Arinc: It Is Their Discretion

ANKARA - Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, speaking about the attitude of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and force commanders in not participating to April 23 reception, said, ''it is their discretion.''
Speaking to reporters, Arinc said ambassadors of all countries came to the reception with their wives, stating that local and national media representatives, NGOs, and bureaucrats also participated in the reception.
Arinc said there were efforts to bring the reception to the point of tension with various speculations, noting that, ''some irresponsible people in Turkey wanted to cast shadow over Children's day. But they were not successful.''
ERDOGAN: IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CREATE TENSION IN OUR COUNTRY, WE WILL NEVER RESPOND TO THEM
Erdogan responded to the questions of reporters at the reception hosted for April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
When journalists recalled discussions recently about headscarf and stated that some parliamentarians participated in the reception with their views wearing headscarf, Erdogan said, ''there is unemployment on the agenda of the country. There are efforts to further improve economy. We had stated before November 3 elections that we would not be a side of tension in the society. If there are sides who want to create tension, we will never respond to them. We will never make those an issue of political polemics.''
GUL: Everybody takes his own decision
Gul responded to the questions of reporters at the reception hosted to mark the 83rd anniversary of the opening of Parliament.
When a journalist said there was not much participation to the reception, Gul said, ''Parliament is the biggest and most sublime institution of Turkey. We are celebrating its foundation anniversary.''
When asked whether or not he was offended to those who did not attend the reception, Gul said he had nothing to say to those that did not attend.
(AY) 23.04.2003