April 2002-Issue 46

Heavy Traffic of Ministers in Western Thrace
In Recent days because of coming elections there has been heavy traffic of ministers in Western Thrace.
The first visitor of our region was Minister of Justice Petsalnikos at the beginning of April. Minister Petsalnikos was in Komotini to join a Conference organized by the students of Dimokritos University-Law School.

On Saturday, April 13 the Minister of Interior Kostas Skandalidis visited our region. He started his visit from Ksanthi and came together with local authorities and listened to their problems and demands. Then, he visited village Seleron and made a speech there.

The other visitor of the region on Saturday, April 13 was the Minister of Development Akis Chohatzopoulos. The minister was here for a day-trip and firstly visited the hydroelectric plant in the Industrial Area of Komotini. Then, he made a speech in the province meeting-room and in the press conference he informed journalists about the investments on energy.

Turkish Ambassador in Western Thrace
Turkish Ambassador Yigit Alpogan visited Western Thrace between the dates 24-27 April. During his stay in Western Thrace he visited both local authorities and Turkish villages and he met with intense interest of Turkish people.

During his visit Consul-General Huseyin Avni Botsali accompanied him.

He got in touch with government officials and visited Yaka region of Komotini and mountainous and plain villages in Ksanthi.

Prosperous Week of Birth
Western Thrace Turkish Minority Sermon and Enlightenment Committee organized panel discussions in different villages both in Komotini and Ksanthi.

The first panel discussion of this year was held on Saturday, April 20 in Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association meeting room in Komotini, and the second one was held on 21 April in Ksanthi Turkish Union building.

The panel discussions were repeated on Wednesday, April 24 in village Ehinos in Ksanthi and on Friday, April 26 in Kehroz village in Komotini.


May 2002-Issue 47

Constancy in Friendship and Cooperation
The governor of Edirne, Fahri Yucel and a large committee visited Komotini upon the invitation of Governor of Rodopi between the dates 24-25 May.

In response to visit of the governor of Rodopi, Stergios Stavropoulos and Greek Committee to Edirne beforehand, the governor Fahri Yucel, Deputy Selim Parlar, Rector of Thrace University, Prof. Dr. Osman Inci and the Chairmen of different associations were here.

After official meetings the two counties' representatives divided into groups and worked together to improve the possibilities of labor unions.

Friendship Blew in Celebrations of May 14
The 82nd anniversary of the Independence Day of Komotini was celebrated with ceremonies as it before.

HOY-TUR from Turkey joined to this year's celebrations and impressed the audience with their magnificent demonstrations.

The Turkish group made its first demonstration on Sunday, May 12 in village Kalhas. The group showed figures from Black-Sea, Artvin, Adiyaman, Silivri, and Bilicik Regions.

The speeches made during the ceremonies consisted of friendship themes.

Thrace 2002 Trade Exhibition Organized
The 11th Thrace 2002 Trade Exhibition was opened in the industrial Area of Komotini on May 22, Wednesday. In the Exhibition there were agricultural machines and products, furniture, construction materials, electrical equipments, textile productions and stands of different organizations.

It drew attention that there were many participants from Turkey. Edirne, Balikesir, Izmir Chambers of Industry, East-West Thrace Municipalities Union "Trakyakent-Polis' had their stands in exhibition. Many businessmen visited the exhibition.

There were stands of members of Western Thrace Turkish Minority in the exhibition also: Faik Furniture, Dior Stores, Yusuf Furniture, Lassa and Karbosan, Molla Achmet Mechmet's Iron Trade.

Penalty of Mufti of Ksanthi was Cancelled
Greek High Court cancelled the decision of Larisa Court about the Mufti of Ksanthi, Mechmet Emin Aga.

Athens News Agency (ANA) announced that, according to the Greek High Court decision in accordance with the European Convention on human Rights, Article 9 Aga didn't commit a crime.

Members of Young Academician's Club met in Eskisehir
Members of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Young Academician's Club met in a congress organized in Eskisehir between the dates 25-26 May. Students from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Eskisehir joined to the Congress that was held in Conference Room of Eskisehir Osmangazi University.

In the framework of the activities of Congress a panel discussion was organized on " From Past Till Today the Social Construction in Western Thrace" on Saturday, May 25. The speakers were Ilknur Chalil (Director General of the Periodical Voice of Teacher) and Prof. Dr. Cihat Ozonder, Head of KOK Social and Strategical Investigations Vakf.

On Sunday, May 26 members of Young Academician's Club shared their opinions on future planning in Western Thrace. At the end of the Congress, the students divided into groups to work effectively in future.

Traditional Cross Country Race
Komotini Youth Association organized Traditional Cross Country Race as it has been for 16 years on May 19, Sunday.

After the races in five categories the Board of Komotini Youth Association gave the successful sportsmen their awards. Then, the traditional folk dancers' demonstration attracted interest of people.

Handicraft Exhibitions
Ksanthi Turkish Union and Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Handicrafts classes organized their traditional exhibitions and demonstrated their works that they did during their classes.