WASHINGTON - A delegation of ministers from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member nations including Turkey would hold meetings next week at the United Nations in New York and in Washington, the United States with the aim to revive the ''road map'' process between Palestine and Israel, sources said.
Diplomatic sources said on Friday that representatives of Turkey, Senegal which currently acts as the OIC President, previous OIC President Malaysia, Morocco and Palestine would be in the OIC delegation. Sources said that Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul or State Minister Besir Atalay would represent Turkey.
Sources said that the OIC delegation comprising Turkish, Senegalese, Malaysian and Moroccan foreign ministers and Palestinian representative would firstly meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York on June 2 to seek support to their initiative. The OIC delegation is envisaged to have a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on June 3.
OIC delegation and Powell are expected to hold a joint news conference in Washington.
OIC's steps are considered as a part of the initiatives that have been launched under the ''quartet'' mechanism that was formed by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia regarding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
OIC earlier launched similar initiatives in Russia and EU Term President Ireland with participation of Turkish ministers. The OIC initiative will be completed with meetings in the United States and at the United Nations.
(MS-AÖ) 28.05.2004