ATAA Praises Free & Fair Elections in Turkey
November 4, 2002, Washington, D.C. -- The Assembly of Turkish American Association (ATAA) praises the Turkish nation for holding peaceful, free and fair elections on November 3rd.

We wish success to the Justice and Development Parti (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi - AKP) which has been given the mandate by the Turkish nation to form the new government, as well as to the Republican People's Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi - CHP), the only other party to be represented in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Both parties will carry great responsibilities in the time ahead. We have confidence that the government to be formed will protect the founding principles of the Turkish Republic and its Constitution, commit itself to the strengthening of democracy, secularism, the rule of law and human rights and adopt policies that will strengthen Turkey's commitment to progressiveness and contemporary civilization. ATAA wishes the new Turkish Government success as it deals with fundamental challenges such as strengthening Turkey's economy, fighting corruption and cronyism and working toward a more just wealth distribution.

We have confidence that the new government will continue Turkey's commitments to her allies in conformity with Tury's national interests. In this vein, ATAA pledges to assist the new Turkish Government in maintaining Turkey's strong relationship and alliance with the United States.