Contact: Sammy McDavid
The ambassador of Turkey to the United States visits Jackson next week as a special guest of Mississippi State.
O. Faruk Logoglu will address the university-organized Executive Lecture Forum that begins at 11:45 a.m. Dec. 4 at Dennery's Restaurant. "The Key Role of Turkey in the 21st Century" is the topic of his presentation.
Occupying what geographically is known as Asia Minor, the Republic of Turkey both literally and figuratively bridges the worlds of Europe and the Middle East. A nation of more than 66 million people and an important United States ally, it borders on Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
While in Mississippi's capital city, Logoglu also will meet with Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, tour the capitol building and later be interviewed by Mississippi Educational Television. On the 5th, he travels to the Vicksburg National Military Park and related sites.
The Janos Radvanyi Center for International Security Studies at Mississippi State invited Ambassador Logoglu as part of its continuing information-sharing program for international, national and state government and business leaders. Earlier this year, ELF members heard presentations on, among others, leadership changes in the People's Republic of China; the Middle East, Al-Queda and the threat of weapons of mass destruction; and America's response to worldwide terrorism.
Logoglu, who authored a 1969 book about creation of the modern Turkish state, became ambassador to America last year after serving as undersecretary in his country's foreign affairs ministry. He previously served as ambassador to Denmark and Azerbaijan.
American educated, he holds a master's degree from Brandeis University and a doctorate from Princeton University. He also has served as a lecturer at Middlebury College in Vermont.
While not open to the general public, the Executive Lecture Forum welcomes interested members of the news media. For questions about this or other ELF programs, telephone (662) 325-8406.