ATATURK TO BE COMMEMORATED NATIONWIDE TODAY
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, will be commemorated today nationwide on the 70th anniversary of his death. Ceremonies to remember Ataturk and his legacy will begin early this morning with an official ceremony at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. High-level state and government officials led by President Abdullah Gul, who will lay a wreath at the tomb, will be present. Many other events and activities will also take place around the country. Like every year, thousands of people are expected to flock to Ataturk's mausoleum to show their gratitude and commitment to Ataturk and his legacy. Starting at 9:05 a.m., the exact moment of Ataturk's death, flags will fly at half-mast, car horns and sirens will be sounded, and two minutes of silence will be observed throughout the country. Following that, the national anthem will be played. Ataturk died in Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace on November 10, 1938. His body was first taken to a temporary resting place at the Ethnography Museum in Ankara. When Anitkabir was completed on November 10, 1953, his body was interred in his final resting place with a grand ceremony. /Turkiye/
TOP OFFICIALS RELEASE MESSAGES MARKING 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ATATURK'S DEATH
President Abdullah Gul, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday all released messages marking the 70th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. In his message, President Gul said Ataturk was a leader who won the love and respect of not only the Turkish people but all of humanity. "The reforms and revolutions following the proclamation of the republic under Ataturk's leadership laid the foundations for a democratic, modern, independent and prosperous Turkey, and started a great transition and modernization process," he added. "While moving towards the goal of surpassing the level of civilized nations set by Ataturk, it is vitally important for Turkey to continue growing, progressing and maintaining the modernization process with unity." Toptan's message said that Ataturk's principles and revolutions would ever sustain and guide the Turkish nation. In his message, Erdogan said, "We are in the midst of a huge campaign to provide the most advanced standards of living to all our citizens, in line with the goal set by Ataturk of reaching beyond the level of civilized nations." Stressing that the republic's greatest ideal is to unite all persons of the nation on the basis of citizenship in the Turkish Republic, regardless of ethnic, religious or lifestyle differences, Erdogan added, "I believe that by protecting all values and institutions of the republic, our nation has been contributing to the realization of this goal." He also said, "In line with its founding ideal, the Turkish Republic is now one of the strongest countries of the free and prosperous world, and a prestigious member of the family of civilized nations." Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug also released messages marking the anniversary. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN REITERATES OPPOSITION TO ETHNIC, REGIONAL NATIONALISM
Speaking at a ceremony for a new housing project in Erzurum organized by the Turkish Housing Development Administration (TOKI), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has a vision which includes all of Turkey's citizens. Stressing that the AKP will not shrink from serving Turkish society, he added, "Our party has never had any part in political tension, and never will." Reiterating that AKP has long embraced the slogan "one nation, one flag, one motherland and one state," he stated that the party is opposed to ethnic and regional nationalism, and that they maintain the same distance from all beliefs. /Star/
IN ISTANBUL, BAYKAL CRITICIZES AKP
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday attended an opening ceremony in Istanbul's Bakirkoy district. In his speech, Baykal said that the district's mayor was pursuing projects focused on individuals and that the CHP wants to win the Istanbul Greater Municipality mayoral post in local elections next March so as to serve all Istanbulites the same way. Baykal also criticized the ruling Justice and Democratic Party (AKP) and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their policies on the economy and terrorism. Afterwards, Baykal attended another ceremony in the Alibeykoy district. /Cumhuriyet/
BBP HOLDS ITS 7TH CONGRESS
The Great Union Party (BBP) held its seventh congress over the weekend at Ankara's Ataturk Sports Arena. BBP leader Muhsin Yazicioglu, the sole candidate for the leadership, was reelected unanimously. Stating that he was ready to work with anyone who can promote peace in Turkey, Yazicioglu said, "I don't deal with people's religion, race or sect. I deal with their humanity." /Star/
ALEVI GROUPS HOLD RALLY IN ANKARA
Members of Turkey's Alevi community held a rally in Ankara yesterday to draw attention to their problems. Tens of thousands of Alevis and their supporters rallied to demand equal religious rights. /All papers/