President Asad Of Syria Receives Directors Of Turkish Media

ISTANBUL - President Bashar Al-Asad of Syria, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, received on Thursday high-level directors of Turkish media at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace.
High-level directors of TV channels and newspapers including Mehmet Ali Birand, Ali Kirca, Can Atakli, Hikmet Bila, Mehmet Yilmaz, Enis Berberoglu, Nilgun Cerrahoglu, Ferai Tinc and Orhan Erinc were in attendance at the meeting which lasted for about 45 minutes.
Later, President Asad and his wife Esma Asad visited the Topkapi Palace.
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler hosted a luncheon in honor of President Asad and his wife.
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, 52nd Armored Division Commander General Hüseyin Nusret Tasdeler and Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah also partook in the luncheon.
Tight security measures have been taken in and around the palace during the visit of President Asad.
(UK) 08.01.2004