ANKARA (Huriyet)–Turkey recently announced that it has extended its contract with Patten Boggs public relations for another three months–to begin on September 15.
Turkey has paid Patten Boggs $2 million for a year of lobbying activity in the United States. Turkey will pay another $500,000 to the firm for the three-month extension which expires on Dec. 15.
In accordance with the contract signed by State Minister Cavit Kavak in the name of the Turkish Republic on 15 September 1997–Patten Boggs is expected to do the following:
*Give advice on all legal matters.
*Represent Turkey on legal matters.
*Give advice on economic and trade issues.
*Contribute to the enhancement of Turkey’s international business ties.
*Enhance Turkey’s ties with the public and the government.
*Put forward commercial proposals.
The company–with which a contract has been signed to fulfill the above tasks–was paid $1 million on September 30–1997–$500,000 on April 15 1998 and $500,000 on July 15 1998–the Huriyet reported.
According to the official records in Washington–which are open to the public and are available for inspection–in one year–Patten Boggs secured certain appointmen’s for visiting Turkish officials and organized receptions.
Having noticed shortcomings in Patten Boggs’ lobbying activities–the Turkish officials asked for cancellation of the new three-month contract–and that to obtain the new contract the firm has told the Turkish officials that it is going to cooperate with another lobbying firm.
Patten Boggs–which is a well-known law firm without much lobbying experience–is said to be the favored by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.
Unal Durak–a Turk working for this firm–is said to have played a role in the signing and the extension of the contract.
