The Honorable Charles H. Percy
Charles Percy and Associates
900 19th Street, N.W.
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Chuck:
Thank you for your letter inviting me to be the honored speaker with Prime Minister Demirel at the ground breaking ceremony for the Environmental Technology Park in Turkey. I regret that due to scheduling conflicts, I will not be able to attend the ceremony.
As you know, preservation of the global environment continues to be one of my highest priorities. One issue raised at the Earth Summit in Rio last year was the necessity of creative partnerships between more industrialized countries and the rest of the world to encourage the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. As a participant at the Rio talks, I am encouraged by the establishment of the Izmir Environmental Technology Park and consider it an important step toward the realization of that goal.
I commend your efforts in establishing the first technology focused solely on environmental issues. The Izmir Park's work toward solutions to Turkey's air and water pollution, as well as waste management, will provide a unique opportunity to world. I wish you much luck for its success.
I certainly appreciate the invitation to speak and truly regret not being able to attend the ceremony. I look forward to hearing more about this innovative park.
Please send my highest regards to Prime Minister Demirel.
