ATC /  AFOT - DEIK / TAIK 25th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON U.S. - TURKISH RELATIONS

March 26-29, 2006  - The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC

"NEW DYNAMICS IN U.S.-TURKEY RELATIONS"

● ATC  -  American Turkish Council, Washington, DC 
● AFOT- American Friends of Turkey, USA 
● DEIK - Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu / Foreign Economic Relations Board, Istanbul :
            Türk Amerikan İş Konseyi / Turkish-U.S. Business Council

Conference Topics: Bilateral Trade Development, Defense & Security Affairs, Construction & Energy, New Project Opportunities in the Region, Commerce, Investment & Cooperation, Banking & Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles,  Livestock, Agribusiness & Food Industries, U.S. Homeland Security, Global & Regional Defense and Security Policy Issues, Networking

ATC Mission Statement  www.americanturkishcouncil.org

A Business Association dedicated to enhancing the promotion of US-Turkish Commercial, Defense, Technology and Cultural Relations.

Overview

As one of the leading business associations in the United States, American Turkish Council (ATC) is dedicated to effectively strengthening US-Turkish relations through the promotion of commercial, defense, technology and cultural relations. Its diverse membership includes Fortune 500, US and Turkish companies, multinationals, nonprofit organizations and individuals with an interest in US-Turkish relations. Guided by member interests, ATC strives to enhance the growing ties between the US and Turkey by initiating and facilitating efforts to increase investment and trade between the two countries.

Goals Of American-Turkish Council

AFOT- American Friends of Turkey (AFOT), USA  www.afot.us

AFOT is a charitable organization that promotes greater public awareness and understanding of Turkey's history, culture and modern day society.
 


DEIK - Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu / Foreign Economic Relations Board, Istanbul &

            Türk Amerikan İş Konseyi / Turkish-U.S. Business Council  http://www.deik.org.tr/councils.asp?councilId=9

TÜRK - ABD Kuruluş Yılı : 1985

    
 

 		 Kısa Bilgi

1985 yılında “U.S. Chamber of Commerce” ile imzalanan anlaşma ile DEİK çatısı altında kurulan ilk İş Konseyi olan Türk-Amerikan İş Konseyi (TAİK), Türkiye ile ABD arasında ticari ve sınai işbirliğinin ve ortak yatırımların arttırılması, üçüncü ülkelerde Türk-Amerikan işbirliği imkanlarının değerlendirilmesi, ticareti ve ortak girişimleri kısıtlayıcı mevzuat ve uygulamaları tespit ederek, bunların kaldırılması veya iyileştirilmesi yönünde ilgili merciilere tavsiyelerde bulunulması ile Türkiye’nin ve Türk ekonomisinin ABD’de tanıtımına katkıda bulunulması amacıyla çalışmalarını sürdürmektedir.

Devam >>

 

 		 Muhatap Kuruluş American-Turkish Council (ATC)
 

 		 Türk Tarafı Başkanı Dr. Yılmaz Argüden

 		 Firma ve Ünvanı ARGE Danışmanlık A.Ş., Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı
 

 		 Karşı Kanat Başkanı General Brent Scowcroft

 		 Firma ve Ünvanı Eski ABD Ulusal Güvenlik Konseyi Danışmanı
 

 		 En Son Yapılan Etkinlikler Georgetown Üniversitesi “Executive - MBA” öğrencisi 50 kişilik gruba brifing, 4 Nisan 2006

Türkiye - Yunanistan İşbirliği Fırsatları Konferansı, 31 Mart 2006, New York

TAİK işbirliğiyle ATS (American- Turkish Society) tarafından düzenlenen, Türk-ABD İş Girişimlerindeki Başarı Öykülerinin ABD'de Tanıtım Yemeğine Katılım, 29 Mart 2006, New York

ATC-TAİK-AFOT Ortak Yıllık Konferansı, 26-29 Mart 2006, Washington, D.C.

Devlet Bakanı Kürşad Tüzmen'in Katılımıyla "ABD ile Ticareti Geliştirme Stratejisi”ne İlişkin Çalışma Yemeği

Anadolu – ABD Köprüsü Toplantıları VIII, 8 Mart 2006, Adana

ABD'nin Yeni Türkiye Büyükelçisi Ross Wilson Onuruna Öğle Yemeği, 19 Aralık 2005, İstanbul

New York Temasları, 21-22 Kasım 2005

Chicago Temasları ve ATAA 26. Yıllık Konferansına Katılım, 16-18 Kasım 2005

Los Angeles Temasları, 14-16 Kasım 2005

Türkiye'nin EPCOT Uluslararası Yemek ve Şarap Festivaline katılımı, Orlando, Florida, 30 Eylül-13 Kasım 2005

New York Temasları, 7 Kasım 2005

Atlanta Temasları, 2-3 Kasım 2005

ATC ve TAİK Tarım ve Gıda Komiteleri “Tarım ve Hayvancılıkta Bölgesel İşbirliği Olanakları” Konulu GAP Bölgesi Ziyaret Programı, 18-19 Ekim 2005

ATC Başkanı General Brent Scowcroft Onuruna Resepsiyon ve Akşam Yemeği 16 Ekim 2005, İstanbul

Kaliforniya Eyalet Senatosu Doğal Kaynaklar ve Su Komitesi Başkanı Sheila Kuehl ve Beraberindeki heyete Brifing ve Heyet Onuruna Akşam Yemeği
26 Eylül 2005, İstanbul

Anadolu-ABD Köprüsü Toplantıları VI, 13 Eylül 2005, Kayseri

TAİK 20. Yıl Yemekleri, 6 Eylül 2005

Kongre Üyesi Danışmaları Ziyareti, 19-28 Ağustos 2005, Ankara, İstanbul

- Devlet Temsilcileri Brifingi, 23 Ağustos 2005, Ankara

- Kongre Üyesi Danışmanları, Basın temsilcileri ve ATC Üyeleri ile Akşam Yemeği, 23 Ağustos 2005, Ankara

- Kongre Üyesi Danışmanlarının TAİK Üyeleri ile Akşam Yemeği, 24 Ağustos 2005, İstanbul

- Kongre Üyesi Danışmanları ile STK temsilcilerinin Çalışma Yemeği, DEİK, 26 Ağustos 2005, İstanbul

Amerikan Başkonsolosu David Arnett'a Veda Yemeği ve "Türkiye-ABD İlişkileri Son Durum Değerlendirmesi ve T.C. Başbakanı'nın ABD Ziyaretinin İkili İlişkilere Etkisi" Konulu Panel, 11 Temmuz 2005, İstanbul


Geçmiş dönem faaliyetleri >>>
 

 		 Önümüzdeki Dönem Planlanan Etkinlikler Foreign Policy Association Heyeti ile Toplantı, 17 Nisan 2006

İslam Konferansı Örgütü Genel Sekreteri Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu'nun Katılımı ile TAIK Yemeği, 21 Nisan 2006, Istanbul

The State of Georgia Avrupa Ofisi Müdürü ile Yemekli Toplantı, 18 Mayıs 2006

TABC 2006 Konferansına Katılım, California Üniversitesi, 27 Mayıs 2006

Harran Üniversitesi, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi ve ABD Konsolosluğu tarafından düzenlenen ve “The History of Turkish American Relations 1833 - 1989” konulu konferans, 4-10 Haziran 2006, Harran Üniversitesi, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi

New York Times Ulusal Kültür Muhabiri Stephen Kinzer ile TAİK yemeği, 8 Haziran 2006, Istanbul

NSF International adlı sertifikalandırma, denetleme ve danışmanlık hizmetleri kuruluşu ile “Your Certification Passport to the North American Market” başlıklı seminer, Haziran 2006

U.S. Official Highlights Turkey's Economic Progress

Oil pipeline "catapulted" Turkey into energy markets, historic inflation tamed

By Vince Crawley Washington File Staff Writer 03 April 2006

Washington -- Turkey is making difficult but necessary economic choices that have led to “unprecedented growth, low inflation and stability” while also assuming a position of major importance in the energy sector, a senior State Department official says.

E. Anthony Wayne, assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, addressed the American Turkish Council Conference on March 28 in Washington.

The United States wants to work with Turkey to “shape … a future in which Turkey plays an ever increasing role in regional peace, stability and prosperity, in which Turkey is both anchored in Europe and a bridge to the East,” Wayne said in remarks released April 3.

Progress in the past 12 months includes the opening of talks to join the European Union, Wayne said. Turkey also stands to prosper from the December 2005 opening of the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which brings oil from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. One of the many goals of the pipeline is relieving a bottleneck of oil shipping through the Bosporus, where in the winter of 2003-2004 oil tankers were backed up 30 days or longer.

“Turkey overnight has been catapulted into world attention as the crucial link between Caspian Basin and Central Asian energy reserves and European and world markets,” Wayne said.

Inflation in Turkey has gone from a high of 70 percent in 2002 to below 8 percent at the end of 2005, Wayne said. At the same time, real gross domestic product grew by nearly 8 percent in 2004 and 5 percent in 2005.

Turkey in 2005 posted $9.6 billion of major foreign direct investment (FDI) after years of attracting very low FDI levels, Wayne said. He encouraged Turkey to “further spur investment by eliminating policies that discourage investment.” For example, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and other major U.S. soft drink companies have invested more than $500 million in Turkey and have created more than 7,000 jobs since 2000, despite “discriminatory ‘cola taxes’” as high as 47.5 percent, Wayne said.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

U.S.-Turkey Relations - E. Anthony Wayne
Tuesday, 4 April 2006, 10:50 am
Speech: US State Department


E. Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs
Remarks to the American Turkish Council Conference
Washington, DC
March 28, 2006


Growing the Economic Relationship

Greetings. It's wonderful to be here among such a distinguished crowd. I'm pleased to celebrate with you the 25th year of this conference and the long history of U.S.-Turkish relations. I would like to thank James Holmes and the American Turkish Council for inviting me to speak, and to acknowledge and welcome to the U.S. Trade Minister Kursad Tuzmen. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of ATC's chairman Brent Scowcroft, Turkey's Ambassador Nabi Sensoy and our U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson.

This has been a good year for our relationship. I am glad that we are focusing on how we can work together to enhance our friendship, promote our shared values, and increase our people's prosperity.

* Over the past year, we've seen a number of high-level visits. In January 2006, the U.S.-Turkey Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council met for the first time since 2002. All of this is an indication that our relationship is on the upswing.

* On the economic front, the last twelve months have also brought good news: the long-awaited opening of Turkey's EU accession talks, the initiation of an exit program with the IMF, and continued macroeconomic stability and growth. U.S. investment and trade are up, Turkey has seen some successful privatizations, and progress has been made on some ongoing investment disputes. Turkey's role as an energy hub and its potential in this arena have grown.

* Indeed, this year started off with a shock that focused Europe's attention on the need to find diverse, secure, reliable, and market-based sources of energy. Turkey has overnight been catapulted into world attention as the crucial link between Caspian Basin and Central Asian energy reserves and European and world markets. As we have in the past, the U.S. and Turkey will be cooperating on European energy security for years to come.

* Macroeconomic policy has created a strong environment for investment in Turkey: Inflation has gone from a high of 70% in 2002 to below 8% at the end of last year. 2005 was the first time in three decades that the Turkish inflation rate was in single digits. Real GDP grew by close to 8% in 2004 and by about 5% in 2005. Turkey's debt has gone from 78% of GDP in 2002 to about 62% in 2005.

* The IMF has advised that to continue this impressive performance, Turkey must rein in spending, reform the social security system, and broaden the tax base. It is also important the Turkey maintain the independence of its Central Bank. Moreover, Turkey's 6% current account deficit means Turkey, like the United States, must continue to attract stable capital inflows, and to do so must maintain continued growth and macroeconomic stability and pursue business-friendly policies. In other words, Turkey cannot rest on its laurels.

* The World Bank has also offered some good advice on actions Turkey can take to speed convergence with EU standards of living. Among the many recommendations are market reforms to improve the investment climate and measures to foster technology adoption and innovation.

Intellectual Property Protection

* Indeed, gains to developing countries like Turkey from promoting innovation can be massive. To achieve these gains requires effective intellectual property protection. o Weak IP laws and lax enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting take away the stimulus to innovate. o High levels of piracy and counterfeiting force legitimate businesses out of a country, taking with them with local investment, jobs and tax revenue. o Enforcing IP rights can help make a society safer by encouraging rule of law and discouraging the growth of organized crime networks. o Pirated products also divert badly needed tax revenues and help fuel corruption. o Turkey can accelerate its growth by fostering conditions that attract private investment, including a strong system of intellectual property protection.

Investment

* Turkey recorded a major foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of $9.6 billion in 2005, after years of attracting very low FDI levels.

* U.S. companies are major contributors to the Turkish economy, investing billions of dollars and creating tens of thousands of jobs. And investment will continue to grow as the regulatory and investment environment improves.

* In recent years we have seen real progress. We are hopeful the fall 2005 agreement between Motorola and Turkish cellular operator Telsim Mobil Telekomunikasyon, for instance, will prove to be among the first of many successful resolutions of business investment cases involving U.S. companies.

* Turkey can further spur investment by eliminating policies that discourage investment. As an example, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and other major U.S. soft drink companies have been fighting for years for the elimination or reduction of discriminatory "cola taxes" (as high as 47.5%). These U.S. companies have invested more than $500 million and created more than 7,000 jobs since 2000. Favorable resolution of the taxing scheme would lead to expansion of their operations, an increase in local employment, and eventually higher tax revenues.

* U.S. companies are also increasingly playing a role in the development of Turkey's energy and electricity sectors. Fair, transparent and open privatizations within this - - and other - - industries will be important to attracting U.S. interest and needed Western resources. And growth in this industry will have a multiplier effect.

Telecom and Information Technology

* Another area with the potential to create multiplier effects are the telecom and information technology sectors. The privatization of Turk Telecom last year provides an opportunity for accelerated growth and innovation in Turkey's telecommunications sector. A healthy telecom/IT sector can be a tremendous contributor to a modern, knowledge-based economy.

* Experience has shown that privatization alone is often not sufficient to create truly competitive conditions. A strong, independent regulator is also necessary to ensure that all participants can compete on an equal footing.

* Turkish regulators can also help create the conditions that will foster the growth of competing technology platforms, such as broadband access through both phone and cable lines. This could be a very important spur to increasing Internet usage in Turkey, which is currently only about 15%, as opposed to 40% in the EU.

* Government policy can also do its part. Turkey has among the highest tax rates on telecom services in the world, about 60%. Excessively high rates mean slower growth in a sector that should be a driver for the economy.

* Now with a majority of private ownership, the Turkish telecom and information technology sector is poised for rapid growth. An enabling policy and regulatory environment will be a decisive factor in how rapidly and completely these opportunities can be realized.

Turkey's Role as a Natural Gas Hub

* Given its geographic location, Turkey is already demonstrating its potential to serve as a hub for natural gas from the Caspian and Central Asia to Europe.

* To ensure its position as an important energy link, Turkey could benefit by considering the needs of both the consuming and producing countries that might ship gas through the country. In other words, you might think of both gas consumers and gas producers as potential customers for pipeline services. What it is it your customers are looking for? Based on our conversations with various officials, we believe they are looking for: o Diversity of sources of supply and transit. Neither producers nor consumers like monopolies. Attractive Investment Climate: Pipelines are expensive; they take an enormous amount of work and time to bring to fruition. As I think we've all witnessed with Baku-Ceyhan petroleum pipeline and the South Caucasus Gas Pipeline, you have to maintain an attractive investment climate to attract the enormous amounts of capital to build these projects. This means clear rules and regulations for investment, a reasonable tariff regime, and strong intergovernmental agreements

BTC a Crowning Achievement

* As we look back, the crowning achievement of regional political leaders and international energy companies is the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. The pipeline was largely completed just last December; and oil has already begun to flow from Baku.

* Parallel to the BTC pipeline, partners are constructing a South Caucasus Pipeline to carry Azeri gas from the Shah Deniz field to Turkey.

Expanding BTC

* The U.S. Government is encouraging the governments of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to link North Caspian oil fields by tanker with the BTC pipeline. We believe that this effort must be held to very high commercial and legal standards, and we appreciate the assistance of Turkey in this effort, which has much at stake in terms of transit revenues.

Efforts to Bypass the Bosporus

* Expanding Russian oil production has led to increasing bottlenecks at the Bosporus Straits. In the winter of 2003-2004, a tanker backlog of 30 days or longer developed. Additional production in the Caspian, or even in the Black Sea, could further aggravate the situation.

* Russian and Turkish entities, as well as international energy companies, have begun exploring options for Bosporus bypasses, mainly in the form of pipelines. Various parties have put options on the table.

* The U.S. Government generally supports efforts to improve infrastructure and transport efficiency in the region. However, weighing the commercial viability of the various proposals, in our opinion, is the responsibility of the private sector, which will ultimately finance and construct any pipelines that may result.

* Meanwhile, the U.S. Government will work with the Government of Turkey to improve operational efficiency in managing traffic flow in the Bosporus and to protect the environment from a catastrophic spill.

Conclusion

* Turkey is a dynamic country with a talented population, with great energy and resources. Turkey has come a long way, and made successful choices. Those choices, though difficult, have led to unprecedented growth, low inflation and stability. As a friend, we wish Turkey well and feel confident it will continue to do the hard work to lead its people to growth and prosperity. We in the United States want to work together with Turkey to shape the kind of future we both would like to see, a future in which Turkey plays an ever increasing role in regional peace, stability and prosperity, a future in which Turkey is both anchored in Europe and a bridge to the East.

U.S. Official Highlight's Turkey's Economic Progress

Oil pipeline "catapulted" Turkey into energy markets, historic inflation tamed

Turkey is making difficult but necessary economic choices that have led to "unprecedented growth, low inflation and stability" while also assuming a position of major importance in the energy sector, a senior State Department official says.

E. Anthony Wayne, assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, addressed the American Turkish Council Conference on March 28 in Washington.

The United States wants to work with Turkey to "shape ... a future in which Turkey plays an ever increasing role in regional peace, stability and prosperity, in which Turkey is both anchored in Europe and a bridge to the East," Wayne said in remarks released April 3.

Progress in the past 12 months includes the opening of talks to join the European Union, Wayne said. Turkey also stands to prosper from the December 2005 opening of the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which brings oil from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. One of the many goals of the pipeline is relieving a bottleneck of oil shipping through the Bosporus, where in the winter of 2003-2004 oil tankers were backed up 30 days or longer.

"Turkey overnight has been catapulted into world attention as the crucial link between Caspian Basin and Central Asian energy reserves and European and world markets," Wayne said.

Inflation in Turkey has gone from a high of 70 percent in 2002 to below 8 percent at the end of 2005, Wayne said. At the same time, real gross domestic product grew by nearly 8 percent in 2004 and 5 percent in 2005.

Turkey in 2005 posted $9.6 billion of major foreign direct investment (FDI) after years of attracting very low FDI levels, Wayne said. He encouraged Turkey to "further spur investment by eliminating policies that discourage investment." For example, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and other major U.S. soft drink companies have invested more than $500 million in Turkey and have created more than 7,000 jobs since 2000, despite "discriminatory 'cola taxes'" as high as 47.5 percent, Wayne said.

Source: U.S. Department of State http://newsblaze.com/story

Tuzmen: High time to increase trade volume with US

Speaking at the 25th Annual Conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) and Turkish-American Business Council (TAIK) in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said, ''It is now high time to increase trade volume between Turkey and the United States to 30 billion USD after witnessing development in defense and security cooperation in the last several years.''

Tuzmen noted that the US and Turkey should imagine what they could do together in the next 10 years. ''There could not be a better timing to develop commercial and economic ties between Turkey and the U.S.,'' told Tuzmen. ''Turkey is going through a process of change and is watched closely by many countries, including the U.S.'' Tuzmen stated that Turkey is the world's 22nd biggest exporter and 14th biggest importer. ''General Electrics has invested 1.8 billion USD in the Turkish economy. We will continue with tight fiscal policy and make our macroeconomic goals bigger,'' stated Tuzmen. Tuzmen pointed out that all that is needed to develop economic and commercial relations is to have creative ideas. ''The private enterprise in both countries must put more pressure on our respective governments to promote commercial ties.''

Tuzmen Meets Portman In Washington D.C.

Published: 3/28/2006  www.turkishpress.com

WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen met U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman in Washington D.C. on Monday. Tuzmen is actually in the USA to participate in the 25th annual conference of the American Turkish Council (ATC) and Turkish American Business Council (TAIK). After his meeting with Portman, Tuzmen said that he presented a letter to Portman saying that the quotas in rice exports to the USA would be lifted as of July 31st, 2006, and expressed belief that this issue was left behind. On the other hand, Tuzmen said that he also got Portman's support regarding textile exports.

TRADE VOLUME WITH USA

According to Tuzmen, bilateral trade volume of 10 billion USD is not reflecting the real potential. ''Turkey has only 0.003 percent share in overall imports of the USA, while it has only 0.006 percent share in U.S. overall exports. When we have such a volume and the USA is making 1.7 trillion USD of imports, Turkey should have more share,'' he said.

Tuzmen announced that Turkey would increase its trade with the USA by organizing fairs, signing new agreements and sending trade delegations.

State Minister Tuzmen added that he also expressed Turkey's wish to host the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in 2007.

Tuzmen's Talks In Washington D.C.

3/29/2006
WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen met separately some members of the U.S. Congress and executives of textile companies.

Tuzmen, who attended the 25th Annual Conference of the American Turkish Council (ATC) and the Turkish American Business Council (TAIK) in Washington D.C., had a meeting with Senator Gordon Smith, the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Trade. Tuzmen also held a round-table meeting with executives of some U.S. textile and ready-to-wear clothing companies. On the other hand, he also met Frank Lavin, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

Trade volume with US should be raised to $30bn, minister says

"It is now high time to increase trade volume between Turkey and the United States to 30bn dollars after witnessing development in defence and security cooperation in the last several years," said Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen.

Tuzmen delivered a speech at the 25th Annual Conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) and Turkish-American Business Council (TAIK) in Washington D.C., the United States.

"There could not be a better timing to develop commercial and economic ties between Turkey and the US," told Tuzmen. "Turkey is going through a process of change and is watched closely by many countries, including the US".

According to Tuzmen, Turkey is the world's 22nd biggest exporter and 14th biggest importer. "General Electrics has invested 1.8bn dollars in the Turkish economy. We will continue with tight fiscal policy and make our macroeconomic goals bigger," stated Tuzmen.

Tuzmen pointed out that all that is needed to develop economic and commercial relations is to have creative ideas. "The private enterprise in both countries must put more pressure on our respective governments to promote commercial ties."

Tuzmen added that both countries should imagine what they could do together in the next 10 years.

Erdogan's Foreign Policy Adviser Bagis In Washington

Published: 3/29/2006 http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=115995

WASHINGTON - Egemen Bagis, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy adviser and Justice & Development Party (AKP) deputy, met Congress members and representatives of Turkish community in Washington on Wednesday.

Bagis, who is currently in Washington to attend the 25th annual conference of American-Turkish Council and Turkish-U.S. Business Council, held meetings with Ed Whitfield and Robert Wexler, founders of Turkish Friendship Group in U.S. Congress, as well as officials of Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA).

Speaking to A.A regarding his meetings in Washington, Bagis said, ''we have discussed Turkish-U.S. relations, increasing trade with Iraq and Afghanistan as well as allegations of so-called Armenian genocide in the meetings.''

''While April 24th (the date Armenians accepted as anniversary of so-called genocide) is getting closer, U.S. Congress' support to Turkey continues. There is no negative atmosphere,'' he noted.

''I explained Turkey's efforts to settle stability in Iraq. After the United States, Turkey is the second country with the highest number of losses (truck drivers, engineers and workers) in Iraq. Turkey exerted great efforts to convince Iraqi Sunnites to take part in elections in Iraq. I also conveyed that bases in Turkey are used for soldier rotation, and Turkey sent humanitarian aid to Iraq. Congress members told me that they appreciated Turkey's friendship,'' said Bagis.

''U.S. officials asked me about the invitation of Hamas delegation to Turkey. The visit of Hamas delegation should be considered as the continuation of the will which brought together the foreign ministers of Israel and Pakistan, and which supported participation of Sunnite leaders in elections in Iraq. Turkey has exerted and will exert every type of effort to prevent death of innocent people in the region. International community was aware of Hamas' participation in elections, and Hamas won the elections. After it was elected, Turkey directly gave messages to Hamas which could not be given by other countries. This is a part of our geographical and historical responsibility,'' said Bagis.

BAGIS: “TURKEY IS THE US’ MOST TRUSTWORTHY ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s foreign policy advisor Egemen Bagis, in New York after attending the annual meeting of the Turkish-American Council (TAC) in Washington, said yesterday that Turkey was the US’ most trustworthy ally in the Middle East. “This situation will continue to hold true,” he said. Speaking at a dinner, Bagis praised the good relations between Ankara and Washington for the last 60 years. “Our two countries have many things in common such as democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression,” said Bagis. “The US and Turkey don’t want to lose each other.” He added that political and military relations between the two countries were strong, but economic ties needed to be strengthened. /Turkiye/

US AMBASSADOR WILSON: “THERE’S NO NEED FOR TURKEY’S MEDIATION ON IRAN”

US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson yesterday said that there’s no need for Turkey’s mediation on the Iranian nuclear crisis. Wilson, who participated in the annual conference of the American Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington on Wednesday, ruled out a possible mediator’s role by Turkey.” Neither we nor some others are looking for any mediators in the nuclear standoff with Iran,” he said. “There’s already an adequate level of communication. The international community is giving clear messages to Iran.” Commenting on whether or not a high-level meeting between Turkey and Iran would contribute to a diplomatic solution to the problem, Wilson said that three EU member states as well as Russia, which has close relations with Iran, are already giving clear messages to the country. /Cumhuriyet/
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=116428

BRYZA: “TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP HAS KEY ROLE IN COUNTERING RADICAL ISLAM”

A top US diplomat late Monday stressed democratic, secular Turkey’s crucial role in countering the rise of radical Islam, and stated that Washington’s support for its European Union membership stems from Ankara’s stance in the ideological divide within the Muslim world. US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza made the remarks at the 25th Annual Conference of the Turkish American Business Council (TAIK) and American Turkish Council (ATC), where Turkey’s EU bid was at the forefront of the discussions. The conference was held in Washington. Bryza described Turkey as a “successful country” with its majority-Muslim population but democratic and secular governmental system. EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk also told the meeting that the Union has made grave mistakes regarding the Cyprus issue, and this has resulted in an atmosphere where it is difficult to find common ground on the dispute over the divided island. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political advisor and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Istanbul Deputy Egemen Bagis expressed Turkish decisiveness on its path to the EU despite emerging difficulties. /The New Anatolian/ http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=115901

Turkey could be 'out in the cold' on JSF work

By Joshua Kucera JDW Staff Reporter
Washington, DC

The Turkish defence industry will be so reliant on work on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) that if it does not get access to a greater potential share of subcontracts for the next-generation fighter it could suffer badly, a top Turkish defence industry official has said.

If they do not get more work on the JSF, "they will be left out in the cold", Bayar said at the annual American Turkish Council conference in Washington, DC.

"They will have small minor projects they could take part in, but if they don't have a role in JSF that would be bad news" for the major defence companies in Turkey, Bayar said.

He noted that Turkey will decide this year whether to proceed with a contract for production and sustainment of the JSF; the perceived low level of Turkish industrial co-operation would be a factor in that decision, he said.

http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jdw/jdw060331_1_n.shtml

Turkey on the market for 100 new generation fighters
Wednesday, March 29, 2006  www.turkishdailynews.com

  Undersecretariat of the Defense Industry (SSM) chief Murad Bayar said on Tuesday that the Turkish Air Forces would be purchasing 100 new generation fighter planes worth $10 billion.

  Speaking at the annual American-Turkish Council and Turkish-American Business Council meetings in Washington, Bayer said the new generation jet fighters would replace the F-16 and F-4 fighter jets in the inventory.

  There are two options for the new generation planes, one is the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), produced by a group of countries led by the United States, and the other is the Eurofighter, produced by some European Union members. Turkey will choose which plane it will purchase at the end of the year.

  Bayar said Turkey was determined to ensure that half of the production process, worth $5 billion, would be done in Turkey.

  Bayar will meet with Pentagon officials, defense industry companies and the main manufacturer of the JSF, Lockheed Martin, during his stay in Washington.

New F-16s instead of F-4 upgrades
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Washington/Ankara - Exclusive by TDN Defense Desk

  Turkey's military and defense procurement officials are considering buying a new fleet of F-16 fighters in lieu of upgrading its aging F-4 fleet. If finalized, the decision will scrap a program for the upgrade of 48 F-4 fighter jets, with Turkey instead seeking to purchase a batch of 30 F-16 fighters.

  “That (opting for the F-16s) is an alternative,” Murad Bayar, Turkey's top procurement official, said in Washington where he is attending the annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC).

  A defense official said the F-4 upgrade program would cost Turkey nearly $500 million but that there were serious questions over the wisdom of the program. “We will decide in line with the current threat analysis,” said a defense official.

© 2005 Dogan Daily News Inc. www.turkishdailynews.com.tr

Young Businessmen's Association to visit US
Saturday, March 25, 2006 Turkish Daily News
  The Young Businessmen's Association of Turkey (TÜGİAD) will be visiting two cities in the United States -- Washington, D.C., and Chicago -- on a 10-day tour.

  The TÜGİAD delegation of 10, headed by Murat Saraylı, will attend the American-Turkish Council's (ATC) annual conference in Washington on March 26-29.

  The 25th Joint Annual ATC, American Friends of Turkey (AFOT) and Turkish-U.S. Business Council (TAIK) Conference will be inaugurated with an opening address from State Minister Kürşat Tüzmen. TÜGİAD head Saraylı will be participating in a panel discussion titled "Turkish-American Bilateral Trade Relations" at the conference.

  U.S. Congressman Robert Wexler, also a member of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans, will also take part in panel discussion.

  The U.S. Department of Commerce will give a briefing to the TÜGİAD delegation in Washington on the restructuring of Iraq. The delegation will also hold a roundtable meeting with the Young Businessmen's Association of Washington. Talks will focus on the prospects of cooperation and trade relations in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

  The second leg of the U.S. tour will be in Chicago, where the opening of a branch of Aris Kuyumculuk, a Turkish jewelry firm, meetings with the Chicago Chamber of Commerce and a panel discussion organized by the Illinois District Office Business Development Program are scheduled.

  TÜGİAD members will also be attending a reception at the Turkish Embassy in Washington.

Cetin: If Terrorism Is Not Defeated In Afghanistan, It Can't Be Defeated Anywhere Else

Published: 3/29/2006 http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=115999

WASHINGTON - NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Hikmet Cetin said, ''if terrorism is not defeated in Afghanistan, it cannot be defeated anywhere else.''

Cetin, who attended the 25th annual conference of American-Turkish Council and Turkish-U.S. Business Council in Washington, informed journalists about the recent situation in Afghanistan.

Noting that security and fight against terrorism are basic matters, Cetin said, ''the general condition in Afghanistan is good. Taliban was cleared from administration. No facilities or communication network of Al Qaida remained in the country; however, activities of Taliban and Al Qaida continue in some places.''

''Incidents especially on Pakistani border have escalated since last September. Taliban and terrorist organizations saw that they cannot fight against international forces. However, they changed tactics by taking Iraq as a model. Afghan culture does not include suicide attacks. But now they are using tactics like suicide attacks and bombs on roadsides,'' said Cetin.

He said, ''these attacks are mainly focused on schools and education system in the south. Another reason of increasing attacks is to test NATO in the south.''

''In the end of July, NATO will undertake the command. Turkey, France and Italy will undertake the command rotatingly in and around Kabul,'' he added.

Cetin said, ''terrorism is related with economic and social conditions. As long as business, education and health issues do not recover, military operation will not alone be enough. The support of neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, is necessary as well. We are in a global struggle. If terrorism is not defeated in Afghanistan, it cannot be defeated anywhere else.''

''The democratic process functions well in Afghanistan. View of Afghan people towards NATO is very positive. According to public surveys, 70 percent of Afghan people supports NATO,'' noted Cetin.

Cetin's mission in NATO will end in August.

US Asks for Extra Time to Deal with PKK
By Ali H. Aslan, Washington  Published: Thursday, March 30, 2006  zaman.com

The fight against the PKK, or Kurdish Workers’ Party, has become a recurring theme at this year’s meetings of the American Turkish Council (ATC), an organization that annually gathers senior Turkish and American officials together in Washington.

The Turkish contributors adamantly appealed for action against the PKK, only to hear from United States officials a pledge to do so in the future.

Turkey is indebted to the US for its support in fighting the PKK, said Turkish Lt. Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu, but stressed the presence of problems relating to the current situation in Iraq.

“We expect to see concrete steps in support of this cooperation. Turkish society would like to hear about or even see some tangible movement,” said Zorlu, as he stressed that talks in the near past have been useful.

The US administration is looking for ways of improving the overall security in the country prior to the launch of a military operation against the PKK, said Admiral William Sullivan as the representative of the Pentagon, and he agreed that Turkey has good reason to ask for substantial action against the PKK in Iraq.

American military officers are of the opinion that immediate action against the PKK involves the risk of the deterioration of stability in Northern Iraq, consequences that need acknowledgment from Turkey and Iraq, Sullivan said.

Sullivan also pointed out the significance of the US administration waiting the formation of a government in Iraq.

Following an exchange of messages between the two military officials, Turhan Comez, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), asked the American admiral questions through an interpreter.

Comez asked about the odds that the PKK will face a cutoff in logistic as well as financial aid.

The United States military is much too busy with its current struggle against insurgency over there to fight against PKK militants at the moment, whatever you said is suitable only for future actions, Sullivan replied.

When asked to comment on the likelihood of further pressure on the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Union (KDP) and Iraqi Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK), Sullivan only said it looks like a decision that needs attention from politicians.

Pace: My response is straightforward

Facing the same questions at dinner, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of General Staff Gen. Peter Pace said: “My answer is honest. We should first establish a safe and stable government in Iraq. After that, we can start thinking over what to do for the PKK problem. This response is not satisfactory for Turks, but it is self-explanatory and an honest answer.” The American top general also highlighted that Turkey and the US are “allies who are vital for one another”.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, likewise, was driven into the corner on another panel.

Disagreeing with the arguments that they are not taking concrete steps, Byrza said, “If looked at from a greater perspective, we are in a series of concrete steps,” as he also asserted that official channels were aware of this.

Byrza reminded the press that the State Department was trying to decide on “mechanical steps” to take with the PKK during the three-party meeting with Turkey, the US, and Iraq; and that further improvements would take place upon formation of the government.

At both panels, the Turkish mediator put forward the idea that the PKK should be put on the terror list and that the US should help in this. But simply no support from the American officials emerged.

A Saddening View In Washington D.C.

Published: 3/29/2006  www.turkishpress.com

Asli Aydintasbas, a columnists of the Sabah daily who was in attendance at the annual meeting of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington D.C., explained her impressions in her column on Wednesday.

''For the first time in my life, I was engulfed in sadness when I entered the conference hall. ATC meetings are not ordinary events. In fact, those meetings were used to be held with the participation of leading figures from the Turkish government, business circles and the General Staff. American senators, military officials, bureaucrats and executives of giant companies were used to attend the ball prior to the meetings. Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project was shaped during those meetings. But this year, the conference hall was half empty.

Of course it is not a problem of bad organization but is the sign of 'confidence crisis' in bilateral relations. I talked to a high-level American official at dinner and he told me that everybody was fed up with talking about Turkish-American strategic partnership. He also said that there were obvious problems. He did not attend the ATC meetings, but complained about the movie ''Valley of Wolves-Iraq'', the visit (to Ankara) of Hamas delegation, distressing developments at the (Turkish) Central Bank and the possibility of legalization of the Koran classes by the government. He was afraid of Turkey's metamorphosis into a new Malaysia.

This was the sad view I observed in Washington D.C. in the spring of 2006. I asked another high-level American official whether he would attend the ATC meetings. He told me that he rather prefer to go to a dinner to be hosted by the Armenian National Congress.

As usual, the resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide will be on the agenda in April. Turkey do not rely on support of the Jewish lobby in Washington D.C. any longer. Some say that the resolution might have a coercing impact on U.S. senators. In that case, we will have to forget about 50-year Turkey-US friendship.''

U.S. Not Intent To Violate Montreux Convention

Published: 3/29/2006  www.turkishpress.com

WASHINGTON - U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Matthew Bryza said that the United States, while exerting efforts to increase security in Black Sea, does not have any intention to violate Montreux Convention (on Turkish straits) to which Turkey emphasizes great importance.

Taking the floor at a panel discussion in the 25th annual conference of American-Turkish Council and Turkish-U.S. Business Council in Washington, Bryza said that the US needs to demonstrate clearly what its goals are as regards the Black Sea, however they do not intend to violate or invalidate Montreux Convention. He added that they also do not want to create tension with Russia.

Noting that the aim of the United States is not to deploy a naval force in Black Sea, Bryza said that NATO member Turkey is already in the Black Sea, adding that Romania and Bulgaria are also NATO member countries.

Turkey supports Security Council statement on Iran

Friday, March 31, 2006 ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

  Turkey expressed support yesterday for a “presidential statement” adopted by the U.N. Security Council that calls on Iran to freeze its uranium enrichment work and gives Tehran 30 days to clear up suspicions that it seeks to become a nuclear power.

  In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the Security Council statement offered a chance for resolution of the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is part of a secret nuclear weapons program, through diplomatic means and emphasized that it reflected the will of the international community on the issue.

  “We believe the statement offers a great chance for resolution of the problem through peaceful means and support the statement, which reflects the shared expectations of the international community of Iran,” the ministry statement said.

  According to the Foreign Ministry, the presidential statement made it clear that all countries that are parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty had the right to produce nuclear energy and conduct nuclear research for peaceful purposes but also reminded Iran that it should meet its obligations stemming from the same treaty, urging full Iranian cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

  Compliance with the agency's decisions is pointed out as a major means to bring about a peaceful solution, the ministry statement also said.

  The presidential statement approved by the council was described by all council members as a first step in pressuring Iran to resolve “outstanding questions” -- first and foremost by suspending uranium enrichment, which can be used to make nuclear weapons, and in reprocessing. It also calls for Iran to ratify the International Atomic Energy Agency's additional protocol, which allows for unannounced inspections.

  Turkey says Iran has the right to acquire nuclear energy but is opposed to Tehran's possessing nuclear weapons.

  U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said of the statement, “The response we want is full compliance with the obligations [Iran] voluntarily undertook in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the obligations it undertook in its safeguards agreement with the IAEA, and the nearly dozen resolutions that have been adopted.”

US not seeking Turkish mediation:

  In Washington, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson made it clear that the United States was not seeking Turkey's mediation in resolving the nuclear dispute between the international community and Iran.

  Wilson, who was in Washington to participate in the annual American-Turkish Council (ATC) meeting, responded to questions from a group of Turkish journalists at the State Department building.

  “Neither we nor others are looking for a mediator on the Iran issue. Besides, there is already sufficient contact in the current situation. A clear message is being conveyed to Iran,” Wilson was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency in response to a question on the United States' expectations from Turkey concerning Iran.

  In response to insistent questions as to whether a senior-level meeting between Turkey and Iran would help in resolving the dispute, Wilson once more said, “We are not looking for Turkey to play the role of mediator.”

  The ambassador, who arrived in Ankara last December, added that three European Union member countries are already in close contact with Iran and that Russia has also been conveying clear messages to Iran concerning its nuclear plans.

  Wilson expressed satisfaction over the clear messages given Tehran by the Turkish government, which has been insistently urging the Iranian leadership to reconcile with the international community.

  “This situation [messages given by Turkey] underlined Iran's isolation. We expect Turkey to continue these statements,” he was quoted as saying by NTV. Wilson also named Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül and Justice Minister Cemil Çiçek as well as Foreign Ministry spokesman Namık Tan as those who have publicly delivered these messages. 

  Earlier this week Marc Grossman, a top U.S. administration official who retired last year from the U.S. State Department where he served as undersecretary of state for political affairs, said at the ATC conference that the Iran issue would be key in U.S.-Turkish relations in the coming months.

  Earlier the same day Wilson delivered a speech and said that while dealing with Iran's nuclear program, “Turkey's support for maintaining an international consensus will play a key role.”

  During the same conference on Wednesday, Lt. Gen. Hilmi Akın Zorlu, head of the General Staff Planning and Principles Department, said Turkey does not want any country in its region possessing nuclear weapons.

Turkish-American scientific competence may generate prosperity
Thursday, March 30, 2006  - Turkish Daily News

If Turkish-American scientists return to Turkey, they could contribute to a 1 percent increase in the gross national income, claims Merck Group director

ONUR SAZAK - WASHINGTON - TURKISH DAILY NEWS/REFERANS

  Turkish-American scientists and scholars could increase Turkey's gross national income by 1 percent if they would apply their proven talents to projects in Turkey, claims Jeffrey Kemprecos from the Merck Group.

  Speaking at the annual conference of the Turkish-American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA), held in Philadelphia, Kemprecos highlighted a lack of interest in Turkey to attract its academic and scientific brains working and living abroad. Kemprecos is director of public affairs in Turkey for the Merck Group, a globally operating group of companies specializing in pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

  “If a similar meeting were organized not by Turks but by Chinese or Indian scientists and scholars, officials from these countries would swarm the meeting to draw their scientists back to their own countries with offers of laboratories, funds and other opportunities.”

  Comparing two recently held Turkish-American conferences in the United States, Kemprecos said the 25th annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) was the center of attraction for Turkish officials, visitors from Turkey as well as the media and the private sector. “TASSA is a young and non-political organization assembling intelligent people mainly focusing on scientific research. And Turkish-American relations whirl around geostrategic partnership and defense. The TASSA conference has not been able to draw the numbers of Turkish officials and the media, like the ATC conference. As few as two representatives from the Turkish private sector, Beko and Vestel, were present.”

  “We might be missing a good opportunity. I wish international companies operating in Turkey had sent their representatives here. Turkish-American scientists and entrepreneurs are performing impressively in the United States.”

  According to Kemprecos, if members of TASSA decide to return to Turkey, they will transmit their successful missions to Turkish projects and create employment opportunities that in turn would cause a minimum 1 percent increase in the national income.

  But serious obstacles stand in the way of transferring such brain capacity to Turkey, with bureaucracy and inadequate infrastructure leading the way, he said. Kemprecos also believed that a better public relations effort should be made on the part of TASSA. He proposed that the next TASSA annual conference be held in Istanbul and offered increased support from the Merck Group

Tan: We Do Not See Any Reason For A Train Accident

Published: 3/29/2006 www.turkishpress.com
 
ANKARA - ``We do not see any reason for a train accident,`` said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan today.

Tan`s comments came after remarks made by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that Turkish-EU relations may experience difficulty in 2006 due to Cyprus and that the EU Commission is working towards preventing a `train accident` at the end of 2006.

In a weekly press conference, Tan indicated that Rehn`s comments were actually the confirmation of Turkey`s thesis that ``accession of the Greek Cypriot administration into the EU without resolution of the Cyprus issue would cause problems.``

Tan pointed out that Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-chair Joost Lagendijk also admitted during American-Turkish Council annual meeting that Greek Cypriot administration`s EU membership was a mistake. ``The platform to find a solution in Cyprus is the United Nations,`` added Tan.

MUSTAFA KOC: “CONCRETE STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE PKK”

In his opening speech to the 25th US-Turkish Business Council yesterday, Koc Holding Chairman Mustafa Koc said that disagreements between Ankara and Washington on certain issues should be solved through constructive dialogue. Touching on the PKK terrorist group, Koc said that only discussing the issue wasn’t enough, but both sides must take concrete steps to counter the group. Commenting on economic developments in Turkey, Koc stated that the political events weren’t affecting markets as much as in the past. “However, a return to populist policies would hurt the markets,” he said. Koc added that Ankara’s European Union accession talks and the economic program supported by the International Monetary Fund staying on track both carry crucial importance./Milliyet/ http://www.turkishpress.com/news

WEEK IN REVIEW
Turkish Daily News (subscription), Turkey - Mar 25, 2006

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül has decided not to participate in the annual American-Turkish Council (ATC) conference on March 26-29 in Washington, DC

  Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül has decided not to participate in the annual American-Turkish Council (ATC) conference on March 26-29 in Washington, D.C., as planned, since doctors banned him from flying after he was treated yesterday for an upper respiratory tract infection and ear problems at a military hospital in Ankara. Gül had been suffering from a respiratory tract infection for the past 10 days and was admitted to the hospital on Sunday after cabin pressure during a flight back to Turkey from Tunisia caused “trauma” in his inner ear.

March Marks 3rd Year of US-led Iraq Invasion

  Opposition to the war is nearly universal in Turkey and cuts across all political stripes. Unionists, communists, anti-American protesters and right-wing nationalists mixed in crowds that police in Istanbul estimated to total 3,000 people.

  "Murderer USA," read a sign unfurled by a communist in Taksim Square in European Istanbul.

  "USA, go home!" said red-and-black signs carried by hundreds of protesters in Kadikoy on the city's Asian coast.

  Turkey is Iraq's northern neighbor and the only Muslim-majority member of the NATO military alliance. Historically close relations with the U.S. were severely strained after the Turkish parliament refused to allow U.S. troops to launch operations into Iraq from Turkish territory.

  U.S. military planners said the move complicated operations by shutting down the U.S. option of opening a northern front in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

  Since the war, support for the United States has plummeted in Turkey. Coming of spring, or Nevroz, celebrations were marred by clashes and pro-Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) slogans on last Sunday, days before the actual celebrations start. Some stone-throwing demonstrators clashed with police, and dozens were detained. Nevroz is traditionally celebrated on March 21, but some celebrations start days earlier.

  More than 10,000 people carrying pictures of Öcalan and shouting slogans in support of him gathered in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, watched by hundreds of riot police armed with shields, batons and firearms.

  In the Aegean port city of İzmir, police seized some 20 firebombs stashed in a bag at a scene where a group was set to stage a demonstration, private NTV reported.

Turkey, US hold off talks on critical issues

The New Anatolian / Ankara

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's health problems have caused the postponement of his planned visit to U.S. and exchange of views with the Washington administration on key foreign policy issues, including Iran, Iraq and Cyprus.

Turkish diplomats said on Tuesday that, in the absence of Gul, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen will head to the Turkish delegation in the annual three-day American-Turkish Council conference set to start on Sunday. But the previously planned meetings of Gul with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley had to be postponed.

Foreign Ministry officials said that Gul will stay at the hospital till the weekend, following successful surgery on Monday. Officials said that Gul's health condition is good but still he will not be able to travel via plane for at least 45 days, which means the cancellation of several foreign visits.

Gul underwent successful surgery at Ankara's Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) on Monday for trauma in his inner ear stemming from an upper respiratory tract infection and cabin pressure.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was one of the first colleagues who sent a message to Gul wishing a quick recovery following the surgery.

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul left for the United States yesterday to visit Boeing, which produces aircraft for the "Peace Eagle" project.

Gonul will proceed to Los Angeles on Friday and deliver a speech on "Evolving Security Environment and Turkey's Strategic Role in Eurasia" at a meeting held by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

Gonul will later head to Chile on Sunday as the guest of the Chilean defense minister.

Ankara asserts Cyprus action plan still on table

We will follow this [action plan] up until the end,’ says Foreign Ministry spokesman in reflecting Turkey’s commitment to its Cyprus plan unveiled in January

Turkey's Cyprus action plan that was unveiled late in January is still on the table as Turkish diplomacy has been continuing its consultations with parties related to the Cyprus issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Namık Tan said yesterday.

“The assumption that Turkey's action plan has been put on the shelf is out of the question. Turkey's action plan is still on the table,” Tan said in response to a question at a weekly press briefing.

Earlier this year, Turkey unveiled an action plan introducing proposals to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus in the hope of reciprocal action by the Greek Cypriots to end the decades-long division.

Both Greek Cyprus and Athens dismissed the proposals as “nothing new,” while Britain and the United States welcomed the move as a positive one.

Bringing to mind the fact that a number of European Union leaders as well as EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn were among global figures who lent support to Turkey's action plan, Tan said, “We will follow this [action plan] up until the end.”

Last Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos met in Paris and agreed on the groundwork for a possible resumption of peace negotiations.

The Greek Cypriot side judged the Annan meeting a triumph, which opened the door for some of the big political issues to be resolved so a resumption of U.N.-sponsored negotiations would have a good chance of success.

However, Turkish Cypriots say they want negotiations to be based on a U.N. reunification plan, not through smaller working committees as proposed.

A U.N. statement released last week declared that leaders of both communities agreed that “bi-communal discussions” would take place on “a series of issues, agreement on which is needed for the benefit of all Cypriots.”

Tan directed criticism towards the Greek Cypriot administration by saying that Greek Cypriots have kept on not responding to initiatives brought up by Turkey in hope of finding a way towards resolution. Turkey has offered more than 20 proposals in the last few years, he noted.

Reiterating Ankara's full support for Annan's ongoing efforts, Tan once more asserted Turkey's stance in preferring to find a resolution to the Cyprus issue under the U.N. roof.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, who has been invited to Washington to deliver a speech at the annual American-Turkish Council (ATC) conference late this month, is expected to meet with Annan as well in order to discuss recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue during his visit to Washington. However, as of yesterday, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials were unable to confirm whether Gül would participate in the conference in Washington. The ATC listed Gül on its Internet site as one of the invited speakers at a session on March 27.

“There were statements from many of our counterparts in which they said that this plan is really a useful initiative towards resolution. We will continue our calls for implementation of this plan and our support for the U.N. secretary-general's efforts for a comprehensive resolution within this framework,” Tan said and concluded that Turkey's Cyprus action plan would also be discussed during Gül's visit to Austria. Gül departed yesterday for Vienna in order to participate in a ministerial-level EU Troika-Turkey meeting in Vienna.

First high-level EU-Turkey meeting since Oct. 3:

Gül will today participate in the ministerial level meeting in Vienna, which will be the first such high-level meeting since Oct. 3, when the European Council opened entry talks with Ankara.

In Vienna, Gül will meet with his Austrian counterpart, Ursula Plassnik, who will represent her country that holds the current rotating EU term presidency, as well as with EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn and foreign minister of the next EU term president Finland, Erkki Tuomioja.

Following the meeting in Vienna, Gül will head to Salzburg for a two-day informal Gymnich-type meeting on March 10-11.

As the representative of the first and only mainly Muslim country seeking EU membership, Gül will make the opening speech at the Salzburg meeting, where the ministers will focus on debating the concept of alliance of civilizations, prompted by ongoing tension stemming from publication of insulting cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in European newspapers.

The meeting in Salzburg, to debate religion and culture among other topics, follows violent rallies in reaction to the cartoon crisis. The EU has urged better dialogue between the Muslim world and the West over respect and tolerance and has said it would like Turkey to play the role of mediator. Late last month, Plassnik extended an invitation to Gül to deliver the opening speech.

While in Salzburg, Gül is also expected to find an opportunity to meet with his newly appointed Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyannis. She was appointed foreign minister after a Cabinet reshuffle by Greece's conservative government three weeks ago.

ABHaber 08.03.2006 turkishdailynews.com

ATC EVENTS 2006

ATC held a dinner honoring H. E. Ross Wilson, the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Turkey at a dinner on Friday evening, January 6, 2006. Among the guests who were present was the new Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States, H. E. Nabi Sensoy. Chairman Scowcroft introduced Ambassador Wilson, who addressed the guests during this special evening.

The American-Turkish Council held a Working Breakfast Meeting with Ambassador Yigit Alpogan, the Secretary General of the Turkish National Security Council during his official visit to the United States on the 25th of January.

Ambassador Alpogan met with ATC members and discussed regional security issues, bilateral issues and the overall important role that ATC played in promoting relations between United States and Turkey. The newly arrived Turkish Ambassador to the United States, H. E. Nabi Sensoy was among the guests at this special meeting.

ATC welcomed the new Turkish Ambassador to the United States, H. E. Nabi Sensoy at a dinner held on Wednesday, February 22nd at the Washington Court Hotel. During his address Ambassdaor Nabi Sensoy talked about the importance of the relations between United States and Turkey, and how this relationship will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come.  He also emphasized the important role that ATC plays within this relationship.  

Together with ATC members some of the special guests who attended this special evening  included David Merkel of NSC, Doug Silliman from State Department, Minister Counselor and DCM Engin Soysal and Mrs. Soysal, TRNC Representative Osman Ertug and Mrs. Ertug, and Turkish Military Attache BG Bertan Nogaylaroglu and Mrs. Nogaylaroglu.

ATC - Golden Horn Members
ALARKO HOLDING     
ALTRIA GROUP INC.     
BAE SYSTEMS     
BECHTEL INTERNATIONAL     
BOEING     
BP     
BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION     
CHEVRONTEXACO     
DOLMABAHCE TURIZM A.S.     
ECZACIBASI HOLDING     
ELI LILLY     
ENKA POWER     
FRITO LAY GIDA SANAYI VE TICARET A.S.     
GAMA GROUP OF COMPANIES     
GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS     
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY     
ISHAD     
ITKIB ASSOCIATION INC. U.S.A.     
KOC HOLDING     
LOCKHEED MARTIN     
MNG HOLDING     
MOTOROLA INC.     
NOBEL ILAC SANAYI A.S.     
NORTHROP GRUMMAN     
NTF CONSTRUCTION     
OVERSEAS PARTNERS     
OYAK     
PFIZER INC.     
PSEG GLOBAL     
RAYMOND JAMES INTERNATIONAL     
RAYTHEON     
SABANCI HOLDING     
SANCAK A.S.     
SANKO HOLDING     
T.C. ZIRAAT BANKASI     
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY     
THE PEPSI BOTTLING COMPANY     
THE WHITEHEAD GROUP     
TIM - TURKISH EXPORTERS ASSEMBLY     
TURKCELL     
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES / SIKORSKY     
WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL     
YASAR HOLDING     
YUKSEL HOLDING  

ATC - Bosphorus Members
AHMET AYDENIZ CONSTRUCTION     
AK GROUP     
ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND     
ARNOLD & PORTER     
ARTEMEL INTERNATIONAL     
BAKER DONELSON BEARMAN CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ     
BANK OF AMERICA     
BAYTUR CONSTRUCTION     
C.P.S. CORPORATE & PUBLIC STRATEGY ADVISOR GROUP     
CONRAD INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL     
ELMER D. PENDLETON     
GURIS CONSTRUCTION     
HASAT FOREIGN TRADE, LTD     
HERGUNER, BILGEN & OZEKE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW     
HYATT REGENCY ISTANBUL     
IDC DEFENSE INDUSTRY TRADE, INC.     
KEY TOURS     
MESA CONSTRUCTION     
METIS HOLDING     
NUROL HOLDING     
OTOKAR     
PRATT & WHITNEY     
PRESTON HUGHES     
PROFILO HOLDING     
ROCKWELL COLLINS     
SESS FOOD AND LIVESTOCK INC.     
SISTEM YAPI INSAAT & TICARET     
SOYAK CONSTRUCTION     
TEKNOLOJI HOLDING A.S.     
TEPE CONSTRUCTION     
TEXTRON     
THE COHEN GROUP     
THE LIVINGSTON GROUP     
WHITE & CASE     
WOVEN LEGENDS, INC.     

ATC- Marmara Members
ACAR LAW FIRM PLLC     
ALP HAVACILIK     
ALTAY GROUP OF COMPANIES     
AMERICAN BORATE COMPANY     
ATAM ELEKTRIK A.S.     
ATFO - AMERICAN TRADE FAIRS ORGANIZATION     
AYDIN YAZILIM VE ELEKTRONIK A.S.     
BALSU USA     
CISCO SYSTEMS     
COLLIER ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL     
COSKUNOZ HOLDING     
DECHERT, PRICE & RHOADES     
DELTA AIRLINES     
DESSTEK INC.     
DEUTSCHE BANK AS     
DORMAK COMPANY     
eDEVLET TECHNOLOGIES     
EKOM VITRA     
EMRE LTD.     
EMT - ERIMTAN CONSULTING, CONTRACTING TRADE, INC. CO.     
ESBAS/AEGEAN FREE TRADE ZONE     
EUROPEAN TRAVEL     
EXXONMOBIL     
FORD OTOSAN     
GAINER INDUSTRIES     
GATE ELEKTRONIK     
GMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES     
GRANISER TILE-KITCHEN BATH     
HALLIBURTON     
HASEMOGLU CONSTRUCTION LTD     
HAVELSAN     
HERRICK     
HESKETH STREETER     
ICTAS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY & TRADE     
KiSKA CONSTRUCTION / THE MARMARA     
LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS N. JACOBSON LLC     
MACH I, INC.     
MEDMAR MARITIME     
METEKSAN IT GROUP     
MILSOFT     
MMI HOTEL GROUP/DINING SYSTEMS     
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP     
NA PLUS SA     
NET HOLDING     
O.R. BENGUR     
ONE TOUCH COMMUNICATIONS     
OPEL TURKIYE     
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION     
OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLASS CORPORATION     
OZER CONSTRUCTION     
RICHARD ARSENAULT/CHARLES RILEY     
RISK INVESTMENT     
SHELL INTERNATIONAL EP     
SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION     
SMISLOVA, KEHNEMUI & ASSOCIATES     
SPORTS INTERNATIONAL     
STM A.S.     
TEKFEN HOLDING     
THE RITZ-CARLTON ISTANBUL     
THRACE BASIN NATURAL GAS TURKIYE CORPORATION     
TM WORLDWIDE, INC.     
TOBACCO ASSOCIATES     
TRAKYA ELEKTRIK     
TURK EKONOMI BANKASI     
TURKISH AIRLINES     
TURKON AMERICA INC.     
TUSAS AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES     
TUSIAD-USA     
UNI-MAR ENERJI YATIRIMLARI A.S.     
VERIZON     
VESTEL DEFENSE INDUSTRIES     
VINNELL-BROWN & ROOT SERVICES     
VIRA CLUB DBA EDIS TEXTILE     
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY     
VOCELLI PIZZA     
WEICHERT REALTORS     

ATC - Aegean Members
ACDI/VOCA     
AMERICA-GEORGIA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL     
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF YOUNG POLITICAL LEADERS     
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE     
AMERICAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN TURKEY     
AMERICAN TURKISH SOCIETY     
AMERICAN-UZBEKISTAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE     
ANATOLIAN ARTISANS     
ASSEMBLY OF TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (ATAA)     
ATLANTIC RECORDS     
BAHCESEHIR UNIVERSITY     
CANADIAN-TURKISH BUSINESS COUNCIL     
CENTER FOR STUDIES ON TURKEY (ESSEN-GERMANY)     
CSIS (CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES)     
EAST WEST INSTITUTE     
FEDERATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS     
FEDERATION OF TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (FTAA)     
FREER GALLERY OF ART & ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY OF ART, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE     
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY     
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY     
GERMAN AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL     
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL     
HANOVER COLLEGE     
HASNA, INC.     
IBS RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY     
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS     
JINSA (THE JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS)     
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY     
NORTH AMERICAN KYRGYZ BUSINESS COUNCIL     
PhRMA (PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH & MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA)     
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY     
TACCIM® (TURKISH AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & MARITIME TRADE®)     
THE ANKARA CENTER FOR TURKISH POLICY STUDIES (ANKAM)     
THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL     
THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION     
THE EISENHOWER INSTITUTE     
THE KENAN INSTITUTE     
THE NIXON CENTER     
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE     
TURKISH CULTURAL FOUNDATION     
TURKISH FOREIGN TRADE FOUNDATION     
TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (ANKARA - TURKEY)     
TURKISH-AMERICAN BUSINESS FORUM     
TURKISH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE     
U.S.-ALGERIA BUSINESS COUNCIL     
U.S.-AZERBAIJAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE     
U.S.-AZERBAIJAN COUNCIL     
U.S.-GREECE BUSINESS COUNCIL     
U.S.-RUSSIA BUSINESS COUNCIL     
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO     
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSLYVANIA     
UNIVERSITY OF PUDGET SOUND     
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON     
WESTERN POLICY CENTER     
WORLD TRADE CENTER - BOSTON     
WORLD TRADE CENTER - NEW ORLEANS     
WORLD TRADE CENTER - NORTH CAROLINA

Members list as of April 2006  www.americanturkishcouncil.org

ATC Suggested Links

Turkish Government
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Ministry of Justice
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United States Government
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Voice of America
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State Department Travel Publications
Appalachian-Turkish Trade Site
CIA World Factbook Entry on Turkey

Organizations
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ESBAS/Aegean Free Zone

Other
 Business Turkey Interactive Marketing Group
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Turkey Pages on yahoo.com
Istanbul Stock Exchange
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Business guide to Turkey
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Milliyet New Paper
NTV

Travel
Visa Information
State Department Info Page
Legal Holidays

U.S. Congressman Wexler At TOBB

ANKARA 4/13/2006 www.anatoliantimes.com- Political, strategic and military relations between Turkey and the United States are at a good level, said U.S. Congressman Robert Wexler, U.S. House of Representatives Turkey Friendship Group Co-President, today.

Wexler met Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu at his office in Ankara this morning.

''Economic relations between Turkey and the United States must be made stronger,'' told Wexler.

Wexler stressed that Turkey is the second country in the world with the highest rate of economic growth behind China. ''Turkey is the 17th largest economy in the world. But Turkish exports made to the United States constitute only 0.25 percent of all exports made into the USA,'' noted Wexler.

Meanwhile, Hisarciklioglu said that TOBB is ready to contribute to economic ties between Turkey and the USA.

''Looking at our political and military relations in the past 50 years, our relations have been at the highest level possible. We must increase the trade volume between our two countries,'' expressed Hisarciklioglu.

Rifat Hisarciklioglu added that Wexler's visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) last year was important and meaningful. ''We talked about the need to end the economic isolation of the TRNC and opening this market to global community,'' underlined Hisarciklioglu.