Programs and Events

Ambassador Wilson speaks at IDEC in Istanbul

Ambassador Wilson Welcomes 26th Annual International Drug Enforcement Conference to Istanbul

^{July 8, 2008}

Ambassador Wilson spoke to a standing-room only crowd of nearly 500 people, including representatives from 93 countries and Turkish and international media, at the 26th annual International Drug Enforcement Conference. The Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration Michelle Leonhart addressed the group as head of the U.S. delegation. The Ambassador and Administrator Leonhart reiterated the solid U.S. commitment to fighting transnational narcotics crime and working with Turkey to stop the PKK's ability to finance its activities with illicit narcotics. IDEC was hosted in cooperation with the Government of Turkey; the Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay, the Governor of Istanbul Muammer Güler, and the Director General of the Turkish National Police Governor Oğuz Kağan Köksal spoke. Consul General Sharon Wiener also attended, along with Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Scott Burns.

• Full text of Ambassador Wilson's Speech