WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. President George W. Bush issued a message on Thursday upon the 80th foundation anniversary of the Turkish Republic and noted that the vision of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who foresaw a secular, democratic and peaceful Turkey was important today as it was 80 years ago.
Bush said that the U.S. would continue to actively support the admission of Turkey to the EU.
Noting that Turkey and the U.S. had a strong partnership based on shared values, friendship and mutual respect, Bush said that those dynamic relations were surrounded by cooperation in security, energy, trade and human rights.
Bush stated that the partnership strengthened while Turkey was progressing towards EU membership and while the two countries were trying to set up freedom, democracy, tolerance and prosperity in Iraq and the Middle East. The U.S. was grateful to the vital contributions of Turkey to fight with global terrorism including its contribution to the international force in Afghanistan.
Bush remarked that the U.S. supported reforms undertaken in human rights, politics and economics by Turkey, adding that the reforms were important for further development of Turkey, for increasing the prosperity of Turkish citizens, and for being a promising model for the Middle East countries.
Bush stated that the U.S. would continue to support actively the admission of Turkey to the EU and that the U.S. would set up stronger and closer bilateral relations with its ally Turkey more than ever while Turkey continued to undertake reforms.
Bush expressed his best wishes for success and prosperity of Turkish Republic at the end of his message.
WOLFOWITZ SAYS GENEROUS PROPOSAL OF TURKEY IS IMPORTANT
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz attended the Republic Day reception held by Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Wolfowitz and Myers answered questions about sending of Turkish soldiers to Iraq during the reception hosted by Turkish Ambassador Faruk Logoglu and his wife Mevhibe Logoglu.
Wolfowitz said that the thing that mattered was the generous proposal Turkey made and its showing that it could take certain risks. There was so much sensitivity about foreign soldiers in Iraq at the moment, he said.
Wolfowitz noted that Turkey and Iraq would be neighbours forever and the U.S. hoped that they would be secular and democratic neighbours.
Myers didn't want to respond to questions about Turkish soldiers, but he only said that the studies still continued.
Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Anne Krueger, IMF Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam and former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson also attended the reception.
OCTOBER 29 ANNOUNCED AS ''TURKISH REPUBLIC DAY'' IN BOSTON
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced October 29 as ''Turkish Republic Day'' in Boston.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney also announced October 29 as ''Turkish Republic Day'' in the state.
A ceremony was held on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Turkish Republic in front of Boston municipality building.
The 8th Turkish Culture Festival also started in Boston. The festival aims to promote Turkish culture.
(EÖ-AÖ) 30.10.2003