Tag: Washington

US new media campaign in Tajikistan poses risk for president Rahmon

The United States are to start a new media campaign in Tajikistan that aims to prevent corruption and other violations by Tajik authorities. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the foundation «Eurasia of the Central Asia- Tajikistan» launched a series of training programs for local journalists earlier this years. The program allows professional journalists to learn about latest search engine technologies and media promotion tools to report leaked information about Tajik authorities as well as to learn about possible ways of legal protection against government sanctions and bans.

While the Tajik State Committee for National Security tightens the grip over the national media, a large part of the US media programs is being provided abroad in neighbor countries. For instance, in February 2017 a number of local journalists in collaboration with non-profit organization «InterNews Network» were sent to Armenia to take an internship in the local news agency «Hetq.am». As the program suggests, once the interns return back, they are supposed to perform media investigations on corruption and other misdemeanors pursued by high authorities in Tajikistan. In addition to that, the 3 local shooting teams will be selected to take up the training in the United States where they would master their skills in making documentary movies on human rights protection, as a part of the American project «Media Co-Op».

Meanwhile, among the project trainers are international experts who were involved in training of activists and protesters in color revolutions in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia. Given the fact that the project graduates are to be provided by financial and legal support from the United States they are likely to pursue investigations that would undermine credibility of the Tajik authorities and the President Emomali Rahmon. Which by no means rises a debate about future Tajik-US relations and real intentions of Washington policy in Tajikistan

Media campaigns and journalist trainings funded by the US are common in Tajikistan and around the Central Asia. Earlier last year the radio station «Ozodi» located in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe signed a sponsorship agreement with a number of foundations and financial institutions funded by American philanthropist and investor George Soros. As a result, the station openly criticized Dushanbe’s support for Moscow-Beijing economic cooperation, discouraged rapprochement of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in terms of water consumption, economic and cross-border cooperation and tried to prevent anti-terrorist cooperation between Dushanbe, Moscow and Beijing.

September 1, 2017
Ali F. Sevin, transportation official – The Washington Post

Ali F. Sevin, 82, who retired in 1990 as director of the Federal Highway Administration’s office of environmental policy, died June 25 at Georgetown University Hospital in the District.

He had cancer, said his wife, Nancy Sevin. Mr. Sevin was a Fort Washington resident and had lived in the Washington area for nearly five decades.

Mr. Sevin joined the Federal Highway Administration in Washington in 1964 after working for about a decade with the Louisiana state transportation department in Baton Rouge. He received several professional honors from the federal government.

Ali Ferda Sevin was born in Istanbul. He immigrated to the United States in 1953 after graduating from Robert College of Istanbul and received a master’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University in 1954. He was a naturalized U.S. citizen.

His memberships included the American-Turkish Association of Washington, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, of which he was a past president, and the Broad Creek Yacht and Recreation Club in Fort Washington.

His son Alan Sevin died in 1999. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nancy Tison Sevin of Fort Washington; three children, Darlene Sampson of Fort Washington, Eda Walker of Dry Prong, La., and Erol Sevin of Springfield; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

— Emily Langer

via Ali F. Sevin, transportation official – The Washington Post.

July 30, 2012
Chinese president concludes state visit to US

Chinese President Hu Jintao left Chicago for home on Friday after concluding a four-day state visit to the United States, during which Hu and his US counterpart Barack Obama agreed to build a China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

“It is also conducive to world peace and development,” Hu said.

In his speech, Hu elaborated on the domestic and foreign policies of the Chinese government and on how to advance China-US relations in the new era.

“Working together hand in hand, we will build and develop a China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and deliver greater benefits to the people of our two countries and the world over,” he said.

The Chinese president flew to Chicago on Thursday afternoon to continue his visit to the United States.

On Friday, Hu, accompanied by local officials, visited Walter Payton College Preparatory High School in downtown Chicago.

The high school houses the Confucius Institute in Chicago (CIC), which primarily focuses on the Chinese language and cultural education programs and is the only such institute targeting primary and middle school students in the United States.

Later in the day, Hu visited an exhibition of companies operating in the US Midwest. Most companies at the exhibition in Chicago’s suburban city of Woodridge are Chinese-funded ones.

During his tour of the exhibition, Hu encouraged Chinese companies operating in the US to play a bigger role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The success of Chinese companies in the United States is a specific example of the China-US mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

The operation of these companies not only yields profits for themselves, but adds momentum to economic development in the US Midwest, he added.

At least 40 Chinese businesses now have operations in the Chicago area, and the number is growing. For example, Wanxiang America Corp., which makes solar panels, has opened plants and a headquarters around Chicago in the last two years.

Before leaving the US for home, Hu sent a message of thanks to US President Obama, expressing his belief that through the efforts of the two sides, China-US relations would be further developed to better benefit the peoples of the two countries and make a greater contribution to world peace, stability and prosperity.

The Chinese president began his state visit on Tuesday in Washington. The visit, Hu’s second as head of state, is aimed at enhancing the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between the two countries.

Hu last visited the United States in April 2006.

President Hu, who began his visit on Tuesday, had extensive and in-depth discussions with Obama at the White House on Wednesday on major bilateral, regional and world issues.

The Global Times

January 22, 2011
Nonstop from Washington: Istanbul

New nonstop service isn’t the only reason to visit this ancient city.

WHY NOW
Turkish Airlines started nonstop service to Istanbul from Dulles in November, making it easier to visit one of the world’s most fascinating cities.

First-time visitors may be surprised at the size and beauty of Istanbul, a city of 13 million built on hills with sea vistas on all sides. The world’s only major city to span two continents—Europe and Asia—Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait.

Once known as Constantinople, the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, it became the center of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Today’s Istanbul blends the minarets and mosques, churches and palaces of the past with the energy of a modern metropolis.

WHAT TO DO
On the European side are the classic sights, such as the Old Town’s Sultanahmet Square and theBlue Mosque, named for the extraordinary blue tile work inside. The domes and six minaret spires, built from 1609 to 1616, are city symbols.

Hagia Sophia is nearby. An icon of Christianity, the church is a feat of design and engineering from the sixth century; its nave is topped by a 184-foot-high dome.

From there it’s a short walk to Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmet II from 1460 to 1478 and the home of Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Courtyards and pavilions offered lavish space for the sultans and their harems. Highlights include the throne room and the treasury, with its 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond.

Other sights include Suleymaniye Mosque, built in the 1550s for Suleiman the Magnificent, and the colorful stalls of the Spice Bazaar, dating from the early 17th century.

Plan Tours’ City Sightseeing Tour is a hop-on, hop-off bus that offers an overview of the rest of Istanbul with English narration. From Sultanahmet Square, the open-top bus crosses fisherman-lined Galata Bridge and travels uphill to Taksim Square in the Beyoglu district, the heart of the new and fashionable. Take a walk down one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, pedestrian-onlyIstiklal, lined with cafes and shops—from designer boutiques to an NBA shop and a fish market. You’ll see women in head scarves and others in miniskirts mingling peacefully. Ride the old-fashioned tram back up the hill to rejoin the bus and continue through old Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods and past ancient city walls.

Marble-domed Cemberlitas Baths in the Old Town is a popular place to experience the steaming and massaging of a Turkish bath. A boat ride on the Bosphorus offers a memorable view of the city skyline. TurYol boats offer 90-minute cruises from the Eminonu pier near the Old City side of the Galata Bridge.
DON’T MISS
The Grand Bazaar—one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, operating since the 1400s—is a labyrinth of thousands of shops and stalls in the Old City selling everything from tourist souvenirs to fine jewelry, ceramics, and carpets. Be alert for pickpockets, and be prepared to bargain.
WHERE TO EAT
Seafood is king in seaside Istanbul, and meals often begin with mezze, small Turkish dishes. In the Old Town, Balikci Sabahattin is an upscale place to sample both seafood and mezze.

The setting and Turkish/French cuisine also are excellent at Sarnic, a converted vaulted Byzantine cistern.

For a more modest tab, try the kebabs and other specialties at Buhara 93, and for a special lunch, visit pretty Pandeli upstairs over the Spice Bazaar.

Want to splurge? Seasons at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is the place for continental fare as well as local specialities.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels near Sultanahmet Square are convenient for sightseeing. Nine restored 19th-century houses make up the atmospheric 64-room Turing Ayasofya Konaklari (rooms from $104). Ottoman Hotel Imperial offers comfortable rooms in a restored 1800s school (from $138 with breakfast).

The modern Hotel Golden Horn Sultanahmet has many online specials (from $125 with breakfast). For celebrity followers, the city’s best-known hotel, Pera Palace in Beyoglu, is fresh off a renovation (from $368).

This article first appeared in the December 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.

Washingtonian

December 10, 2010
THY’s first direct flight from US capital arrives in Turkey

Turkey’s national flag carrier Turkish Airlines’ (THY) first direct flight from the U.S. capital city arrived in Istanbul on Sunday.

THY started direct flights between Istanbul and Washington D.C. on Saturday.

Turkey’s Ambassador in Washington D.C. Namik Tan, as well as several U.S. congressmen and native American leaders were among the 202 passengers who flew to Istanbul with THY’s first flight.

Speaking at a reception held at Washington Dulles International Airport prior to the aircraft’s departure, THY’s Director General Temel Kotil said direct flights between Istanbul and Washington would help the businessmen, politicians and people of the two countries reach each other in an easier way.

Kotil said flights would be held 4 times a week in the beginning and would be increased to 7 flights a week in near future.

The director general also noted that Istanbul would become the meeting point of passengers travelling from Asia, Middle East and Africa to USA thanks to THY’s new flights to Washington.

Speaking to AA reporter on board the THY plane that departed from Washington for Istanbul, Turkey’s Ambassador in Washington D.C. Namik Tan said direct flights between Turkey and the U.S. capital would increase the human contact and eliminate the lack of information between the two countries.

Moreover, U.S. Congressman William Delahunt told AA that the flights were an indicator of the increasing awareness between Turkey and the U.S.

Delahunt also said Turkey offered great opportunities for U.S. investors, and the economic cooperation between the two countries should be improved.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, Turkish Ambassador Tan said THY’s flights would carry the important relations between the U.S. and Turkey to a step further.

Describing Washington as the “political heart” of the United States, Tan said direct flights between the U.S. capital and Turkey would meet the needs of both politicians desiring to hold talks with their U.S. counterparts and the Turkish community living in Washington D.C..

AA

November 10, 2010
THY to launch direct İstanbul-Washington flights

Turkey’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) will begin direct flights between İstanbul and Washington, D.C. on Nov. 6.

Eight congressmen, including William Delahunt and Jean Schmidt, will be on the first THY flight to take off from Washington, D.C. The congressmen will be received by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and are scheduled to have several meetings.

THY has daily flights to New York and flies to Chicago six days a week. It will have three flights a week to the US capital.

November 9, 2010