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Consul General Sharon Wiener Speaks at Turkish-U.S. Terrorism Extradition Workshop in Istanbul
June 24, 2008
Consul General Sharon Wiener delivered opening remarks at a historic three-day workshop on international terrorist extradition issues in Istanbul, June 24, sponsored by the Turkish Ministry of Justice and the U.S. Department of Justice. Top prosecutors and judges from Turkey, the United States, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iraq, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland engaged in extensive and open discussions about international requirements, practical considerations and best practices in overcoming legal obstacles inherent in extraditing terrorists. Speaking of the U.S.-Turkish relationship, the Consul General said, "There is no higher priority on our bilateral agenda than the fight against terrorism... Without cooperative and concerted efforts, the only winners in this fight are the terrorists; the losers are the victims and society itself." The Consul General also noted the historic participation of Iraq, particularly at the critical time when Iraq is creating a new legal system. Consul General Wiener later hosted the participants and representatives from their embassies and consulates in Turkey at a reception in honor of the conference at her official residence.