White House rehersal

       The "general rehersal" for the meeting Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will have with Bill Clinton on September 28th in the White House, has been made in New York between the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the two countries.
       Problematic issues have been discussed in the meeting of Ismail Cem and Madeleine Albright.
       The issues have been discussed within the following framework:
       CYPRUS: Albright emphasized that they are a G-8 member and that they desire that direct meetings be started immediately about Cyprus in accordance with the decisions of the Security Council. Cem on the other hand emphasized that indirect meetings at this stage seemed more realistic. Turkish diplomats stated after the meeting that the US side was not forcing Turkey on the issue of Cyprus.
       IRAQ: This issue has been brought up by Ismail Cem and he particularly emphasized that they were against the Holland-Britain draft that suggests the sanctions over Iraq to be partly removed. US on the other hand supports this draft.
       HUMAN RIGHTS: Albright has stated that they found Turkey's attempts like bringing an amnesty for the press very "positive". Albright emphasized that reforms on human rights should be continued.
       The two sides also agreed upon doing whatever is necessary for the Baku-Ceyhan Line to be realized. The US side stated that they would continue with their support of Turkey's candidacy to the European Union. Ideas have also been exchanged about the last condition of Kosova and relations with Syria.