South Florida Turks Welcomed Rep. Robert Wexler and VIP Guests
Meltem Birkegren, Mahmut Esat Ozan, Turkish Forum - An invitation extended to the aides of Congress-man Robert Wexler, (Dem.FL.), his Legislative Director, Jonathan Katz, his Press Secretary, Lale Manaoux, and his Fund Raiser, Daniella Howard brought together around 50 guests in Florida last month. The gracious hostess for the event was Mrs. Alev Quiniones.

This successful affair was the brainchild of Meltem Birkegren, of Turkish Forum BOD. She had the support of Turkish Forums active members Drs. Ali Manizade and his charming wife Fevziye Manizade, and Prof. Mahmut Esat Ozan of Turkish Forum Advisory Board and many other local Turks and Turkish-Americans.

Besides offering our guests abundant delicious home-made Turkish food, the purpose of the meeting became centered on the theme of Turkey's traditional and perennial problems such as the Armenian issue, The Greek and Greek Cypriot question, and the newly emerging Iraqi Turkmen and Kurdish subjects.

Fevziye Manizade enlightened our guests and the audience on the Armenians, Ali Manizade talked about the Cyprus issue, Prof. Mahmut Esat Ozan gave up to date information on the Iraqi Turcomans. He solicited inquiries and comments from the audience, and invited Jonathan Katz to inform the guests on the point of view of the Turkish Caucus in the Congress of the United States of America, in Washington, D.C.

A sumptuous banquet followed the get together. Ms. Meltem Birkegren gave each of the invitees a voluminous document she had prepared and published on the subjects of the day: Armenian, Cypriot, Turcoman and Kurdish issues. Jonathan Katz, representing Congressman Robert Wexler was also given an oil painting done by Mrs. Nukhet Durudogan, depicting a lovely landscape seen through her bedroom window at home in Bodrum, Turkey. This thoughtful gift was slated to be placed in the office of Florida Congressman ,Robert Wexler in Washington, D.C. It and other presents were a token showing how much Turks appreciated his work, alongside the efforts of Tom Lantos, (Dem, CA) and 43 other legislators in the U.S. Congressional Caucus of Turkish-American Affairs. Most Turks in this country and abroad think that the Caucus is the most meaningful benefit Turkiye has ever had the chance to acquire.

While good-byes were said, several photos and videos were shot. At this moment the famous blue-colored "evil-eye" emulates are in the possession of our Washingtonian guests.

All in all a pleasant and beneficial time was had by all.

Congressman Wexler will soon be traveling to Turkey to meet with Turkish officials and review the recent developments in Turkish-American relations.

meozan@turkishforum.com, meltem@Turkishforum.com