ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also acts as leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has said, ''today, the free will of our nation has been revealed once again. In line with its greatness and dignity, our nation has displayed a great democratic maturity in front of the whole world.''
Replying to questions of journalists at the AK party Headquarters after getting information about unofficial results of the local elections, Prime Minister Erdogan said on Sunday, ''Let's hope for the best for March 28's local elections. In fact, elections are the festivals of democracies. I want to mark the democracy festival. Today, the free will of our nation has been revealed once again. In line with its greatness and dignity, our nation has displayed a great democratic maturity in front of the whole world. These elections, which have been completed in democratic maturity, will prepare ground for development of our country and improvement of our cities.''
''This democratic decision of our nation will guide everyone on the path to lift the Republic of Turkey founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to the level of civilized nations. Turkey once again voted for confidence, stability, justice and development. This determined attitude of our people which repeated in local elections 17 months later the general elections of November 3, 2002, will enlighten future of our country. Our nation has shown that it had backed its will which was revealed in the general elections of 2002. It is clearly and definitely seen that our people do not want to return to those past days which caused Turkey to waste time, and to those unproductive policies,'' Prime Minister Erdogan added.
ERDOGAN: OUR NATION ONCE AGAIN VOTED FOR STABILITY
Erdogan said on Sunday, ''our nation once again voted for stability following the general elections of November 3, 2002. As the AK Party, we are thankful to this consideration. We will be loyal to sound will of our people till the end. We will display our loyalty in each work we will carry out and in each step we will take.''
''We will not become conceited with this numerical success. On the contrary, it will increase our responsibilities and modesty. Prior to the local elections, we knew that the AK party has pleased our people with its 17-month efforts. We saw traces of this pleasure everywhere we visited. We said on each occasion that the AK Party's success in the local elections will increase its responsibilities. We will fulfill our responsibilities. As I said on numerous occasions, the AK Party has to become the conscience, excitement and hope of Turkey. We do not consider numerical success a final target. Our essential goal is to serve our people despite all difficulties. According to our point of view, success is synonymous with service and responsibility. We will depend on identity and values of our people. Positions are not everlasting in the world. We will never forget that our positions are transitory. Prime ministry, ministry, deputyship and mayorship are all transient. The permanent thing is the smile in faces of our people. The AK Party has expanded its support base. We will exert efforts with a great determination to lift Turkey to the level of civilized nations. We will pay careful attention to represent all our people. We will never make any discrimination in our service,'' he stressed.
Noting that candidates of the AK Party had worked to win the local elections till the last day, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''all mayors will work without making any discrimination. The AK party will display its new political understanding based on social centralism by serving whole society.''
''People's great support that we have had shows that social and political stability appeared again and balances reached its proper place in Turkey. This result shows that institution of politics regained power and esteem. Turkey earlier experienced such results including politics' gaining stability and paving the way of the country. We will do our utmost for further development of this stability in democracy. We will make Turkey reach its delayed desires. What has won this election is the will of bringing our Republic to the level of modern civilization level,'' he noted.
Erdogan thanked YSK and provincial election boards for fulfilling their duty in a neutral atmosphere. He also thanked representatives of all political parties who contributed to Turkey's democratic culture during local elections and print and broadcasting press which worked very hard during this process.
''I would like to thank AK Party offices in provinces throughout the country which worked very hard. Our party shows great success and democratic maturity,'' he noted.
Stating that Turkish people approved his party's 17-month work with their decision, Erdogan added, ''we have more responsibility now. We will continue to walk on the path of providing our people with more services.''
(UK-EÖ-AÖ) 29.03.2004