ANKARA: Erdogan Leaves New York For Turkey

Erdogan Leaves New York For Turkey

Turkish Press
June 11 2005

NEW YORK (AA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who
completed his meetings in New York, left for Turkey on Saturday.

State Minister Ali Babacan, National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul,
deputies and prime ministry advisers who accompany Erdogan in his
visit to the US, will also return to Turkey.

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

ERTEGUN’S DINNER

Before his departure, Prime Minister Erdogan attended the dinner
hosted by Ahmet Ertegun, one of the successful Turkish businessmen
living in the US, in his honor.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and many American politicians,
journalists and artists attended the night.

RECEPTION HOSTED BY TURKS LIVING IN US

Erdogan also attended a reception hosted in his honor by the Turkish
community living in the US.

Addressing the reception, Erdogan said that he held positive meetings
in the US.

“We had meetings about the investments of the 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 the Turkish people living in the US during
the reception.

Erdogan also met American businessmen on another occasion and was
interviewed by National Public Radio.

ERDOGAN VISITS THE NEW YORK TIMES

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

Prime Ministry Spokesman Akif Beki told the AA 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 the 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 NY 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 Skorsky
helicopters the same day.