Dervis Joins CHP
TUSIAD Washington Office - Former Economy Minister Kemal Dervis officially became a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP) during a ceremony in Ankara August 23. Dervis had already said he would join the Republican People's Party August 21, after failing to create an alliance of left parties in Turkey. During the ceremony, Dervis stated: "Not only from members of the (Republican People's Party) ... we need support from everybody. We must forget old differences and ideas of left and right and adopt a democracy converging on the center. More

Turkish American community embraces Turkish Basketball Team
The Turkish Times - The Turkish American community has warmly welcomed the National Men's Basketball Team of Turkey that arrived in the United States for the World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis. From the moment the team landed in Detroit, MI, crowds of Turkish Americans from all ages gave them a hearty welcome. Members of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) cheered the Twelve Giant Men (12 Dev Adam) on as they played practice games in the Detroit area and tended to the Team's needs in their town. More

Sureyya Ayhan Wins European Gold in 1500 M
Aybars Erdemli, The Turkish Times - Turkish track star Sureyya Ayhan produced a great performance to win the finals of the women's 1500 meters at the 18th European Athletics Championship in Munich. Leading from the gun to the finish, Ms. Ayhan fought off a surging and pre-race favorite Gabriella Szabo from Romania to become Turkey's first 1500 m European champion in the fastest time of the year. More

40 Turkish American Youths Visit Turkey
Ipek Aydin, ATAA Research Assistant, Special to the Turkish Times - Between 16-29 July, a total of 40 young Turkish Americans visited Turkey as part of a youth program organized for the first time in cooperation with the Turkish government and Turkish American associations. The visit came about through the initiation of last year's ATAA delegation to Ankara and created a unique opportunity for the students to experience Turkish traditions and culture, to discover the country's rich history, and to enjoy its pristine natural beauty. The 40 were chosen by the local Turkish American Associations in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy and Consulate Generals and represented a solid cross-section of Turkish Americans throughout the United States. More

Turkey, Iraqi Kurdish Tensions High
Louis Meixler, The Associated Press, ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Talk of a possible U.S. attack on Iraq is exacerbating tensions between Turkey and an Iraqi Kurdish faction - two crucial allies if the United States takes military action against Saddam Hussein's regime. Turkey is worried that the Iraqi Kurds, who run an autonomous zone in northern Iraq, would try to carve out their own state if Saddam is overthrown. Turkish officials fear that would encourage Kurdish separatist movements in Turkey. More

ATAA Welcomes two new Interns
Osman Tat, ATAA Grassroots Coordinator - ATAA welcomes two new interns to its central office. Ms.Ipek Aydin and Mr.Suat Aybars Erdemli join ATAA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Ipek is a graduate in Business Administration from Anadolu University in Eskisehir and she recently earned her Masters in Political Science from IUP. More