Sezer Issues Message To Commemorate Great Leader Ataturk

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Sunday that great leader Ataturk, the founder of secular and modern Turkey, was always in the hearts of people and his principles and revolutions would continue to guide the future of the country.
Issuing a message upon the 65th death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, President Sezer said that Ataturk was the symbol of national unity, independence, modernization and enlightenment. Noting that Ataturk set up a new state, President Sezer said that Ataturk undertook the Turkish Revolution to integrate with modern world and he presented a democratic Republic and independent country as a gift to the Turkish nation.
''Turkish nation is aware of its past and the meaning and importance of the sacrifices and fights given and efforts launched. It is our mission to protect the values of the Republic, to digest its thoughts and philosophy. The Turkish nation is resolved to protect and make live the modern, democratic and secular Republic forever,'' Sezer said in his message.
ERDOGAN: ATATURK CONTINUES TO GUIDE TURKEY

Issuing a message upon the death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Ataturk proved that he was a great leader in the world with his political and military genius and talents as a statesman.
Erdogan said that Turkish nation continued to walk on the path shown by Ataturk to reach and go beyond the modern civilization level, adding that basic means of reaching that target was to have high standards in education, science, information, technology, democracy and freedom.
ARINC ISSUES MESSAGE UPON 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OF ATATURK

Arinc said that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, left the mission to carry the state to a modern level and he added that everybody should act in determination and had to further exalt the state and democratic parliamentary regime.
Arinc said that Turkish people should remember the mission and obligation to reach the targets that Ataturk had shown while expressing gratitude to him today. He added that Ataturk left the mission to carry the state to a modern level together with the state he had formed from the ashes of Ottoman Empire.
Arinc said that the Parliament which had formed State of Turkish Republic had been launching efforts to fulfill this historical mission since the first day.
(GC-ÖŞ) 09.11.2003