FOREIGN MINISTRY WARNS DEPUTIES ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES ABROAD

New Anatolian, Turkey
March 20 2006

The Foreign Ministry yesterday warned deputies to brief Turkish
diplomatic missions beforehand about their possible special contacts
and organizations in foreign countries, so that problems that may
arise can be minimized or prevented.

The warning came in direct link to rallies held in Berlin and Lyon,
France over the weekend to protest the recognition of Armenian genocide
claims in European countries, events which risk souring Turkey’s
diplomatic relations with the two key European Union countries.

The Turkish Parliament also sent the same warning to political party
groups saying that although the persons who make arrangements of
special meetings or organizations are widely known in Turkey, they
might have negative reputations outside of the country. The latest
reference was a thinly-veiled one toward Dogu Perincek, the leader
of the Labor Party (IP), although there was no specific name in
the statement.

It was underlined in the warning that if the deputies inform Turkish
representations before their planned visits and meetings, the problems
coming from these events might be reduced to a minimum level.