TURKEY CELEBRATES NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CHILDREN'S DAY
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day was celebrated nationwide with enthusiasm yesterday. As part of official celebrations in Ankara, state officials headed by Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Laying a wreath at Ataturk's tomb, Toptan and other top officials observed a minute of silence and sang the national anthem. "We are progressing along the road to take the republic that you entrusted us with to the level of contemporary civilizations in light of your principles," Toptan wrote in Anitkabir's memorial guestbook. He added that Parliament would forever keep the republic a democratic, secular and social state under the rule of law. At a later ceremony at the old Parliament building in Ankara's Ulus district, Toptan said it is everyone's duty to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. In the afternoon, Toptan received congratulations on Parliament's 89th anniversary. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug and force commanders, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, the heads of Turkey's three higher courts, members of Parliament's Administrative Council, deputies, top presidential aides, Council of Higher Education (YOK) head Yusuf Ziya Ozcan and representatives from other public agencies as well as from universities attended a reception hosted by Toptan in Parliament. In Istanbul, Governor Muammer Guler and other officials laid a wreath at the Republican Monument in Taksim Square, and observed a minute of silence. There were ceremonies at schools and stadiums throughout the country yesterday. President Abdullah Gul, Toptan, Erdogan, and other top state and government officials also ceremonially handed over their duties to Turkish children in honor of the holiday. Gul also attended a celebration and met with children at an elementary school in Ankara's Cankaya district. It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (Parliament) was inaugurated in Ankara and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern Republic of Turkey. He also dedicated this day to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation and since then, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day has been celebrated as a national holiday. The importance of April 23 as a special day for children has also been recognized internationally, and UNICEF declared it International Children's Day. Every year on this date, children from all over the world come together in Turkey to enjoy celebrations and festivities in the hope that these friendly memories contribute to a future of greater fellowship and peace among nations. /Turkiye/
PARLIAMENT CONVENES SPECIAL SESSION TO MARK ITS 89th ANNIVERSARY
On April 23 yesterday, Parliament convened a special session to mark the 89th anniversary of its foundation, which is also celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children's Day throughout the country. During the session, party representatives delivered speeches about the meaning and significance of the day. "Our Parliament goes down its path with the same enthusiasm, determination and responsibility as it had when it was founded," Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said in his address to Parliament. Toptan called Parliament the heart of democracy and the hope of the nation, as it was 89 years ago. He said that everyone should know that Turkey's cooperation in the Middle East, Caucasus and Balkans is firm and lasting. "The concept of the Turkish nation, defined by our great leader Ataturk as the people who established the Turkish Republic, emphasizes unity, not ethnic division," Toptan said. He said efforts to sow ethnic division threaten the greatest harm to the Turkish people, who have lived in peace and tranquility throughout history. Toptan also said that everyone should see differences as richness, not division. Toptan added that there is widespread consensus that the current Constitution is insufficient to respond to the democratic level the Turkish nation has reached. "I believe that our Parliament, in the wake of significant constitutional amendments and legal changes, will also take important steps in a spirit of pluralism and conciliation," Toptan said. Also speaking at the session, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that efforts to cause problems among Turkey's citizens are in vain. "Those who are trying to harm our atmosphere of stability and confidence and weaken us have always lost, and always will," Erdogan said. He added that any illegal initiative or underground group working to harm Parliament would be eliminated within the framework of democracy and the law. In related news, a show took place in Izmir as part of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation's (TRT) celebration of April 23rd Children's Festival yesterday. Nearly 1,000 children from 60 countries worldwide participated in the show. "TRT is very happy to welcome the children of the world in Izmir," said TRT Director Ibrahim Sahin. "I want you to tell about Turkey and its beauties when you go back to your home countries." /Turkiye/
TOPTAN HOSTS APRIL 23 RECEPTION IN PARLIAMENT
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan last evening hosted a reception at Parliament in honor of April 23, National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Attending the reception were President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, deputies and high-level state officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations and trade unions, and many foreign ambassadors. During the reception, many guests spoke about ongoing talks between Turkey and Armenia towards normalized relations and a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Asked about the Turkish-Armenian talks, Gul said these intensive diplomatic efforts had been helped by the US, Russia and the European Union. "If these efforts bring a positive outcome, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the entire region, will benefit from this," he added. "I believe that this will be understood better and appreciated in the long term." Gul also reiterated that Turkey would never do anything which would harm Azerbaijan. Asked about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Erdogan criticized media speculation, saying he would make a statement when the time comes. /Sabah-Turkiye/
GUL TELEPHONES AZERBAIJAN'S ALIYEV
President Abdullah Gul yesterday telephoned his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev. Afterwards, an official statement said the two had exchanged views on the possible normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations as well as regional and international developments. The statement said that the importance of solidarity, close cooperation and traditional understanding between the two countries was also reiterated. In related news, Gul is traveling to Sofia, Bulgaria today to attend an energy summit. /Hurriyet/
STATE MINISTER BAGIS MEETS WITH SWEDISH PM
State Minister and chief EU talks negotiator Egemen Bagis yesterday met with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeld in Stockholm. After the meeting, Bagis spoke with Anna Kinberg Batra, the chair of the Swedish Parliament's European Affairs Committee, and Urban Ahlin, deputy chair of its Foreign Affairs Committee. /Hurriyet Daily News/
AYDIN: "TURKEY WILL GIVE WHAT IT CAN TO SOMALIA"
State Minister Mehmet Aydin yesterday said Turkey would do its best to contribute aid to Somalia. "We have yet to decide on a specific amount, but Turkey will do its best," Aydin told reporters before participating in a donors conference in Brussels organized by the UN and supported by the European Union, African Union and Arab League. More than 30 countries are taking part in the conference. /Hurriyet Daily News/
AZERI DEFENSE MINISTER DUE IN TURKEY
Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev is set to visit Ankara today. During his visit, Abiyev will meet with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug. /Aksam/
TURKEY MAKES MAY 1 A PUBLIC HOLIDAY
A bill making May 1 an official holiday was passed unanimously by Parliament on Wednesday. Labor union representatives were present for the vote. The last official recognition of May 1 was ended after the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup. Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik expressed his wish that the new holiday would be a symbol of "peace and love." /Today's Zaman/
UEFA HEAD VISITS FENERBAHCE STADIUM AHEAD OF FINAL MATCH
UEFA President Michel Platini and a delegation yesterday paid a visit to Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for final inspections ahead of the 2008-09 season UEFA Cup Final match, to be played there next month. Platini was accompanied by Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mahmut Ozgener, Fenerbahce Club head Aziz Yildirim, and other officials. UEFA Vice President Senes Erzik, Ozgener and other UEFA and TFF officials were received in front of the stadium by Fenerbahce managers Murat Ozaydinli and Neset Yalcin. Platini was presented with flowers, after which he enjoyed tea, chatted and gave autographs. Afterwards, Platini and his delegation inspected the stadium and heard about preparations for the match. Platini also visited the UEFA offices at the stadium and then left for a ceremony to mark the handing over of the UEFA cup to Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas. The cup will be displayed at various spots in the city until the final game. "I've seen a great enthusiasm here and I believe it will be a fantastic final," Platini told the ceremony. Also speaking at the ceremony, Topbas said, "I'm very excited. This is the greatest chance that a mayor could ever get." State Minister for Youth and Sports Murat Baseskioglu was also in attendance. /Today's Zaman-Sabah/