Shortly before US President Obama left Turkey, activists protested in central Istanbul, saying, “Obama, your hands are bloody too, get out of our country.”

US president meets with religious leaders and attends a Q&A meeting with college students before leaving for Iraq. He voices change on combating global warming and increased efforts for resolving conflicts via dialogue.

While PM Erdoğan refuses to meet with the pro-Kurdish MPs, DTP co-chair Türk met with us president Obama and expressed their views for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. Army commanders attend General Assembly meeting after two years.

The Ministry of Health has announced that Denim Sand Blasting has been banned because it causes lung problems. The Ministry hopes to wipe out silicosis by 2030.

Erinç, president of the Journalists’ Society of Turkey (TGC) says that 62 journalists have been killed up to today. He has called on the Prime Minister to respect the press rather than call for boycotts.

Mater from the Global Peace and Justice Coalition believes that NATO should be disbanded. He adds, “Obama is sending 17,000 soldiers to Afghanistan. He is not bringing peace.”

Between 6-21 April, numerous events will be held in different cities across Turkey to discuss and celebrate different applications of the Internet. Professeur Akgül criticizes lack of coordination on governmental level to improve Internet access.

US president meets president Gül and addresses the parliament. He avoids making concrete statements on recognizing Armenian genocide claims and support on fighting Kurdish rebels; praises Turkey-US relations as a model of alliance.

The police intervened when around 5,000 people tried to visit the village of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan’s birth on his birthday. Two people died. More than 10,000 people took part in the funeral of one of them.

Öğreten of the Initiative for a Turkey without Mines says that Turkey has violated international agreements by not destroying its stock of 2.5 million mines. Turkey also needs to clear 1 million buried mines by 2014.

There were protests against NATO in Ankara, Istanbul and Eskişehir. Around 2,500 people gathered for a protest in Kadıköy, Istanbul.

After the G20 and NATO summits, the US President is now in Turkey. We would like Obama to close down military bases, pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and fight against global climate change.