May 19 Commemoration Of Ataturk, Youth And Sports Day

ANKARA (A.A) - 19.05.2002 - May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day is celebrated throughout the country with ceremonies.
Celebrations started with a state ceremony in Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic.
President Sezer wrote on the Anitkabir Special Notebook. Sezer wrote, ''we will continue to exert efforts to make Turkish Republic, which you founded by integrating with our nation, to reach universal dimensions, and become one of the esteemed member of the contemporary world.''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit could not attend the ceremonies due to his health condition, and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, who is abroad, also did not attend attend the celebrations.
Many students and teachers also attended the ceremony.
MAY 19 YOUTH AND SPORTS DAY CELEBRATED IN ISTANBUL, TRNC AND ASGHABAT
The ceremony was held in front of Republic Monument in Taksim Square.
After the laying of wreath, a minute of silence was observed and National Anthem was sung.
Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir signed the Monument Special Book.
Meanwhile, May 19 was also celebrated in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Parliament Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and Turkey's Ambassador to TRNC Hayati Guven attended the ceremony.
In the meantime, the day was also celebrated in Turkmen capital Ashgabat.
Turkey's Ambassador to Turkmenistan Mehmet Bahattin Gursoz laid a wreath to Ataturk Monument. Then, the participants observed a minute of silence and sung national anthems of Turkey and Turkmenistan.