U.S. Ambassador Expresses Gratitude To Turkish Government For Support In Wake Of September 11th Terrorist Attacks

IZMIR (A.A) - 21.05.2002 - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson said on Tuesday that they were grateful to Turkish government for its support in the wake of September 11th terrorist attacks.
Pearson, who came to western Izmir province for the inauguration of U.S. Consulate, visited the Governorship and Mayor's Office.
They would work to bring more tourists and investments from the United States to Aegean, Pearson noted.
Pearson said that the re-opening of the consulate indicated their determination.
Annie Pforzheimer would be appointed as the U.S. Consul to Izmir, Pearson stated.
Pearson said that thus, they would further improve relations with Izmir.
When a reporter reminded him about the warnings of the United States that an attack similar to that of the September 11 could be staged again and asked about his views, Pearson said that if the reporter was meaning the recent statement, they were grateful to Turkish government for its support.
Pearson pointed out that none of the countries supported the United States as much as Turkey did.
They had to issue that warning for the sake of their citizens, Pearson said.
Pearson noted that he flew to southern Antalya province via Istanbul and returned back to Ankara on Saturday.
He also flew to Izmir the same day by a Turkish Airlines (THY) flight, Pearson said.
Pearson stated that they had received such an information and that those who wished could arrange their travelling plans according to this information.
When a reporter reminded him that the alarm was valid till May 20 and asked if his visit to Izmir meant the end of this alarm, Pearson said that the alarm was given till May 22.
Pearson noted that he travelled for four times during this period and that he had one more trip.
When a reporter reminded that some U.S. consulates were closed after September 11 and asked why the consulate in Izmir was re-opened, Pearson said that they had valid reasons for opening the consulate.
Pearson stated that Izmir was an economically dynamic region and its growth potential was high.
Izmir had also importance for improvement of Turkish-Greek relations, Pearson said.
Pearson pointed out that they were in Izmir for friendship, opportunities and chances.
They would also open Izmir Consulate even if the September 11th terrorist attacks had never been staged, Pearson said.
Izmir Governor Alaaddin Yuksel said that he was pleased with the re-opening of the consulate, and that the consulate would help the introduction of industrialists and businessmen from Izmir to the world.