ANKARA/ISTANBUL - Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said on Friday that Istanbul was ready for upcoming NATO Summit to be held between July 28 and 29, 2004.
Guler told reporters that all necessary measures were taken for the NATO Summit.
Policemen held an exercise to escort foreign guests from Istanbul`s Ataturk Airport to hotels, and to protect delegates.
Meanwhile, devices and equipment to be used during U.S. President George W. Bush`s visit to Turkey were brought to Istanbul in a C-130 cargo plane of the U.S. Air Forces.
On the other hand, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was given a briefing on NATO Summit and security measures taken in Istanbul.
The Turkish Airlines (THY) warned ticketholders that some delays could occur in domestic and international flights due to NATO Summit.
Middle East Technical University (METU) Economics Society held a special meeting on NATO Summit with the participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations.
The Turkish parliament released a statement calling on the government to take necessary initiatives to help Albania, Macedonia and Croatia to become NATO members in the future.
Documentary Filmmakers` Association called on everyone having a camera to document NATO days in Istanbul between June 26 and 30. The pictures will be gathered and made a documentary film later.
Meanwhile, protests against NATO Summit have been continuing in different parts of Turkey. Several groups held demonstrations in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya to protest the upcoming summit.
A group of members of some political parties and some non-governmental organizations laid a black wreath in front of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara to protest the NATO Summit.
(UK-ULG) 25.06.2004