic turns into a "no go" for the ideology of the generals, to clerical, to left, to liberal, etc. they made a coup in the name of Attatürck. The Army is based on the believes of the late founder of the modern Turkish Republic - Keamal Attatürk. The last name we know, means in Turkish: Father of the Turks.

The army failed in their attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was a blood shed in the country. They claimed for the sake of democracy and secularity.

Soldiers on the Taksim-Place in Istanbul early Saturday morning

Following this military coup, cruise lines have begun canceling calls beyond Istanbul.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE, CELESTYAL CRUISES, CUNARD LINE, HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, PRINCESS CRUISES, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES Ltd., UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION, CELEBRITY CRUISES and SEABOURN CRUISES are among those that have altered itineraries due to the political turmoil and following airport closures. All these cruise lines have replaced scheduled calls at Kusadasi with nearby ports in Greece or sea days. Celebrity also canceled a visit to Bodrum and will visit Sicily in its place.

Foreigners, oppositionals, liberals, seculars, people of other believes, etc. had been attacked by AKP "believers" in the following days after the army coup.

But why did the Army revolt? Revolting against the elected President?

Erdogan, with a majority of his AKP behind, since years turns Turkey more and more into a non secular state. Since years he opressing liberal and democratic rights. And if someone is making jokes of him ... the pour guy/woman is in front of the court as of insulting the majesty ... His newly established civil war against the minority of the Kurds turned Eastern Turkey into a battlefield, just at the boarder to Syria, Irak and Iran.

To make things worst he secretly supportes ISIS in different ways. The journalist who uncovered this, has been sentenced to jail. And the newspaper which published - closed. He and the majority of the Turks deny the genocide of Armenians in 1915 and following years. Germany turned his back to when allies in WWI. Our parliament made a declaration and got the imidiate response of the new sultan. That is turning now, as a threat, to the beloved dear friend - the new Russian Zar, Putin.

First Erdogan´s army is shooting a Russian war plane, as Russia and Turkey have different goals in Syria, get´s his economic boycott answer, and now they try to be best again?

After successful defeating the military coup, Erdogan uprose his people in symple nationalistic propaganda, and has started a purge. And human rights are tossed away. State clerks are no longer allowed to leave the country, as passports have been declared invalid - 3,5 million people "jailed" in the country. Journalists, generals, even lower army ranks, lawyers, judges, teacher, etc. are put in prison. And more than 30,000 people have been jailed within days ... there must have been lists prepared prior to the coup d´etat.

Why is it that easy to rise nationalistic feelings in Turkey?

Turkey is a rather young country, since 1923, and consists of different nationalities. Those had been living together in Ottoman Empire, not as different tribes or nationalities but as Moslem - despite their different believes. And even Christians and Jews could easily live under the gouvernment of the Sublime Porte, also known as the Ottoman Porte or High Porte. Therefore the nationalism is stronger implementet in the minds, added with a certian feeling of inferiority. This frustration is further fueled as the economic policy of the new strong man is failing since two years.

Since 1963 the then Common Market union has denied Turkey the entry, as of lacking democratic standards. George W. Bush himself declared Turkey must be a part of the now European Union. And the negotiations on behalf the membership of Turkey had and have their ups and downs. And these negotiations, which are "open ended" if or not to become a member in the EU, the Brexit pros used for their lie, Turkey will be an EU member when Britain is leaving ... as well Syria and Irak.

The troubles we see today in Middle East are the results of the secret Sykes-Picot treaty of 1916. This is including Turkey of today with its nationalistic, anti Kurdish and Armenian politics.

Sources - Wikipedia - History - Encyclopaedia Britannica - Jewish Virtual Library - AL Jazeera - abc Australia

Sykes-Picot as well the Versaille Treaty are historic failiures of the international politics and community. And we today still have to deal with the results of.

Skyline of Istanbul, the "Horn" in the centre with the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace - source: Wikipedia

But back to the cruise lines abandoning Turkey.

Since "fealt" ages, cruise lines avoid the Black Sea - as of the Crimean occupation by Russia. So the step avoiding Istanbul and eventually all Turkish ports is a logical conclusion. Despite Istanbul is is great, vibrating and a perfect symbiosys of old and new. In some places quite a beauty, in some not. And views - breathtaking. You love Istanbul or you will hate, but Istanbul is touching you ... or had. Economically it is the capital of Turkey, as New York is for the USA. But since the "Taksim revolts" and the first terror attacs the city cools down. It is no longer that vibrating. The sultan is turning the screws of opression.

I have heard and read questions as: "why so?" A rather ignorant question, showing a grade of anawareness of problems. Do these people not think of their lives? Okay when it should happen, it happens. It is not fatalism. None of us can avoid his destiny. And it is not falling in the trapp of the terrorists.

Police on guard - Source: Stern

As of security concerns the cruise operators changed course of their vessels and stay away from a country in turmoil - Turkey. Otherwise it is "Eyes wide shut" going their on leisure holidays.

Since the terrorist attacks in Turkey, Istanbul especially, the U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey and to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey. It adds, "In light of the July 15 coup attempt and its aftermath, we suggest U.S. citizens reconsider travel to Turkey at this time." The Federal Aviation Administration also released a notice prohibiting U.S. airline carriers from flying to or from the Istanbul and Ankara airports.

Similarly, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to most of southeastern Turkey (all travel in some areas). It adds that travelers should be vigilant in resort cities, such as Marmaris and Bodrum.

The Australian Department of ForeignAffairs and Trade also cautions travel to Turkey, highlighting Istanbul and Ankara.

Same with EU statements and those of various countries within the EU, as Germany and France, e.g.

The majority of lines have pulled out of Istanbul for the year, which will have an impact on the economy throughout Turkey

The Leander Tower amid the Bosphorus, one of the best known landmarks in Istanbul - Source: Tourist Information Istanbul

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