Washington Contacts Of Tobb Delegation Cancelled Due To Hurricane Isabel

WASHINGTON - Delegation of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB), which is headed by Rifat Hisarciklioglu, will return to Turkey on Friday via New York as their contacts in Washington with American officials and think-tank organizations were cancelled due to hurricane Isabel.
The delegation would attend a meeting held by Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think-tank organization, and also hold meetings with officials of American administration.
TOBB delegation could not hold meetings as mass transportation was cancelled and official institutions were closed due to the hurricane.
The delegation was planning to discuss views and suggestions regarding the role of Turkish private sector in efforts for the reconstruction of Iraq after war.
TOBB had formed a ''U.S.A.-Turkey Contact Group'' for the efforts to strengthen the economic relations between Turkey and the United States by signing an agreement with CSIS.
Hisarciklioglu and former U.S. State Department Undersecretary for relations with Europe and CSIS adviser Richard Burt are co-chairmen of the contact group. A reception, which would be held in CSIS, and TOBB's meetings with officials of U.S. State Department and congress could not be held due to hurricane Isabel.
TOBB delegation had earlier held meetings in Canada to attend the Third World Chamber Congress. The delegation will return to Turkey via New York today.
(GC-AÖ) 19.09.2003