**THE ACTORS FUND** is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.

All the work of The Actors Fund is supported by contributions from generous individuals and organizations throughout the country. The Actors Fund is registered as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service and donations and membership gifts to The Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

**A Legacy for the Arts** The Edwin Forrest Society recognizes those who have included The Actors Fund in their estate plan. A bequest or planned gift can be made through a will, a trust, a gift annuity, an insurance policy or a retirement plan. If you would like more information about leaving a legacy for the arts, please call Wally Munro at 212.221.7300, ext. 128.

**The Actors Fund, for everyone in entertainment.**

Celebrating 125 years.

BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL, President

JOSEPH P. BENINCASA, Executive Director

INA SORENS CLARK, Chief Development Officer

JUDY FISH, Director of Membership

**NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS**

729 Seventh Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10019 212.221.7300

For more information, visit our website

www.actorsfund.org

**Your support
gets you the
best seats
in the house!**

Celebrating 125 years.

**MEMBER BENEFITS**

CONBROU7 COVER PHOTO © JAY BRADY

The Actors Fund Gets You the Best Seats in the House and More...
The Exciting Benefits of Membership

<table><thead><tr><th>MPION<br>$0-$999</th><th>INNER CIRCLE<br>$1,000-$1,499</th><th>PREMIERE<br>INNER CIRCLE<br>$1,500-$2,499</th><th>In the Spotlight<br>SILVER<br>$2,500-$4,999</th><th>In the Spotlight<br>GOLD<br>$5,000+</th><th>MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Subscription to <strong>MARQUEE</strong>,<br>The Actors Fund newsletter</td></tr><tr><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Notification of all Actors Fund<br>Special Performances and Events</td></tr><tr><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Our popular Actors Fund<br>baseball cap</td></tr><tr><td>2<br>on-Fri)</td><td>2<br>(any day)</td><td>4<br>(any day)</td><td>6*<br>(any day)</td><td>8*<br>(any day)</td><td>Access to purchase HOUSE SEAT<br>TICKETS at regular box office<br>prices for shows on Broadway and<br>selected theatres in Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>FREE ticket(s) to the Special<br>Performance of your choice<br>(additional tickets available<br>for purchase)</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Two complimentary tickets to<br>a series of exclusive private<br>screenings of film releases</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Recognition for your support<br>on our website and the<br>"In the Spotlight" page of the<br><strong>MARQUEE</strong> newsletter</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td><td>Personalized concierge phone<br>service for immediate access to<br>the best available House Seats</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>✓</td><td>Complimentary Insider's<br>Lunch with Artists</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Actors Fund, Inc.
A non-profit organization
performances and events. When Broadway
benefit for The Actors Fund, it's the

Roll, and Brian Stokes Mitchell; Heather Headley, Lillias White,
Nili Bassman (PHOTOS © JAY BRADY); Liza Minnelli (PHOTO © GETTY IMAGES)

If you have any membership questions, please call Judy Fish at The Actors Fund at (212) 221-7300 ext. 127.

# A Vital Safety Net of Services

## Support of The Actors Fund

makes a dramatic difference... allowing us to provide critical services to actors, dancers, musicians, designers, costumers, writers, stagehands and others who work in performing arts and entertainment.

Some of The Actors Fund's programs include:

* Mental Health Counseling Services

* Chemical Dependency Programs

* HIV/AIDS Initiative

* Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative

* Financial Assistance

* Actors Work Program

* Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic

* Health Insurance Resource Center

* Affordable and Supportive Housing

(above) Brian Stokes Mitchell, Actors Fund President; Bebe Neuwirth, Actors Fund Trustee; and Joe Benincasa, Actors Fund Executive Director (PHOTO © JAY BRADY)

## Your Membership Makes a Difference

Our lives are enriched every day through the exciting work of those in performing arts and entertainment. Without the men and women who pursue careers in this profession, there would be no children's theatre... no classic films... no Broadway musicals... no summer concerts. Yet fewer than five percent of actors actually make a living at their trade alone and thirty percent of all professionals in the entertainment industry are uninsured.

The Actors Fund enriches all of our lives by ensuring that there is a vibrant entertainment arts community for us to enjoy. Each year, more than 8,000 professionals in the entertainment industry turn to us for help during times of crisis or transition.

**Your support gets you the best seats in the house! Please look inside for the membership level that's right for you!**

(above) Peter Gallagher and Jane Krakowski in The Actors Fund's benefit concert of FUNNY GIRL (PHOTO © JAY BRADY)

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Celebrating 125 years.

OCT 29 2007

Join The Actors Fund today and get on the inside track for
Special Performances, VIP seating for shows and the chance
to enjoy the performing arts up close and personal.

Dear Friend,

I have good news for you! I am going to put you at the front of the line for the best seats in the house for Broadway shows, get you free tickets and invite you to some of the hottest events in town.

In just a moment, I will tell you how you can get on the inside track for all the best the arts and entertainment world has to offer. But first, I want to tell you about The Actors Fund and the remarkable things that are possible with the support of friends like you.

For nearly 125 years, The Actors Fund has been a safety net to help artists and entertainers in need. Since 1882 many people realized the critical need to support those who help bring the arts to life — in front of and behind the curtain. Buffalo Bill Cody, RH Macy, Edwin Booth and scores of others stepped forward to create The Actors Fund and support their colleagues in arts and entertainment.

When you think of artists and entertainers today, you probably imagine some of the most successful folks ... the ones who've made it big. But they are an exception. True, things are much better for artists now than they were 125 years ago, _but many people don't realize that the vast majority of men and women in entertainment are barely getting by_.

Few artists have guaranteed employment for more than three to six months. Fewer than one out of three has adequate health coverage.

_So where do struggling entertainment professionals turn when they are in need of more than just a round of applause? The answer is The Actors Fund._

My name is Brian Stokes Mitchell. I'm one of the fortunate ones, enjoying a successful career in entertainment. Now, I am also deeply honored to serve as President of The Actors Fund and to help support other artists on their path to success.

I'm writing to invite you to join with me in a unique partnership for the arts by becoming the newest member of The Actors Fund today with a

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contribution of $50, $100, $250 or more. And with your gift, you will enjoy
the many fabulous benefits of membership.

But more importantly, you'll be supporting thousands of entertainment professionals who count on the help we provide. And the number of artists in need is growing by leaps and bounds.

Your gift will allow us to provide vital services and financial assistance to more than 8,000 entertainment industry professionals every year. Whether they are facing a serious illness, financial problems, a housing crisis or unemployment, The Actors Fund is here to help the people who brighten our stages and screens and make the world a better place for us all. But we can't do it without the support of friends like you.

That's why we really need you to become the newest member of The Actors Fund today.

What You'll Get in Return

When you join, we'll show our appreciation for your support by giving you insider access to the performances and artists you love. You choose the membership level that's right for you.

One of our most popular membership levels is the $100 Friend Level. When you join as a Friend, you'll receive:

* Notification of all Actors Fund events.

* Subscription to our *Marquee* newsletter with news and information about the world of performing arts.

* Our popular Actors Fund baseball cap.

* Access to purchase two outstanding house seat tickets, only available through The Actors Fund, for one Broadway show or one performance at selected theatres in Los Angeles (available Monday through Thursday).

Whether you can join at the Friend Level or another level, please know that every dollar will make a difference. Joining is as easy as returning the enclosed form with your gift today.

To help you understand how your gift will make a difference, I want to tell you about a talented young woman named Leah. The next time you go to a Broadway show, you might just see Leah on stage. Like hundreds of other artists, Leah has stayed on the path to a successful career in the arts thanks to The Actors Fund.

Just as I did, Leah dreamed of coming to New York and making her living as an actor and singer. And she did it. Working her way from show to show, Leah was living her dream.

Then, the unthinkable happened. A seemingly insignificant lump on her neck grew

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bigger and more painful. But Leah was determined to finish her show at the Paper Mill Playhouse. After all, she was only 24; it couldn't be anything serious. And, of course, the show must go on.

When her doctor said the words "thyroid cancer," Leah's dream was shattered. What would she do? Like most artists, she was living paycheck-to-paycheck. She had no health coverage. How was she going to pay her rent, let alone the bills for her operation and hospital stay? And what if the surgery damaged her vocal chords? What would happen to her career? As a performer myself, I know how terrified she must have been at the thought of losing her voice.

Leah was frightened and overwhelmed ... but she was not alone. She turned to The Actors Fund to take the weight off her shoulders. One of our social workers helped Leah navigate a maze of public and private resources to cover the costs of her doctor visits, surgery and hospital stay. We provided emergency financial assistance to cover her rent ... we took all the steps necessary so that she could concentrate on what mattered most — getting better.

I'm proud that we were there for Leah ... and for thousands of other entertainment and performing arts professionals each year. But our ability to "be there" depends on friends like you. And the demand for our services is higher than ever before.

With the support of friends like you, we can carry out a comprehensive array of services. Just a sampling would include:

The Actors Fund's **HIV/AIDS Initiative** provides dedicated social workers and other resources to help men and women with HIV/AIDS learn to live with and manage their disease.

Fewer than 5% of all actors make a living at their trade alone. The Fund's **Actors Work Program** provides employment training, tuition assistance and job placement support to help entertainment professionals find dignified sideline careers.

Artists and entertainers are twice as likely to be uninsured as the general population. The Actors Fund's **Health Insurance Resource Center** is a vital source of information on getting health insurance, as well as financial aid resources and payment assistance.

The Actors Fund helps men and women in the arts find **secure and affordable housing**. We provide assisted living and skilled nursing care at The Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey; low-income and seniors housing at The Aurora on 57th Street in Manhattan and at the Palm View in West Hollywood.

Each year, the staff and I must raise several million dollars to fund these and other vital programs and we rely on support from members to reach that goal.

If we can reach this goal, we can help folks like the retired stage actor who is struggling with HIV, the out-of-work screenwriter with a pile of bills to pay or the stagehand on Broadway whose arthritis is making it difficult to do his job. But it's vital to have people like you by our

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side who know the importance of the arts in our society and sincerely want to help meet the needs of hardworking entertainment professionals.

**Will you please support our work for those like Leah and thousands of other performers by sending a special tax-deductible gift of $50, $100 or $250 to The Actors Fund today?**

And remember, your membership will allow you to enjoy Broadway shows from VIP **house seats**, notification of Special Performances, **free tickets** to attend these special events and many other benefits that will help bring you closer to the excitement. You can read about our various membership levels in the enclosed brochure and decide which is right for you.

**Your gift will help ensure that The Actors Fund can respond to increased demand and rising costs and continue to help artists in need.** As I said earlier, artists must take a lot of risks when they choose the performing arts over the security of a nine-to-five job.

The truth is ... you and I and all Americans are all better off for the sacrifices made by these artists. Because without their sacrifices, there would be no Broadway musicals, no symphony orchestras and no holiday performances of *The Nutcracker*. If you value the arts, as I know you do, then I urge you to help me ensure that professionals in entertainment have somewhere to turn in times of need.

**Leah never imagined she would be knocking on the door at The Actors Fund ... especially at such an early stage in her career.** But knock she did. And, as we've done for thousands of performing artists over the years, The Actors Fund opened the door and welcomed her in.

Please help us continue this important tradition of supporting artists in need by sending your tax-deductible membership contribution today. Your generosity will help keep the arts alive by maintaining a vital safety net for thousands of men and women in the entertainment industry.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Brian Stokes Mitchell
President

P.S. As soon as I receive your gift, our membership staff will activate your membership benefits and send you more information about how to come closer to the excitement. Join today to enjoy VIP seats, special performances and more!

P.P.S. So many people are compassionate about The Actors Fund including my dear friend and colleague Lynn Redgrave. Please read her enclosed note now. Thanks, Stokes

Adat Jisrael Fundraising Foundation

ב"ה

FEB 23 2007

To Herg Kissinger
350 Park Avenue
New York 10022

The first Jews started visiting Stockholm in the Middle Ages. They came as merchants and were not allowed to take up permanent residence. Not until 1774, under the reign of King Gustav III, were Jews allowed to settle permanently in Stockholm without prior conversion to the Protestant Church of Sweden.

At first, the Jewish population was concentrated in Gamla Stan (The Old City) in Stockholm, but by the year 1870 synagogues had been established in the northern as well as in the southern parts of the city. The synagogue association that founded and is still running the Synagogue in Södermalm, the southern part of downtown Stockholm, is called Adat Jisrael.

Until 1918 the Synagogue was located on Sankt Paulsgatan 17. Since then the Synagogue Association has rented a premise in a building on Sankt Paulsgatan 13. The Synagogue Association has been active for 137 years in total, and for the last 89 years on its current address.

*In 2006 the Synagogue Association registered the Fundraising Foundation "Adat Jisrael INSAMLINGSSTIFTELSE" with the aim of purchasing the building where the Synagogue is located.*

Apart from the Synagogue, this building also contains office spaces and apartments. After the building has been purchased our long-term goal is to turn these into apartments for the elderly and to community activity spaces for the Jews of Södermalm. This will help secure a continued high attendance at daily Synagogue Services and provide spaces for social and cultural activities.

The Fundraising Committee consists of five people as of January 1, 2007: Svante Erhardson (aged 73, Chairman), Jacob Chanow (78), Michael Goldstein (63), Richard Mühlrad (54) and Josef Schreiber (34). No remunerations are paid; all work is done on a voluntary basis.

*The Fund Raising Foundation will most gratefully accept all kinds of Gifts, Donations, and other Contributions for the purpose of purchasing and rebuilding the abovementioned building.*

Stockholm Feb 16 2007
On behalf of the Committee,

Jakob Chanow

Adat Jisrael Fundraising Foundation
Sankt Paulsgatan 13
118 46 Stockholm - Sweden
Org. Reg. No: 003162 - 4984

Account info:
Bank Bransch: SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken)
IBAN: SE 18 5000 0000 0523 1104 1479
BIC: ESSESESS

DATE:

12/29/08

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Frances Beatty Adler and Allen Adler

 invite you for cocktails on
 Wednesday, October 10, 2007

from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
at 800 Park Avenue

New York, New York

to celebrate the publication of

Walter Russell Mead's new book

"God and Gold: Britain, America and the Making of the Modern World"

Published by Knopf

RSVP to Eliana Johnson at 212-434-9659 or ejohnson@cfr.org

"Walter Russell Mead has written yet another fascinating, thought-provoking book about America's global role. Mead weaves together history, theology, economics and politics to tell the story of the rise of the English speaking peoples and the world that they made. Churchill would have approved."

- Fareed Zakaria, author of "The Future of Freedom"

DATE:

12/26/07

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FEB 09 2007

American Enterprise Institute

Jessee LePorin

**From:** AEI Publications [publications@aei.org]
**Sent:** Friday, February 09, 2007 9:39 AM
**To:** jleporin
**Subject:** AEI Middle Eastern Outlook, No. 1, February 2007

To view the full text of this article, including graphics, visit: http://www.aei.org/publication25554

For a menu of all Middle Eastern Outlooks, visit: http://www.aei.org/meo

Please send comments and e-subscription requests, as well as requests to be removed from this mailing list, to Jeff Azarva at jazarva@aei.org.

# Will Turkey Have an Islamist President?

By Michael Rubin
No. 1, February 2007

While the campaigns have not officially begun, election season in Turkey is heating up. This spring, the Turkish parliament will select a president to replace current president Ahmet Necdet Sezer, whose seven-year term ends on May 16, 2007. On or before November 4, 2007, Turks will head to the polls to choose a new parliament. Not only does this year mark the first since 1973--and 1950 before that--in which Turks will inaugurate a new president and parliament in the same year, but this year's polls will also impact the future of Turkey more than perhaps any election in the past half century. If Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins the presidency and his Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, also known as AKP) retains its parliamentary majority, Islamists would control all Turkish offices and be positioned to erode secularism and redefine state and society.

If Erdogan ascends to Çankaya Palace--the Turkish White House--Turks face the prospect of an Islamist president and a first lady who wears a Saudi-style headscarf. Such a prospect has fueled speculation about intervention by the Turkish military, which traditionally serves as the guardian of secularism and the Turkish constitution. In December 2006, for example, *Newsweek* published an essay entitled "The Coming Coup d'Etat?" predicting a 50 percent chance of the military seizing control in Turkey this year.[1]

While concern about the future of Turkish secularism is warranted, alarmism about military intervention is not. There will be no more military coups in Turkey. Erdogan may be prepared to spark a constitutional crisis in pursuit of personal ambition and ideological agenda, but Turkey's civilian institutions are strong enough to confront the challenge. The greatest danger to Turkish democracy will not be Turkish military intervention, but rather well-meaning but naïve interference by U.S. diplomats seeking stability and downplaying the Islamist threat.

## The AKP's Islamist Roots

Why should U.S. or European officials worry about Turkey's future under the AKP? The AKP eschews the Islamist label and describes itself as a conservative or center-right party. Its roots, however, are religious. On November 21, 1994, while mayor of Istanbul, Erdogan said, "Thank God almighty, I am a servant of Shari'a [Islamic law]." He later described himself as "the imam of Istanbul."[2]

2/9/2007

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The AKP grew out of Necmettin Erbakan's Welfare Party (*Refah Partisi*), an Islamist party founded in 1993. On June 28, 1996, Erbakan became Turkey's first Islamist prime minister, but because his party held just 158 of a total 550 seats in parliament, he had only limited power to implement his agenda. Still, he pushed too far. Pressured by a military establishment upset with both his outreach to Libya and Iran and also by his support for religious schools, Erbakan resigned after just less than a year. There would be no *Refah* comeback. On January 16, 1998, Turkey's Constitutional Court (*Anayasa Mahkemesi*) banned the party, a decision subsequently upheld by the European Court of Human Rights.[3]

Refah members, including Erdogan, regrouped under the Virtue Party (*Fazilet Partisi*) banner. Many retained their jobs, but judicial action soon forced Erdogan to resign the mayoralty. On April 21, 1998, a security court in the city of Diyarbakir sentenced Erdogan to ten months' imprisonment for inciting religious hatred at a December 5, 1997, rally. After he exhausted his appeals, he served four months in prison.

*Fazilet* fared no better than *Refah*. Its platform and operations contravened the constitution. On June 22, 2001, the Constitutional Court banned the party, citing its antisecular activities. Its members went in two directions: on July 20, 2001, Erbakan founded the Felicity Party (*Saadet Partisi*) to provide a haven for trenchant Islamists willing to compete within the political system but unwilling to compromise their public platform. Erdogan founded the AKP on August 14, 2001, to provide a base for more flexible alumni of the *Refah* and *Fazilet*.

It proved an astute move. While many Turks did not share the religious agenda of *Refah* or *Fazilet*, they still sought alternatives untainted by the corruption scandals plaguing mainstream parties. Erdogan's toned-down rhetoric was attractive. The AKP dominated the November 3, 2002, parliamentary elections. Against a backdrop of economic malaise, the electorate punished the five incumbent parties, none of which surpassed the 10 percent threshold necessary to take seats in parliament. The AKP won 34.3 percent of the vote, and the center-left Republican People's Party (*Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi*, also known as CHP), Turkey's oldest political party which had not been represented in the previous parliament, won 19.4 percent. Because no other party surpassed the 10 percent threshold necessary to enter parliament, the AKP took two-thirds of the seats, enough to overcome presidential vetoes, and the largest bloc in parliament since the inauguration of multiparty democracy in Turkey.[4]

Erdogan could not initially share in his party's success. Because his 1998 conviction made him ineligible for a seat, his close aide Abdullah Gül assumed the premiership. The AKP used its supermajority both to amend the Law on the Election of Deputies and to overturn a subsequent presidential veto in order to enable Erdogan to run in a March 9, 2003, by-election in the southeastern town of Siirt--ironically the site of the 1997 rally which led to his imprisonment. He won a landslide victory and five days later became prime minister.

## Did the AKP Mortgage Turkey's Economic Future?

The AKP had a lengthy honeymoon. While in the five years prior to the AKP's inauguration Turkey's currency depreciated from 200,000 to 1.7 million Turkish lira to the dollar, under Erdogan's administration the currency stabilized and even appreciated a bit. Stabilization enabled the government to reissue its currency, dropping six zeros and boosting the economic psyche of a country long beset by runaway inflation. Whereas the AKP might claim 25 percent of Turkey's population as ideological constituents, it won 42 percent of the vote in the March 28, 2004, municipal elections.[5] Four of Turkey's five largest cities--Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, and Bursa-- now have AKP mayors.

AKP financial stewardship may be less than meets the eye. Rather than base reform on sound, long-term policies, the Erdogan administration has turned more toward short-term sleight of hand. Turkish businessmen are worried.[6] Two problems underlie the AKP's management of the

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economy: debt and an opaque influx of Islamist capital.

Islamist investment has grown concurrent with the AKP's rise. On November 7, 2005, Kürsad Tüzmen, the state minister for foreign trade, announced that Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan, ruler of the United Arab Emirates, would invest $100 billion in Turkish companies.[7] On October 9, 2006, Muhammad al-Hussaini, the Saudi ambassador in Ankara, said that trade between Saudi Arabia and Turkey would double, and might even triple, over the coming year.[8]

Investment is healthy and should be welcome. The problem, which Turkish commentators refer to as Yesil Sermaye ("Green Money"), is the opacity of Islamic investment. While Turkish politicians, journalists, and even banking officials acknowledge the influx of capital, it remains largely in the informal economy, subsidizing party coffers, slush funds, and perhaps political allies. The opacity-- and the fact that the money appears linked to AKP stewardship--also raises questions about conditionality: is investment in Turkey contingent upon AKP efforts to draw the country away from its Western orientation and more into the Islamic sphere?

## An Influx of Illicit Cash?

Not all money enters the economy legally. According to Ilhan Kesici, a former under secretary at Turkey's State Planning Organization, much enters "in suitcases" and remains outside regulation. [9] Under the AKP administration, the unofficial economy has grown exponentially. In Erdogan's first year of stewardship, the net error in balance of payments rose from $118 million to $4.9 billion. As the AKP approaches elections, the influx of unexplained cash has again approached record levels,[10] raising the possibility that the AKP is using outside capital both to buy popularity and to stave off recession prior to elections. Green Money which now circulates in Turkey surpasses $13 billion,[11] more than the annual gross domestic product of Estonia, Bosnia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.[12]

AKP officials dismiss speculation about their involvement with Green Money. They counter that persistent net error in balance of payments during their administration derives from private remittances from Germany, where two-thirds of expatriate Turkish workers reside. This explanation is inadequate. Remittances from Turkish workers peaked at $5 billion in 1998 but declined to less than $1 billion in 2004 after a prominent holding company's collapse and subsequent judicial lien.[13]

Central Bank statistics may be only the tip of the iceberg, as it is possible that the AKP has influenced data collection. Take compilation of tourism revenue, for example. Ankara bases its statistics upon visitor exit interviews. Kesici believes that selective sampling might enable a $2 billion overestimation of tourism revenue, mitigating what would otherwise be an even greater spike in net error.[14]

Senior officials are well-placed to shield the influx of Green Money. Between 1983 and 1991, Gül worked as a specialist at the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is intolerant toward oversight. Prior to the AKP's election, he criticized state scrutiny of Islamist enterprises.[15] Other AKP advisors are involved with Islamist capital. Korkut Özal, for example, is the leading Turkish shareholder in al-Baraka Türk, perhaps Turkey's leading Islamic bank, as well as Faisal Finans, a bank with roots in Saudi Arabia. Erkan Mumcu, a former AKP tourism minister who, on February 15, 2005, defected to lead the center-right Motherland Party (Anavatan Partisi), accused the AKP in June 2006 of illicit interference in Central Bank operation.[16]

Erdogan has placed Islamist bankers in key economic positions. He appointed Kemal Unakitan, a former board member at both al-Baraka and Eski Finans, as finance minister, and placed at least seven other al-Baraka officials in key positions within Turkey's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, a body which has used its authorities to harass secular bankers and businessmen. Ahmet Ertürk, one

2/9/2007

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such appointee, was an imam at an illegal anti-leftist commando camp in Malatya.[17] In March 2006, Erdogan brought financial policy to a standstill when tried to appoint an Islamist to govern the Central Bank in the face of a presidential veto.[18]

Excessive borrowing has accompanied the Green Money influx. Turkey's current account deficit, for example, increased to a record $13.7 billion in the first half of 2005, a jump of 38.3 percent over the first half of 2004. While Ali Çoskun, the AKP's minister of industry and trade, dismisses domestic concern over the deficit, [19] financial industry analysts are less sanguine. [20] In 2006, Turkey's current account deficit jumped more than 50 percent to a record $34.8 billion for the year. [21] CHP leader Deniz Baykal calculated that the state debt accrued by the AKP in its first three years in power surpassed Turkey's total accumulated debt between 1970 and 2000, and when private debt is included, it could cost Turkey a total of $200 billion. [22] If it were not for the Green Money influx, Turkey might soon face another devaluation of the scale of the 2001 currency crisis that led to the ouster of every incumbent party from office.

## Islamizing Education and the Judiciary

While Erdogan has said his views have evolved from his days in *Refah*, [23] his tactics have changed more than his agenda. He has used the AKP supermajority to erode the institutions and mechanisms at the heart of Turkish secularism.

His actions often contradict his rhetoric. He has endorsed, for example, the dream of Turkey's secular elite to enter the European Union, [24] but only so far as to enact reforms demanded by Brussels to dilute the role of the military, which traditionally serves as guardian of the Turkish constitution.

Erdogan is less tolerant of European influence when it counters attempts to forward an Islamist social agenda. After the European Court of Human Rights upheld a decision backing the ban on headscarves in public schools, he complained, "It is wrong that those who have no connection to this field [of religion] make such a decision . . . without consulting Islamic scholars." [25] In May 2006, his chief negotiator for European Union accession talks ordered state officials to remove a position paper reference defining Turkey's educational system as secular. [26]

Education is a hot-button issue. Traditionally, Turkish students had three choices for their secondary education: they could enroll at so-called Imam Hatip religious schools and enter the clergy; they could enter vocational schools to study a trade; or they could matriculate at secular high schools, enter university, and then move into either the public or private sectors. Erdogan changed the system: by equating Imam Hatip degrees with high school degrees, he enabled Islamist students to enter university and qualify for government jobs, despite never having mastered Western fundamentals. [27]

Whereas Turkey once regulated supplemental Koranic schools--where students can augment their study of Islam beyond what is taught in public schools--to avoid indoctrination of young children by Saudi-funded scholars, the AKP-dominated parliament has not only loosened limits on age and permissible hours of attendance, but also eviscerated the penalties. [28] One Turkish newspaper even ran an exposé showing illegal Koran schools advertising openly in local newspapers. [29] The number of Koran schools in Turkey now exceeds 60,000, ten times the number in 1995. [30]

Erdogan has undermined the system in other ways. After the Higher Education Board, composed of university rectors, rejected attempts to make Turkish universities more welcoming of political Islam, Turkish police twice arrested his chief opponent, the rector of Yüzüncü Yil University in the eastern city of Van, on spurious grounds. The courts dismissed him in both cases. Then, over the objections of Turkey's president, the AKP-dominated parliament proposed a bill to found fifteen new universities, a move which would allow Erdogan to handpick new rectors. [31]

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An equally great a threat to Turkish secularism has been Erdogan's interference in the judiciary. Just as U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt once tried to stack the Supreme Court by augmenting his power of appointment, so too has the prime minister. At Erdogan's insistence and over the objections of many Turkish liberals, the AKP passed legislation to lower the mandatory retirement age of technocrats, enabling the prime minister, in theory, to replace nearly 4,000 out of 9,000 judges.[32]

The AKP's willingness to run roughshod over the judiciary is real. In May 2005, parliamentary speaker Bülent Aring warned that the AKP might abolish the Constitutional Court if its judges continued to hamper his legislation.[33] More than a year later, Nuri Ok, the Supreme Court of Appeals chief prosecutor, chided the AKP for its attempts to interfere in the judiciary.[34] Erdogan's refusal to implement Supreme Court decisions levied against the government underlines his contempt for rule-of-law.[35]

In the past year, the AKP has moved more boldly to impose an anti-Western agenda. AKP-run municipalities have begun to ban alcohol in conformity with Islamic precepts.[36] The Ministry of Health surveyed employees about their religious beliefs,[37] and Turkish Airlines recently surveyed employees about their attitudes toward the Koran.[38]

## Why AKP Corruption Matters

Corruption has eroded the AKP's support since its March 2004 peak. In the U.S. government, even midlevel employees must declare their assets. Leading politicians often make their tax returns accessible to journalists. In Turkey, prime ministers do the same; but Erdogan initially refused, saying his wealth was his own and not a matter of public concern.[39]

When Erdogan eventually relented, his declaration showed he was a multimillionaire. This raised further and, as yet, unresolved questions. Court documents show him to have only $330,000 in assets prior to assuming the premiership. He has not explained the source of his wealth. His accounting was also problematic. His declaration neither itemized his assets nor did it include gifts or property registered under others' names.[40] There remain questions, for example, about the arrangements under which Erdogan occupies a house in Ankara and a multimillion dollar villa in Istanbul. The latter appears to be provided by Erdogan's brother, whose own wealth has grown in proportion to Erdogan's career. The two have a curious financial relationship. Prior to assuming the premiership, Erdogan transferred shares of companies in which he had interest to his brother's stewardship. Such stocks did not appear among Erdogan's assets, although he appears to benefit from them. Erdogan failed to vacate all interests upon taking office. He remained a major shareholder in three major companies, all of which did business with or distribution for the confectionary giant Ülker, a company which enjoyed close ties to the Refah government and also purchased Faisal Finans. Ülker has thrived under Erdogan. Only a sustained press outcry forced Erdogan to announce divestment of shares.

More recently, Erdogan has allowed business associates to pay his son's Harvard University tuition. While on a state visit to Moscow, his wife accepted a necklace worth over $10,000 as a personal gift, and only returned it after a press uproar. In each of these cases, Erdogan's willingness to conflate business and favor with politics raises questions about conflicts of interest. Still, Erdogan will enjoy immunity until he leaves office, but when he does, he may have a busy court schedule: he faces more than a dozen court actions for financial impropriety, corruption, and illicit AKP fundraising during and subsequent to his tenure as mayor.[41]

The AKP's corruption problem goes beyond Erdogan. Allegations also surround finance minister Unakitan, who first used parliamentary immunity to escape tax-evasion charges and then legislated amnesty for such "financial crimes."[42] His subsequent sleight of hand, though, sparked calls for impeachment. On February 15, 2006, the Turkish parliament debated a censure motion for Unakitan's alleged violation of banking laws and alleged manipulation of a tender for a cruise-ship

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facility in Istanbul. He also faced court action for erecting a luxury villa in a posh Istanbul neighborhood without permits. To protect Unakitan from censure, Erdogan instructed the AKP to maintain solidarity. The AKP did, and Unakitan survived three censure motions. Such action transformed the AKP's image from a party fighting corruption into one condoning it.

Fissures developed within the party. Turhan Çömez, an AKP deputy from Balikesir, a town in western Turkey's Marmara region, sent a five-page letter to Unakitan calling on him to resign. His letter elaborated on internal AKP unease about further impropriety and abuse of office.[43] In one instance, the finance ministry reduced taxes on imported corn for a short period of time, during which Unakitan's son's food-processing company imported 4,400 tons of corn. His son then unveiled a line of pasteurized egg products just after the Turkish government culled farmers' chickens in the wake of the avian flu scare. When questioned about the coincidence, the finance minister quipped, "What do you want? Shall they starve?"[44]

While AKP corruption might normally be more a matter for the Turkish electorate than a U.S. concern, AKP impropriety has impacted U.S. national security. Cuneyd Zapsu, Erdogan's chief advisor, has donated money to Yasin al-Qadi, a Saudi businessman identified by both the U.S. Treasury Department and the United Nations as an al Qaeda financier.[45] While Zapsu initially denied the charges--and even threatened to sue those repeating them[46]--Council of Financial Crime Investigations files leaked to the press confirmed that Zapsu had donated $60,000 to a foundation run by al-Qadi in 1997. Two years later his mother transferred another $250,000.[47]

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, the government of Erdogan's predecessor froze al-Qadi's assets. But with his business partner serving as advisor to the prime minister, al-Qadi appealed on technical grounds. Erdogan endorsed the appeal, vouching for al-Qadi and even calling him a philanthropist in a Turkish television interview.[48] The prime minister acknowledged knowing al-Qadi personally, which raises an important question: how did Zapsu introduce his business partner to the prime minister, and if he really did so, why? Only subsequent court intervention forced Erdogan to keep al-Qadi's assets frozen.[49] The questionable company chosen by Zapsu has become the rule rather than the exception: on March 27, 2006, Erdogan traveled to Khartoum for a two-day Arab League summit. While there, he skipped an official dinner to meet instead with Fatih al-Hassanein, a Sudanese financier with ties to al Qaeda and arms smuggling. [50] Erdogan has yet to explain the purpose of this meeting.

## The Coming Showdown

Corruption and attacks on secularism have taken a toll on the AKP's popularity. In the first six months of 2006, support for the AKP declined from 43 percent to 30 percent.[51] A September 2006 Sonar poll showed the AKP winning only 25.5 percent of the vote. This may represent a plurality, but it suggests the party has lost the centrist support which propelled it to victory in 2002. Where did these centrists go? The same poll suggests the CHP has 20.05 percent support, and devastating for the AKP's ability to retain power, it indicated two other parties will surpass the 10 percent threshold: the True Path Party (Dogru Yol Partisi, also kown as DYP) with 13.1 percent, and the Nationalist Action Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi) with 12.2 percent. Accordingly, even if the AKP were to come in first, it could expect to lose at least half its parliamentary bloc. Mehmet Agar, DYP chairman, sees AKP core support to be vulnerable. He now courts religious conservatives.

Erdogan is an astute politician. He wants to be president[52] but recognizes that he does not have the popular support for a direct election,[53] nor would a new parliament select him. His drive for the presidency may be motivated by more than ambition. While the AKP remains loyal to Erdogan, current discord within his party is high. Gül waits in the wings, playing the part of Gordon Brown to Tony Blair. The maneuvering between the two is severe and extends down among their respective proxies within the party. Whether Erdogan can count on another five years of party support is questionable.

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Erdogan's motivations may be more personal than partisan. Should he leave government, he will face months in court and potentially a lengthy prison sentence. His allies and associates will have their finances scrutinized. Any subsequent government may requisition documents and open a Pandora's box of investigations.

This creates a crisis in which Erdogan refuses to step aside, regardless of the risks of instability, leading to speculation about coups. Given Erdogan's religious agenda, many Turks are loathe to see him ascend to the presidency. It is not just a struggle over the headscarf or other such symbolism. The Turkish president has power. He cannot only determine which party leaders form the new government--enabling a prospective President Erdogan to augment the AKP in any coalition--but he also has powers of appointment. He chooses under secretaries and general directors throughout the bureaucracy and can approve other nominees forwarded by the parliament. As president, Erdogan could cover his tracks. He could approve a new head for the Turkish Court of Accounts (Sayistay), the body which audits the government.

The president also selects the Higher Education Board, appoints one-fourth of the justices on the Constitutional Court, nominates the chief public prosecutor, and officially confirms the commanding general of the Supreme Military Council (Yüksek Askeri Sura).

Underlying the president's power is the fact that Sezer, as president, vetoed more than 3,000 AKP appointments.[54] Had he not, Erdogan might already have transformed Turkey. Reviewing the schedule of vacancies, a retired Turkish diplomat said that a president, supported by a large parliamentary bloc, could use his power of appointment, in theory, to alter fundamentally the system in just nineteen months.[55]

In addition, the president can veto legislation once, and should parliament return it to him, he can direct the dispute to the Constitutional Court for resolution--an action Sezer took more than a hundred times. Such checks and balances frustrate the AKP. Tension erupted into violence on May 17, 2006, when an Islamist lawyer upset with court rulings striking down AKP legislation on the Islamic veil opened fire on the Supreme Court, killing one justice. Erdogan did not attend the funeral.

## Will the Military Intervene?

Since the inauguration of the multiparty system, the Turkish military has staged coups in 1960 and 1980, and pressured governments to resign in 1971 and 1997. Speculation about military intervention now, however, is unwarranted.

It will not take military action to prevent an Erdogan presidency. The military is not alone in recognizing the threat to Turkish secularism. Multiple institutions have put the prime minister on notice that he risks pushing the system too far. On August 23, 2005, for example, the National Security Council (Milli Güvenlik Kurulu, also known as MGK) warned the AKP that its actions risked becoming extraconstitutional.[56] While the MGK was traditionally a military body, it now has both a civilian leader and a civilian majority.

Sezer has at least twice warned Erdogan to stay within the bounds of the law.[57] The military underlined the warning. On October 2, 2006, General Yasar Büyükanit, chief of Turkey's armed forces, warned military cadets of growing Islamic fundamentalism and said "every measure will be taken against it."[58] He repeated his warning at a ceremony commemorating the sixty-eighth anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic.[59]

What happens if Erdogan does not heed the warnings? There will not be tanks in the streets, but rather political and judicial actions. The suspended corruption charges faced by Erdogan should

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prevent his rise to the presidency. His corruption files exacerbate the conflict within the AKP and raise legitimate questions about his fitness for the presidency. There is precedent: former Anavatan leader Mesut Yilmaz aspired to the presidency in 2000. While his record at the time was clear, the simple allegation of improper intervention in a supporter's financial crisis pushed his candidacy aside.

The CHP has suggested Erdogan put forward a compromise candidate for the presidency. Should the prime minister refuse to acquiesce, as appears likely, CHP leader Baykal could sidetrack the Erdogan candidacy by precipitating a mass resignation of his party's 153 CHP deputies from parliament. Because the parliament must ratify any resignation, this could precipitate a constitutional crisis should either the AKP refuse to accept or try to maintain a quorum for daily business. Because of these circumstances, civil pressure--and the very real threat of street violence--might force Erdogan to accede to early elections.

Baykal may hesitate to pursue such a course for fear that many CHP deputies would refuse to follow. The perks of office are tempting. In reality, though, decisive leadership would enhance CHP popularity and could even position Baykal as a presidential candidate for any future parliament.

Should Erdogan's stubbornness exacerbate the crisis, there are two possible scenarios: First, as AKP popularity hemorrhages, Gül, Tüzmen, or another prominent AKP figure might form a splinter party, just as Erdogan himself once did. They could immediately lay claim to a bloc of at least a hundred deputies and perhaps launch themselves into the premiership. Second, the continuing political impasse might spark judicial action which could send the party the way of both *Refah* and *Fazilet*.

There is no question that the AKP has violated Turkish election laws. In June 2005, Ok identified eight AKP bylaws which contravened Turkish law. He criticized the near-dictatorial power enjoyed by Erdogan within the framework of his political party.[60]

In addition, the AKP is in violation of the Political Parties Law, which prohibits parties from seeking to unravel Atatürk's fundamental reforms, attempting to change Turkey's secular identity, or exploiting religion in public.[61] Here, speeches by both Erdogan and Arınç could provide sufficient grounds for dissolution of the AKP party,[62] an event which would precipitate early elections.

## What Should Washington Do?

Across the political spectrum, Turks recognize the looming crisis. Should the lame-duck parliament confirm Erdogan as president, there could be street demonstrations and violent protests. Across Turkey, officials remain concerned about the AKP's assault on secularism.

What do such scenarios mean for Washington? Turkish democracy might seem convoluted, but it works. Turkey is a secular state and it will counter the Erdogan agenda in its own way. U.S. officials should be patient and do nothing to imply endorsement for the AKP, its prime minister, or his ambitions. While every diplomat likes stability, U.S. interests should remain rooted in Turkey's strong democracy and secular system rather than in any single political leader. Washington should do nothing to undercut Turkish secularism or downplay the dangers it faces.

Here, though, the State Department is on the wrong course. After Sezer and Büyükanit issued their warnings to Erdogan, U.S. ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson interjected himself into the debate to defend the prime minister and dismiss concerns about eroding secularism.[63] To be fair, Wilson only mirrors the attitude of his superiors. On December 14, 2005, as Erdogan moved to eviscerate the judicial and educational systems, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried described the AKP as "a kind of Muslim version of a Christian Democratic Party."[64] It is not. As Erdogan once quipped, "Democracy is like a streetcar. You ride it until you

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arrive at your destination and then you step off."[65] As the presidential election nears, Erdogan is approaching his destination. A resilient democracy works against the prospect of a constitutional crisis. Washington should let that democracy take its course, even if it means short-term instability.

Michael Rubin (mrubin@aei.org) is a resident scholar at AEI. AEI research assistant Jeffrey Azarva and editorial assistant Nicole Passan worked with Mr. Rubin to edit and produce this Middle East Outlook.

## Notes

1. Zeyno Baran, "The Coming Coup d'Etat?" *Newsweek*, international edition, December 4, 2006, available at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15894450/site/newsweek/.

2. Cited in "Does Prime Minister Erdogan Accept Turkish Secularism?" *Middle East Quarterly* 14, no. 2 (Spring 2007): 89-90.

3. European Court of Human Rights, *Refah Partisi* (*Parti de la prospérité* et autres c. *Turquie*, no. 41340/98, 41342/98, 41343/98, and 41344/98 (sect. 3), July 31, 2001.

4. See Ali Çarkoglu, "Turkey's November 2002 Elections: A New Beginning?" *Middle East Review of International Affairs* 6, no. 4 (December 2002), available at http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2002/issue4/jv6n4a4.html#Ali%20Carkoglu.

5. Election Result Announcement, NTV Television (Istanbul), March 29, 2004.

6. "TUSAID Defends Itself against PM's Criticism," NTV/MSNBC, December 23, 2005, available at www.ntv.com.tr/news/355117.asp; and "Leading Businessman Warns against Current Account Deficit," NTV/MSNBC, April 10, 2006, available at www.ntvmsnb.com/news/368624.asp.

7. "UAE Prince Nahyan Plans to Invest in Turkish Firms," *Turkish Daily News*, November 8, 2005.

8. "Trade between Saudi Arabia and Turkey Will Double, Says Ambassador," *Turkish Daily News*, October 10, 2006. See also "Arap sermayesi Türkiye yolunda" [Arab Capital on the Way to Turkey], Milliyet, July 14, 2005, available at www.milliyet.com.tr/2005/07/14/ekonomi/aeko.html.

9. Ilhan Kesici, in discussion with the author, Istanbul, July 21, 2004. See also Yusuf Kanli, "And Green Capital Is under Scrutiny," *Turkish Daily News*, March 31, 2005.

10. Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası [Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey], "Balance of Payments--Monthly Analytic Presentation (January 2005-November 2006)," table 1, available at www.tcmb.gov.tr/odemedenge/table1.pdf.

11. Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası, "Balance of Payments--Yearly Analytic Presentation (1975-2005)," table 3, available at www.tcmb.gov.tr/odemedenge/table3.pdf.

12. International Monetary Fund, "World Economic Outlook Database," *World Economic Outlook Database*, September 2006 (Washington, DC: 2006), available through www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/index.aspx.

13. Scott McDonald, Yontem Sonmez, and Jonathan Perraton, "Labour Migration and Remittances: Some Implications of Turkish 'Guest Workers' in Germany" (paper prepared for the Ninth Global Economic Analysis Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 2006), 10, available at

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https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/download/2604.pdf; World Bank, "Turkey Data Profile," *World Development Indicators Database* (Washington, DC: April 2006), available at http://devdata.worldbank.org/external/CPProfile.asp?TYPE=CP&CCODE=TUR; and "Capital Market Watchdog Warns Investors against Kombassan," *Turkish Daily News*, October 27, 2000.

14. Ilhan Kesici, in discussion with the author.

15. "Report: Turkey's Leaders to Tighten Squeeze on Islamic Businesses," Associated Press, March 31, 2001.

16. "Mumcu: Leave Central Bank Alone," *Turkish Daily News*, June 15, 2006.

17. Ahmet Erhan Çelik, "TMSF Baskani Ahmet Ertürk komando kampında imamdi" [Savings Deposit Insurance Fund Chairman Ahmet Ertürk Was Serving as "Imam" in a Commando Camp], *Milliyet*, August 1, 2005, available at www.milliyet.com.tr/2005/08/01/ekonomi/aeko.html.

18. Mehmet Ali Birand, "Was It Worth All This Trouble?" *Turkish Daily News*, April 20, 2006.

19. "Çoskun: There Is No Danger in Financing of Current Account Deficit," *Turkish Daily News*, August 25, 2005.

20. Selcuk Gokoluk, "Turkish C/A Deficit Merits Concern, Says Analysts," *Turkish Daily News*, November 18, 2005

21. "Turkey's Current Account Deficit Rises," NTV/MSNBC, January 12, 2007, available at www.ntv.com.tr/news/396778.asp.

22. "Baykal Accuses Gov't of Bankrupting Turkey," *Turkish Daily News*, May 10, 2006.

23. Hande Culpan, "Are the New Winners in Turkey Really Islamists?" Agence France Presse, November 6, 2002.

24. David L. Phillips, "Turkey's Dreams of Accession," *Foreign Affairs* 83, no. 5 (September/October 2004), available at www.foreignaffairs.org/20040901faessay83508/david-l-phillips/turkey-s-dreams-of-accession.html.

25. "PM's Headscarf Criticism Draws Anger," *Turkish Daily News*, November 15, 2005.

26. "Reference to Secularism Taken out from Document for EU," *Turkish Daily News*, June 1, 2006.

27. "University Doors Opened to Imam-Hatip Graduates," *Turkish Daily News*, December 15, 2006.

28. "CHP Asks the Gov't about Koran Courses," *Turkish Daily News*, October 24, 2005.

29. "Baykal: 'Laik düzene saldiri'" [Baykal: "Attack to the Secular System"], *Sabah*, May 27, 2005; and "Laiklikten uzaklasildi" [Go Away from Laicism], *Milliyet*, June 3, 2005.

30. "4,950 Full-Time Koran Courses in Turkey," *Turkish Daily News*, November 1, 2006. There were 58,500 part-time Koran schools as of October 2006. See also General Directorate of Religious Affairs, "Annual Statistics," news release, 1995.

31. "Vetoed University Law Passed Again," *Turkish Daily News*, March 2, 2006.

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32. "Elected Members of the Supreme Council of Judges: The Executive Power Is Willing to Influence the Judicial Power," *Milliyet*, June 6, 2005.

33. U.S. State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, "Turkey," *International Religious Freedom Report 2005* (Washington, DC: November 8, 2005), available at www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51586.htm.

34. "Top Prosecutor Calls for a Change of Mentality in Politics," *Turkish Daily News*, July 10, 2006.

35. For example, see Tenth Division of the Council of State, June 21, 2004, file no. 2004/7935, decision no. 2004/5575K.

36. "Üsküdar Insists on 'Alcohol Zones,'" *Turkish Daily News*, December 16, 2005.

37. "Sect Separation," *Cumhuriyet*, October 9, 2005.

38. "Tartisilan testte kizdiran sorular" [Debated Exam's Infuriating Questions], *Sabah*, October 6, 2006, available at www.sabah.com.tr/2006/10/06/gnd104.html.

39. "Erdogan Fails to Declare His Assets," *Turkish Daily News*, February 1, 2006.

40. "Erdogan Declares Assets," *Turkish Daily News*, February 8, 2006.

41. "Erdogan'a ikinci sok" [Second Shock to Erdogan], *Sabah*, July 9, 1998; "DSP tezgaha el koydu" [DSP Stops the Deal], *Sabah*, November 20, 2000; "Basbakani mahkemeye gönderen basarili polis sefini görevinden attilar!" [Police Chief Who Sent the Prime Minister to Court Is Fired], *Sabah*, September 23, 2003; "Erdogan-Baykal atismasi" [Erdogan-Baykal Quarrel], *Sabah*, December 6, 2003; "Basbakan olmadan bagis kabul ediyor!" [He Accepts Donations before Becoming Prime Minister], *Sabah*, August 27, 2002; and Robert Ellis, "Turkish Swings and Roundabouts," *Turkish Daily News*, July 19, 2006.

42. Yusuf Kanli, "A Courageous Voice in AKP," *Turkish Daily News*, February 28, 2006.

43. "Çömez Calls on Unakitan to Resign," *Turkish Daily News*, February 28, 2006.

44. "Grumbling within AKP Getting Louder," *Turkish Daily News*, March 1, 2006.

45. "Press Scanner: Tayyip and al-Qadi's Partner," *Turkish Daily News*, October 27, 2001; Çigdem Toker, "Maliye'den Ladin'in finansörüne vergide 4.6 trilyonluk kiyak" [4.6 Trillion Turkish Lira Favor to Ladin's Financier in the Ministry of Finance], *Hürriyet*, June 23, 2004; U.S. Department of the Treasury, "Bulletin from the Office of Foreign Assets Control," news release, October 12, 2001, available at www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/alert/2001-13a.txt; and U.N. Security Council Committee Established Pursuant to Resolution 1267 (1999), "Press Release, AFG/169, SC7222," news release, November 26, 2001.

46. Ates Yalazan, "Bush yanlisi yzara dava" [Lawsuit against the Pro-Bush Writer], *Hürriyet*, February 27, 2005.

47. Nedim Sener, "Zapsu için sok rapor" [Shocking Report for Cuneyd Zapsu], *Milliyet*, June 23, 2006.

48. "Erdogan: Davutoglu, Sam'da Hamas lideri Melas'le görüştü" [Erdogan: Davutoglu Met with Hamas Leader Mishaal in Syria], *Vatan*, July 12, 2006.

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49. "Al-Qadi Assets Remain Frozen for Now," *Turkish Daily News*, October 13, 2006.

50. Utku Çakirözer, "Islami hareketlerin hamisiyle görüştü" [He Met with the Protector of the Islamic Movements], Milliyet, March 31, 2006; and Yusuf Kanli, "Eligibility or Ideology," *Turkish Daily News*, April 2, 2006.

51. "Poll: AKP Loses Support but Still Most Popular," *Turkish Daily News*, June 9, 2006.

52. "Erdogan: Next President Will Be from Current Parliament," *Turkish Daily News*, November 9, 2006; and "Erdogan Hints at Intention to Run for Çankaya at Congress," *Turkish Daily News*, November 13, 2006.

53. "Son anket 'çıkma' dedi" [Last Poll Says "Don't Go" (to Çankaya)], *Aksam*, January 10, 2007.

54. Yusuf Kanli, "Çankaya War," *Turkish Daily News*, December 15, 2006.

55. Interview with a retired Turkish diplomat, Istanbul, November 30, 2006.

56. "Opposition Says MGK Warned the Government," *Turkish Daily News*, August 25, 2005.

57. "Sezer, Government Caught Up in Secularism Dispute," *Turkish Daily News*, April 14, 2006.

58. "Military Joins in Criticism of Government Policies," *Turkish Daily News*, October 3, 2006.

59. "Secular System under Threat, Büyükanit Warns," *Turkish Daily News*, November 10, 2006.

60. "Top Prosecutor Asks for Censure of Ruling Party," *Turkish Daily News*, December 1, 2005.

61. *Political Parties Law*, Law 2820, April 22, 1983, §3:84-87.

62. "Erdogan: Religion Is the Cement That Unites Us," *Turkish Daily News*, December 12, 2005.

63. "Tan Politely Warns Wilson Not to Comment on Domestic Issues," *Turkish Daily News*, October 7, 2006.

64. Daniel Fried, "Putting Transatlantic Power to Work for Freedom" (presentation, AEI, Washington, DC, December 14, 2005), available at www.aei.org/event1217/.

65. Quoted in "Moment of Truth for the EU and Turkey," *Turkish Daily News*, November 10, 2006.

2/9/2007

26th Floor
New York, NY 10022

phone: 212-759-7919
fax: 212-759-0042
email: pwspeltz@kmaglobal.com

-----Original Message-----

**From:** farid maqsudi [mailto:faridmaqsudi@gmail.com]
**Sent:** Friday, May 25, 2007 3:31 PM
**To:** Paul W Speltz
**Subject:** pepsi

Hi Paul,

Have you had the chance to review the email regarding Pepsi? If so, I'd appreciate your comments.

On June 18th and 19th, the Afghan Ambassador to Washington, S. Tayeb Jawad, will be in NYC for speaking engagements and meetings and have asked for suggestions for other meetings.

If you have any matters related to Afghanistan, the Ambassador is a very good contact and a professional.

Best,
Farid

--

CONFIDENTIALITY: This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the named recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to another person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the information in any medium.

--

6/6/2007

Page 2 of 2

Dear Sara,

I am so sorry to do this, but unfortunately we learned just TODAY that a major Parliamentary delegation is coming in earlier than was expected to accompany the Afghan National Army's chief of staff, and the Ambassador must be present in DC to receive them and to attend a number of Congressional meetings. We are going to need to postpone next week's meeting with Ambassador Speltz. I will be in touch soon in hopes of rescheduling the trip, and will make sure that this is one of our top priorities the next time we travel up north. Of course, we would welcome both Ambassador Speltz and Mr. Kissinger to stop by the Embassy at their convenience, should they be traveling to Washington anytime this summer. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused you. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or requests. I'll be in touch.

Best,

Joshua Gross
Director of Media Relations

Embassy of Afghanistan
2341 Wyoming Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel: (202) 483 6410 ext. 8002 or (202) 292 4285

Mobile: (202) 657 8052

Fax: (202) 483 6488

email: gross@embassyofafghanistan.org

website: www.embassyofafghanistan.org

6/13/2007

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Dear Dr. Kissinger,

Mozambique is a long and narrow country on the southeast extremity of the African continent, stretching from South Africa all the way to the southern border of Tanzania in East Africa. Along the coast, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean create some of the richest coral reefs and marine life of the tropics. Far to the north in Tete Province, the Zambezi River descends towards the ocean forming the third corner in AWF's Zambezi Heartland. In the south, AWF's Limpopo Heartland focuses on the conservation of priority areas east of the famous Kruger National Park of South Africa.

After a night in the capital city of Maputo, I headed north with Dr. Simon Munthali, AWF's Director for the Limpopo Heartland. The eleven hour drive gave us ample time to catch up on developments in the Heartland. At first the road more or less followed the coast and we got occasional glimpses of the ocean. Cashew and mango trees predominate on the farms along the road. In small towns or district headquarters, the government buildings have the shabby elegance of Portuguese Mediterranean villas. They create a mood exotically different from the colonial bungalows of the British, more common in surrounding countries.

In one remote area far from the nearest settlement, our back right tire suddenly went flat. We had to unload spare jerry cans of fuel, large water jugs and camping equipment to get at the spare and the jack. Back in the car, we started up and moved only meters forward when a fully grown black mamba snake emerged out of the tall grasses and onto the road. A black mamba is not black at all but is tan or light brown and with a

black tongue and lips. It is one of fastest, most dangerous, and venomous African snakes.

While most snakes will not attack a human unless startled or threatened, black mambas are known to be aggressive. They move very rapidly and can stand erect with a large proportion of their body length. I was glad to be meeting this one, which was over two meters long, in the car instead of on foot. The mamba paused for a moment to look at the large shape of the approaching vehicle then sped across the road and into the vegetation on the other side. We could literally track its movements for 15 meters or so as reeds cracked and swayed as the snake thrashed its way through with amazing speed and power.

Many hours and stories later, we saw a lone sign board: "Banhine National Park - supported by AWF". We turned off the main road onto a small track, first winding through a village

AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION®

and then plunging into a huge wilderness area. Simon described the various habitats to me as we drove through them. The largest area of the southern part of the park is classic 'sand veld': scrubby trees and grasses able to survive in deep whitish sand. We continued through belts where heavy gray clay soils have formed, and stands of Mopane trees with their telltale butterfly-shaped leaves predominate.

In one Mopane stand, we came upon a nice flock of twenty or so crested guinea fowl scratching for food in underbrush. In this region, these handsome birds do not occur outside of the southeastern ironwood thickets and Mopane belt. They have a wide creamy yellow band just below their throats and straight black crest on their heads. They looked like a group of university faculty in academic regalia with doctoral hoods around their necks and black mortar board caps.

Deeper into the park, the Mopane stands are broken by shallow depressions - called pans - that capture and hold water during the months after the rains. By now, all but one was completely dry. A short, pretty steinbok antelope, perhaps two and half feet tall and with long eye lashes, stared at us and then at a pan as if asking us when it would fill with water again.

Two hours into the park, the forested stands opened up into huge grasslands more reminiscent of East Africa. A few lonely ostrich enjoyed the sustenance that this magnificent but depleted park provides. A ridge bisects the grassland that is dominated by mlala palms.

Banhine National Park was formally known as "Coutada 17", a hunting block established by the Portuguese colonialists. The area was legally upgraded to a national park in the early 1970s. However, the cold war and the regional politics of apartheid in South Africa prevented any real improvement in the area's status or conservation. The ruling party, Frelimo, allowed their Soviet allies to hunt in the area further depleting the populations of large mammals. At present, only remnant populations of elephant, nyala, buffalo, and kudu (pictured above) remain. Wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hartebeest and other large mammals have been wiped out completely.

In one of our most ambitious undertakings ever, AWF has partnered with the Government of Mozambique and the World Bank to rehabilitate Banhine National Park. The initial $5 million dollar, four year phase requires a comprehensive redesign and rebuilding of the park. Satellite imagery, field surveys and hydrological studies are being used to delineate the park's boundaries. New boundaries will be demarcated. Infrastructure including houses for park

2

DATE: 11/6/07

CORR. FILE

African Wildlife Foundation

ACTION:

Paul Stape Dennis Gish

Jessee Ann R. Theresa

Security Suzanne

COMMENTS:

SUBJECT FILE

CROSS REFERENCE

STAFF MEMO BY:

INFORMATION COPY TO:

ROUTE CC COPY TO:

TO BE FILED

AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION®

formed by three national parks: Mount Kilimanjaro NP in Tanzania, Arusha NP on Mount Meru in Tanzania, and the Amboseli NP in Kenya. For many years, our fellow conservationist Cynthia Moss has raised concerns about the habitat available for the Amboseli elephants when they crossed into Tanzania. In more recent years, AWF's own researcher Alfred Kikoti has identified a unique population of resident Kilimanjaro elephants. Alfred now has several years worth of satellite data that show beyond a doubt that these elephants depend on the habitat provided by West Kilimanjaro Ranch. AWF believes that the conservation of West Kilimanjaro Ranch is critical to the survival of the whole Kilimanjaro Heartland, including Amboseli National Park in Kenya.

Over the 70,000 acres, the ranch has diverse vegetation and habitats. The southern part of the ranch has open, windy short-grassed plains. The northern part of the ranch is dense acacia woodland. The Ngare Nanyuki River cuts through the ranch with classic formations of yellow fever trees alongside. On several hillsides, the ranch has large groves of euphorbia, sometimes called the 'candelabra tree' because of its distinctive shape. In addition to elephants, various antelope, giraffe, zebra, and cheetah have been spotted on the ranch. From a camp on the ranch, a visitor has a beautiful view of two mountains- Kilimanjaro on one side and Mount Meru on the other. The area clearly has huge potential for both conservation and tourism.

Several years ago, building on our experiences from the Manyara Ranch project, AWF approached the Government of Tanzania with a proposal to take on the rehabilitation and management of West Kilimanjaro Ranch. AWF's proposal was well-received in principle, but was beset by a staggering number of bureaucratic difficulties. During the many years of neglect, several local communities had begun squatting on parts of the ranch and had then filed suit against the Government for the right to stay in place. The Government in turn was unable to lease the ranch to AWF while the property was the subject of legal action. Over the last two years, AWF has painstakingly worked with these community groups, taken them to see our work on Manyara Ranch, and convinced them that they would be better served partnering with AWF than continuing a fruitless 12-year suit

2

AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION®

against the Government. In a landmark achievement in August, the last two villages
withdrew their suit from the High Court of Tanzania based on the premise that AWF
would begin working to rehabilitate the ranch.

It was this breakthrough that set us on the road to Mwanza. We waited in an office for the
Minister of Livestock to arrive. Mwanza is his home constituency and he was on the
campaign trail. He entered the room wearing a bright green shirt- the color of the majority
party. As soon as our meeting ended, he would be out and about making speeches. I could
see that he was impressed and pleased that we came so far to see him about this issue.

Our goals for West Kilimanjaro Ranch, I explained to the Minister, are the same goals AWF
has everywhere that we work: to conserve wildlife while also helping to build the local
economy. AWF has a vision and proposal for the restructuring and rehabilitation of West
Kilimanjaro Ranch that will make it a thriving node of conservation, tourism, development
and community benefit. Our proposal has been pending for some time and the
government has been too slow and cautious in moving forward. The communities have
withdrawn the suit. The ranch falls within his portfolio as Minister of Livestock. We were
there because we needed a clear decision.

The Minister turned to his Permanent Secretary and to the manager of the National
Ranching Company for their views. Everyone was unanimous: the AWF proposal was the
best option on the table to move the ranch forward. The Minister instructed the Permanent
Secretary to write an official letter stating that the Government will enter into a long term
sublease of the ranch to AWF. James and I left the meeting elated. This was the
breakthrough we had been waiting for. Our trip to Mwanza had born fruit. We celebrated
with a local lunch of fillet of lake fish and aromatic rice before we headed back to Arusha.

Africa is a continent on the move. Cities and populations are growing. Areas under
cultivation are expanding. Roads and infrastructure are, thankfully, being built in many
places. This change, which is inevitable and desirable for human well-being, has led some
cynics to conclude that Africans do not care about wildlife, or that the continent's wildlife
is ultimately doomed.

AWF clearly takes a different
view. We believe that there
is space for wildlife even in a
more prosperous and
developed Africa, but its
survival is not a foregone
conclusion. Someone has to
show vision, foresight and
planning. Someone has to

AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION®

speak up for wildlife and assist governments in planning and investing in the great conservation and tourism destinations of the continent that will only grow more important and valuable with time. Someone has to be willing to negotiate real estate deals on behalf of wildlife. Someone has to be willing to get on the plane to Mwanza and convince the Minister of Livestock that a former livestock ranch should now be managed to include wildlife and tourism. In doing so, we help ensure the survival of Kilimanjaro, Amboseli, and so many other valuable resources.

In more and more places on the African continent, AWF is able to play this unique and valuable role: sharing a vision with governments about how wildlife and wild areas can co-exist and contribute to a more modern and prosperous society. AWF is able to play this role thanks to the moral and financial support that we receive from you. Warm thanks for making this possible. I look forward to sharing more news with you about West Kilimanjaro Ranch over the coming months and years.

Sincerely,

Patrick Bergin, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer

4

II. ELECTION OF NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

This will serve as OFFICIAL NOTICE of the election of MEMBERS of the NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

The New York Local is currently entitled to 19 representatives on the National Board. *Nine Board Members* will be elected this year, all for 4-year terms. These nine positions will be allocated as follows:

7 ACTORS

1 SINGER/DANCER/SPECIALTY ACT

1 NEWSPERSON/SPORTSCASTER

The following Board members have terms
which expire with this election:

David Browde
Lainie Cooke
Richard Ferrone
Janette Gautier
Anita Hollander
Elaine LeGaro
James Lurie
Robert Lydiard
John Margolis

The following Board members have terms
which continue beyond this election:

Maureen Donnelly
Ed Fry
Anne Gartlan
Dan Ingram
Mitch McGuire
Roberta Reardon
Frank Simms
leslie Shreve
Sally Winter
Kim Zimmers

PETITIONS FOR NOMINATION are available at the AFTRA New York Local office. ALL
PETITIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK LOCAL
NOT LATER THAN 4:30 P.M. ON MARCH 23, 2007. No petitions or additional signatures will be accepted
after that time. Thereafter the ballots mailed to the membership will contain the names of all nominees eligible
for election as Members of the National Board.

III. ELECTION OF CONVENTION DELEGATES

This will serve as OFFICIAL NOTICE of the election of DELEGATES to the 2007 AFTRA NATIONAL
CONVENTION.

The 2007 National Convention will be held in Philadelphia, PA, on July 19 to July 21, 2007. The New York Local is entitled to 369 delegates. To provide proportional representation, these 369 places will be distributed as follows:

298 ACTORS (75 to be elected)*

14 ANNOUNCERS

4 DISC JOCKEYS

13 NEWSPERSONS

28 SINGERS

4 SPORTSCASTERS

4 DANCERS

4 SPECIALTY ACTS

*Under Article IX, Section 3 of the AFTRA National Constitution, each local is entitled to elect one delegate for every 50 members. In any Local where a single category of performers would be entitled to more than 100 delegates under this provision, that category shall elect one delegate for each 100 members in good standing or may instead elect one delegate for each 200 members in good standing. The New York Local Board has chosen to elect one delegate for each 200 members in the Actor category, reducing the number of delegates in that category from 298 to 75. In all Convention votes where a count is called for or where a secret ballot is used, each delegate elected under the one for 200 provision shall be entitled to four votes, and, in any proxy vote, delegates from such categories shall be entitled to cast four votes for each proxy held. The first 74 Actor delegates will each be entitled to four votes under the provision cited above (for a cumulative total of 296 votes); the 75th Actor delegate will be entitled to cast two votes.

There are two ways to be nominated to run as a Convention Delegate:

(1) **PETITIONS**

To be eligible for election within his or her performing category, any Active Member in good standing as of November 1, 2006, may be nominated by a petition signed by at least 20 Active Members in good standing. Petitions for nomination as a Convention Delegate are available at the AFTRA office. ALL PETITIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOT LATER THAN 4:30 P.M. ON MARCH 23, 2007. No petitions or additional signatures will be accepted after that time.

(2) **NOMINATING COMMITTEE**

In accordance with Article IX of the New York Local Constitution and By-Laws, the National Convention Delegates Nominating Committee will meet for the purpose of assuring that there will be nominated a representative number of Active Members in good standing for election as Delegates to the National Convention. Members nominated by the National Convention Delegates Nominating Committee will be so advised by the AFTRA office. Pursuant to the Local Constitution and By-Laws, the Local Board has elected nine (9) members from the membership of the Local Board and eleven (11) members from the General Membership to serve as the Delegates Nominating Committee.

-3-

The Convention Delegates Nominating Committee consists of:

## BOARD MEMBERS

Polly Adams
Elaine Caswell
Roseanne Colletti
Wendell Craig
Richard Ferrone
Janette Gautier
Don Gould
Holter Graham
Dan Ingram
Mierre
Jeff Spurgeon
Joan Valentina

## GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Leona Cyphers
Jay DeDapper
Ronnie Ferrer
Judy Frank
Micki Grant
Anita Hollander
France Iann
Mary Louise
Robert Lydiard
Hillary Smith
Kim Zimmer

Please note that any other member who wishes to join the Nominating Committee may apply by writing to the AFTRA office to that effect no later than ten (10) days after the mailing of this notice. Such applications shall be presented to the Local Board. Thereafter a meeting (or meetings) of the Nominating Committee (seven members of which shall constitute a quorum) shall be held for the purpose of nominating delegates (by category) to the National Convention. The nominees shall be notified immediately by the AFTRA office and asked to state within ten (10) days of the notification whether they consent to run. Upon receipt of such consent, that individual shall be a nominee for election as a delegate to the National Convention.

## BALLOTS

Ballots will be mailed to the membership, alphabetically listing names of candidates, by category. There shall be no identification as to whether the nominee was determined by petition or nominated by the Convention Delegates Nominating Committee.

## IV. CONFLICT OF INTEREST AFFIDAVIT

Members who wish to run for an office must verify their compliance with Article 7 Section 11F of the AFTRA National Constitution, by submitting an affidavit confirming that they are not representatives of management as defined in that Article.

- 4 -

AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS
NEW YORK LOCAL **AFTRANY**

NEW YORK LOCAL — 2007 ELECTION

Biographical Sketches of Candidates for
Officers of the New York Local Board of Directors,
Members of the New York Local Board of Directors,
and Members of the National Board of Directors

MAY 14 2007]

The following statements have been supplied solely by the candidates.
They do not represent an official endorsement by AFTRA.

CANDIDATES FOR NEW YORK LOCAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

HOLTER GRAHAM

AFTRA consistently works to improve opportunities and conditions for members. I'm proud to be an active part of that: NY Promo, SCOPAC, Cable Promo Target, Convention Nom Com, LPAF, Young Performers, SUC, Exec. Comm. I've been working union contracts for 20 years. It's all I do, and I'm dedicated to growing the work. AFTRA is the future; AFTRA has its eyes forward. This board is instrumental in **gaining and protecting** opportunities for members in New York and nationwide. I humbly request permission to continue that work. If elected, I'll run the NY Marathon in AFTRA shorts. Endorsed by AftraNOW.

VICE PRESIDENTS

RUTH LAST

Thank YOU for having elected me VICE-PRESIDENT to champion YOUR interests in the past! You've honored me-I've earnestly served YOU-voting issues on merit without malice or bias. Return me YOUR **independent** EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VOICE. I fight for YOUR well-being.

**ACTIONS -**

* Protected Housing (in NYC)

* Got Workman's Comp (in Albany)

* Landmarked Theatres "Save the theatres" (appeared at City Hall)

* AFTRA's member on "Equity Fights Aids" Millions benefit at Metropolitan Opera House

* Ran years of Labor Day Parades on miniscule Budgets

* Multiple negotiating teams: National-Regional-Local. Got good contracts

* Raised/gave multiple scholarships

* Always REACHABLE - thelastword@aol.com.

* YOU come FIRST with LAST

FRANK SIMMS

I have been an AFTRA member for 31 years serving as a singer representative locally and nationally for over 20 years. I work most of our contracts as a singer, announcer, and actor. I serve on the most recent National Network Code and National Phono Code Negotiating Committees. I hope to continue to support and advise members concerning pension and health, job creation, agent relationships, and all other union matters.

Continued on following page

VICE PRESIDENTS (CONT.)

ED FRY

Current 3rd VP and eastern legislative chair. Worked to create the current unrivaled production incentives that are bringing new work to New York. The digital transition demands we adapt both our skills and our contracts, and organize jobs under union terms, no matter the audience size: national network, national cable, local cable, local radio, satellite radio, the Internet, cell phones, iPods, vPods and any other mobile platform featuring our work. Change is not our enemy. It is our challenge. AFTRA is uniquely positioned to help us succeed. I support Aftra@Work, Open Door, and proudly support and am endorsed by AftraNOW.

ANNE GARTLAN

Past President, Past National VP, many negotiating committees... POWER! In labor relations, that's what it's ALL about. Who's got it, how do you maximize yours, and knowing where to use it (think Congress, Albany, and the bargaining table), when to use it (NOW) and on what (organizing jobs, non-competes, runaway production, FCC, health care reform, freedom for recording artists...). Your solidarity and participation in AFTRA, and the allies we maintain, are where we get our power. The candidates of AftraNOW understand the power balance and how to use it to best effect for you. Please elect the entire AftraNOW team.

JANETTE GAUTIER

Incumbent NY Vice President, National Administrative Committee (since inception in 1991), Chairperson of Open Door Committee. The NY Local is in the forefront in making AFTRA a stronger national union, responding to members' needs and aggressively organizing more union work. Having served on many Negotiating Committees, including 8 Network Codes, I've witnessed first-hand the importance of having progressive, caring leadership to strengthen our positions against increasingly regressive, uncaring employers. We need the support of all our members: actors, newspersons, singers, dancers, announcers and deejays. This diversity is AFTRA's strength. My voice is yours. [Please also read my Local/National statements.]

DAN INGRAM

We need decent jobs with decent pay. We need to continue improving AFTRA member programs, Casting Seminar, AFTRA@work, Open Door, legislative programs that affect you and your income, the New York Digital Campaign. I'm an incumbent Vice President, worked most of my life under Broadcast and Freelance contracts, been your voice at Conventions, Local and National Boards, Broadcast Steering Committee, Trustee New York City Central Labor Council, and many Negotiating Committees. I'm proud to be endorsed by **AftraNOW**. They'll continue working hard for you and your family. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR OUR FUTURE. Thank you.

TREASURER

MITCH McGUIRE

I serve as both your local NY treasurer and the national treasurer. AFTRA National is moving their office to LA, my national position will end. Thus it is important to continue on as your NY treasurer, since I will then continue to be a presence in the National Finance Committee. I am proud of the many financial reporting changes that have occurred during my term as both National and Local Treasurer. By reelecting me you are keeping a New York actor voice in the policy discussions of AFTRA, and my services regarding the local financial affairs as well. AftraNOW supported

RECORDING SECRETARY

LAINIE COOKE

National Vice President, Committees: National Admin; Chair Local New Members; Co-Chair Local H&R; Co-Chair National HRIC; Co-Chair Local Legislative, among others. Strong leadership insures a voice that articulates members' needs and the vision to realize them. I am proud to be part of the leadership of AftraNOW. We have made significant strides in the legislative area and programs which furthered the education of all AFTRA members. Our job now is to organize new work for every member of this union and to insure that opportunities to work under a union contract is expanded in every area of our jurisdiction.

CANDIDATES FOR NEW YORK LOCAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACTOR CATEGORY — THREE-YEAR TERM

GERALD M. KLINE

I've served honorably many years on AFTRA and SAG Boards, negotiating and other committees: currently on SAG's Board. Many believe these unions will shortly be at loggerheads. I've tried to represent actors' best interests - one being merger - regardless of the institutions. I know I may be viewed apostate by many on both sides, but I ask your trust in my experience and belief that people can come together in common interest. Hollywood SAG solely wants to dictate AFTRA's place in the world; the NY actors' view is more comprehensive. Meanwhile, I've worked in the kitchen; I can take the heat.

RICHARD MACDOWALL

Our union, consisting of 70,000 members, is the foundation of today's show business. Our union enables us and gives us the opportunity to be part of the entertainment industry. Being an active member since 1992, I am proud to be a part of the AFTRA family. As a board member, I will make more opportunities for all members of this union, and make it easier to have a steady career with AFTRA. Your vote for me is a vote for the union and its own best interests. God bless you all and good luck in your AFTRA careers. Thank you.

MARIE MASTERS

I love AFTRA. It exists only because it has always managed to do the impossible--represent and serve the best interests of artists. Managing that impossible task is especially critical now as new media and technology present ever more bewildering challenges--and opportunities--for our members. To meet this moment, we have what we have always had--each other. I'm confident that our collective will, our vital committed constituency will prevail. I'd be honored to give back to AFTRA, my parent union and champion for the past 40 years. And I'm grateful to **AftraNOW** for its endorsement.

TOM SHILLUE

As a member of the AFTRA board, I have been active working alongside the New York Comedians Coalition. With the help of AFTRA, we were able to achieve the first city wide pay raise for New York comedians- and in the bargain make a lot of comedians aware of AFTRA and what they do for the professional performer. I was a present at the recent Comedy Central negotiations, and hope to continue working on the AFTRA board on issues like this. Endorsed by **AftraNOW**.

POLLY ADAMS

Incumbent - Local Board, past National Board member, 3-time convention delegate. Committees: H&R (co-chair), Commercial Contract Negotiating, Primetime Wages and Working, LPAF, HRIC, among others. AFTRA, SAG, Equity - 29 years - all areas of the contract. Proud and grateful union member - able to have a career and support my family because of the benefits and security my unions have afforded me. However - with unprecedented industry consolidation and unions under attack - ready and eager to give more time and energy back. Dedicated to keeping our union strong, - and members informed, productive and empowered. Endorsed by **AftraNOW**.

LAINIE COOKE

National Vice President, Committees: National Admin; Chair Local New Members; Co-Chair Local H&R; Co-Chair National HRIC; Co-Chair Local Legislative, among others. Strong leadership insures a voice that articulates members' needs and the vision to realize them. I am proud to be part of the leadership of **AftraNOW**. We have made significant strides in the legislative area and programs which furthered the education of all AFTRA members. Our job now is to organize new work for every member of this union and to insure that opportunities to work under a union contract is expanded in every area of our jurisdiction.

ANNE GARTLAN

Past President, Past National VP, many negotiating committees...POWER! In labor relations, that's what it's ALL about. Who's got it, how do you maximize yours, and knowing where to use it (think Congress, Albany, and the bargaining table), when to use it (NOW) and on what (organizing jobs, non-competes, runaway production, FCC, health care reform, freedom for recording artists...). Your solidarity and participation in AFTRA, and the allies we maintain, are where we get our power. The candidates of **AftraNOW** understand the power balance and how to use it to best effect for you. Please elect the entire **AftraNOW** team.

JANETTE GAUTIER

Good leaders should be experienced and informed. They must also have understanding and compassion. In that regard, I also ask your vote for Gerald Kline, my partner, and Martha Greenhouse, my mentor. Gold Card and Founder's Award recipient, Martha is the heart of NY AFTRA. She led the way when Jerry and I started serving 25 years ago. We were "new blood" and now we're elder statesmen! It happened in the blink of an eye. I invite you to become involved with your union. You can make a difference...and we can retire! Meanwhile, my voice is yours.

Continued on following page

ACTOR CATEGORY — THREE-YEAR TERM (CONT.)

JEFF GREENE

Hello AFTRA Local, my name is Jeff Greene. I'm a working actor here in New York City. I've been blessed to work in Theatre, Television shows and Commercials. I'm supported by **AftraNOW** which, along with other actors have encouraged me to get more involved with the union. The reason why I decided to run is, first I feel through learning from experienced board members I can gain a wealth of knowledge. By having better understanding of the issues the union faces, I feel I can contribute ways to help make it better.

MARTHA GREENHOUSE

Despite my 1975 (!) commitment to my son not to continue serving beyond a reasonable time, being NY Local President for five terms didn't seem unreasonable, nor did 42 consecutive years of Local/National Board memberships, and Convention delegate 1963 - 2005. Here I am again with the desire to serve still strong. For instance, when I encourage your premiere vote for Janette Gautier as Vice-President, I am gifting you and AFTRA. Her years of service: negotiating committees, merger efforts, outstandingly chairing Open Door; whatever is asked of her is what she provides. Oh! You can vote for me too.

ANNOUNCER CATEGORY — THREE-YEAR TERM

ERIC RATH

I'm proud to be running as an incumbent for an announcer seat on the NY Local Board. I've been an active member in the Consolidation effort and am committed to bringing this necessary "joining" of SAG and AFTRA to fruition - it is vital to maximizing the power of performers nationally. One of my proudest achievements is the on-going rehabilitation and "digitalization" of the Stanley Greene Media Training Center, of which I am Chair and where I teach. I look forward to working for you for another three years. Endorsed by **AftraNOW**. Please support the entire **AftraNOW** Team.

JEFF SPURGEON

AFTRA faces challenges: A nationally anti-union climate; fast-changing technology wiping away old definitions of the work AFTRAnS do; union-to-union disagreements threatening us from within. I support our leaders who are organizing new work, writing contracts that reflect the changing media world, advocating for our interests before our legislators, and working to resolve conflicts. I pledge to represent broadcasters' interests, and to work for better communication in our union. Not every issue affects every AFTRAn, but the health and strength of our union and what we've invested in it depends upon us all.

NEWSPERSON CATEGORY — THREE-YEAR TERM

DAVE BROWDE

Incumbent National/NY Local Board; Trustee, H&R Funds; member, AFTRA Strategic Action, Administrative, H&R and Solidarity Steering Committees. Endorsed by **AftraNOW**. The concerns of Newspeople are similar to those of other performers: we want - and need - a strong, fiscally responsible union that is not at war with management or other unions, but recognizes the need for effective partnerships that protect and create jobs. By running and encouraging other Newspersons to become more active in overseeing the union's activities, I hope to continue giving back to an organization that helps - and protects - us all.

LIZ GONZALEZ

I was elected to the local board of AFTRA 3 years ago. During that time I'm sure you have all seen the way new technology is changing our industry dramatically. I fully expect that this type of job will be very different for the next generation of broadcasters. Still it's important to defend our rights now and make sure that we don't get left behind when these changes happen. I look forward to representing my peers on the board for another term, if elected. Thank you for your vote and best wishes.

CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACTOR CATEGORY — FOUR-YEAR TERM

RUTH LAST

As YOUR voice on the National Board I pledge to support YOUR interests, fight YOUR causes, bring AFTRA back to greater influence. More work, better pay, enlarging markets-helping all members.

Background Radio/TV Actor-Announcer

From Norman Corwin through Soaps, Comedy, Rip & Read WNEW, News, Public TV Commercials on/off camera

NBC's first Woman Promo Announcer to current Political/Medical commercials-Industrials- Animations

NYU BS/Graduate

Theatre/Film-Long Membership EEOC

Member Paul Robeson Committee (AEA)

Years Vice-Chair Young Performers

Seniors Disabilities-Women's

I serve YOU - HAPPILY with PRIDE. Love Reading/ working for Book Pals.

Reach me - thelastword@aol.com

YOU come FIRST with LAST

ELAINE LeGARO

Former President; Executive Committee 10 years; Local/National Boards 25 years; Committees: Negotiating/W&W's/Open Door; Chair-Women's; created WIN Award/ campaign against Identity Theft. Hands on leader with the commitment, experience, courage to face challenges of the future. I remain sensitive to the needs of performers.

Priorities:

* Organizing Cable/Digital

* Non-Compete Bill

* Protected Groups

* Health Care

* Legislative Issues

One doesn't have to be a member of a political group to be a capable leader contributing to the membership's welfare. It's the strength of one's vision that makes a valuable Board Director. I have that vision and need your support.

JAMES LURIE

Chairman, National Legislative Committee; Incumbent, National & Local Boards. How has AFTRA's legislative work affected you? My committee has successfully fought to protect members in every category: COBRA Health Care benefits; workplace safety standards; rights for Recording Artists; Young Performer protections; legislation which brings more acting jobs to New York; we kept $500,000 individual fines out of Indecency legislation. And the struggle continues: fighting for tax breaks for performers and a reporter's shield, fighting against further media consolidation and non-competes for broadcasters - and much more. Your vote will allow me to continue this crucial work.

Endorsed by AftraNOW.

ROBERT LYDIARD

Any well-functioning Union is first and foremost, responsive to the needs and WILL of its membership. During my twenty years of service on the boards of AFTRA, I have joyfully witnessed a rapid, hands-on increased involvement in the rights and protections of our working conditions. This extends into city, state and federal political arenas as well. As trustee of the AFTRA Industry Cooperative Fund, chair of the National Young Performers Committee-Eastern Division, and member of the National Blue Ribbon Committee re. Agents, I am proud of my own participation in the process.

-Proudly supported by AftraNOW-

RICHARD MACDOWALL

LAINIE COOKE

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