PRESIDENT SEZER: PROTECTION OF PEACE IN OUR REGION COMES AMONG OUR FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES
ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday that protection and consolidation of peace in the region came among Turkey's foreign policy priorities.
''In this framework, Turkey wishes the developments in the region not to negatively affect peace, stability and security,'' said Sezer issuing a statement upon World Peace Day.
Presidential Press Centre noted that President Sezer stated in his message that the establishment of democracy culture in the society carried great importance for formation of lasting peace.
Sezer said that the on-going clashes, terrorism and violence in the world were the impediments in creating a peaceful world and they threatened the future.
''Turkish Republic formed its foreign policy on the basis of Ataturk's principle of 'peace at home, peace in the world.'' Turkey has gained its dignity and it has become a peace and stability factor in its region and in the world by the rational, consistent and constructive policies it pursued to date regarding international problems. Turkey will continue to contribute to efforts to reach the goal of universal peace and it will continue to extend unconditional support to the studies carried out to this end. I would like to remind that respect for human rights, democracy, freedom, equality and awareness of citizenship is the basis of peace and I hope everybody to adapt peace culture as a life style,'' said Sezer in his message.
ERDOGAN: ''TURKEY WISHES PROTECTION OF LASTING PEACE''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey, which played a very important role in installation of regional and global peace and ensuring of stability and security, wished protection of lasting peace atmosphere at its highest level.
Issuing a message upon the World Peace Day, Erdogan said that one of the most important steps in protection of world peace was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Erdogan stated that the declaration ensured that everybody equally had basic rights and freedoms irrespective of his/her language, religion, gender and race.
''Our rich history which is based on cultural pluralism and dialogue constitutes a sound basis for us regarding the efforts to decrease interreligious and intercultural tension which emerged after Sept. 11 terrorist incidents. We will continue to do our best for installation and maintenance of a lasting social and global peace in line with the needs of the democratic, and secular Turkish Republic and national security,'' Erdogan said. Erdogan added that he hoped for reaching a world which didn't need wars anymore for installation of peace.
DEMONSTRATION IN ANKARA
Some political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) held demonstration in Abdi Ipekci Park upon World Peace Day on Monday.
A group including some political parties and NGOs shouted slogans and opened banners.
Human Rights Association (IHD) Ankara branch chairman Ender Buyukculha released a speech in the demonstration and commented that sending soldiers to Iraq did not have any rightful reason.
Buyukculha said that they wanted brotherhood, equality, peace and freedom in the whole world.
The group later dispersed.
ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL
Opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) Istanbul branch laid a wreath to Republican Monument in Taksim square, Istanbul and carnations were given to citizens on World's Peace Day on Monday.
Issuing a press statement at the ceremony held at Taksim Square, CHP's Istanbul branch leader Sinasi Oktem said that ''we witness many ethnic and regional clashes in many parts of the world. We continue to defend peace with resolution and resistance in line with the words of Ataturk:'peace at home, peace in the world.' Being opponent of war is the basic criteria of being a human being. The basic need of the humanity is peace, as much as bread and water.''
Meanwhile a group of persons who convened on Istiklal Street and who carried banners written ''no to occupation in Iraq,'' on them, wanted to walk to Taksim Square. Police took tight security measures and didn't permit the group to walk there. The group was later permitted to issue a press release. Istanbul Bar's Chairman Kazim Kolcuoglu said on behalf of the group that they were against Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq.
(Öª) 01.09.2003