NEW YORK - The Turkish Day Parade organized by the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) was held in New York on Saturday.
State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Istanbul deputy Egemen Bagis and Onur Oymen, Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Faruk Logoglu, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) Umit Pamir, Turkey's Consul General in New York Omer Onhon, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Representative Resat Caglar, FTAA President Kaya Buyukataman joined the parade.
The parade which started from Madison Avenue ended in Dag Hammarskjold park.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent messages due to the parade.
In his message, Sezer said, ''we are proud to see that the activities and success of the Turkish society in the United States continue to increase. I would like to state that efficient participation of our society in the political life in the United States will increase the adaptation process. It is our main hope that our young people who are a strong tie for the future of relations with the United States will become respected members of the society in which they are living without losing their culture and identities.''
Emphasizing the importance of the Turkish day parade in the United States, Erdogan said, ''this parade not only shows the solidarity of our citizens and kinsmen living in the United States but also enhances our belief and confidence in the future of the Turkish society in the United States. Turkish-U.S. relations will be further improved thanks to the bridge of friendship established by our citizens between the two countries.''
U.S. President George W. Bush and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not send messages to this year's Turkish Day.
However, New York senator and former president Bill Clinton's wife Hillary Clinton issued a message and congratulated Turkish Day Parade.
Congress member Carolyn Maloney sent a congratulatory message.
(BRC-AY) 18.05.2003