Turkish premier says meetings during US trip “positive”

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
11 Jun 05

New York, 11 June: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who
completed his meetings in New York left for Turkey on Saturday [11
June].

State Minister Ali Babacan, National Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul,
deputies and prime minister’s advisers who accompany Erdogan in his
visit to the USA, will also return to Turkey.

Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul is
expected to leave New York for Turkey later.

Before his departure, Prime Minister Erdogan attended the dinner
hosted by Ahmet Ertegun, one of the successful Turkish businessmen
living in the USA in his honour. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and
many American politicians, journalists and artists attended the night.

Erdogan also attended a reception hosted in his honour by the Turkish
community living in the USA. Addressing the reception, Erdogan said
that he held positive meetings in the USA.

“We had meetings about investments of big American companies and
businessmen in Turkey. Turkey is a stable country and the economic
parameters in Turkey are on the rise. Turkey stands on its feet,”
Erdogan said. Referring to employment problem in Turkey, Erdogan said
that the government worked hard to sort out this problem by the
investments made in service, agriculture and industry sectors.

Later Erdogan chatted with Turkish people living in the USA during the
reception.

Erdogan also met American businessmen on another occasion and was
interviewed by national public radio.

Erdogan got together with the Editorial Council of the New York Times
earlier the same day.

Prime Ministry Spokesman Akif Beki told the Anatolia that the editors
of the New York Times criticized the postponement of the Armenian
conference in Istanbul and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek’s remarks on
this subject.

Erdogan informed New York Times editors that Cicek’s statements
represented his own personal viewpoint and not that of the Turkish
government. “I stated that there is no legal barrier against such an
Armenian conference in Istanbul. I support such a conference although
I do not agree with the notions that were to be expressed at the
Istanbul conference,” commented Erdogan.

Erdogan expressed that Turkey has opened its archives to all
scholars. The New York Times may look at these archives if it wishes
to, noted Erdogan.

Erdogan made a call to all the New York Times editors to visit Turkey
and study the archives.

The New York Times editors assured Erdogan that they will include
Erdogan’s statements in their upcoming articles.

Erdogan also went to Connecticut to see the factory of Sikorsky
helicopters the same day.