[Shannon]

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkish prosecutors said Tuesday they had begun an investigation to determine whether a European Parliament lawmaker should be prosecuted for insulting Turkey's armed forces, a decision likely to further strain the country's ties with the European Union.

EU officials have already criticized Turkey for putting Orhan Pamuk, the country's best known novelist, on trial on charges of insulting the country and have called on Turkey to do more to protect freedom of expression at a time when Turkey is seeking to join the bloc.

A group of nationalist lawyers last week called for the prosecution of Joost Lagendijk, the head of the EU parliament's committee on Turkey, who reportedly told Turkish journalists that the Turkish military was provoking clashes with autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels. Prosecutors launched the probe on Dec. 21, but it was not made public until Tuesday.

"The army likes to clash with the PKK," the lawmaker is reported to have told journalists in reference to the Kurdistan Workers Party. "This makes it feel strong and important."

It is a crime to insult the army in Turkey. A probe does not necessarily mean that Lagendijk, a Dutch Green deputy, would be prosecuted.

View Full Article: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

[Lueneburg]

Shannon, I am curious whether you have read Orhan Pamuk's recent book on Istanbul. I welcome your reply.

[Umit]

Originally Posted by Lueneburg

Shannon, I am curious whether you have read Orhan Pamuk's recent book on Istanbul. I welcome your reply.

tell us your comment on the book?