ANKARA - A ceremony was held in Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic, to commemorate the Great Leader on the 64th anniversary of his demise.
State officials headed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer laid a wreath on the Mausoleum and observed a minute of silence.
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin, Land Forces Commander Aytac Yalman, representing Chief of General Saff, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan, party representatives, bureaucrats, some deputies and other state officials attended the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Sezer signed Anitkabir Special Book. Sezer wrote that Turkish citizens were commemorating Ataturk with respect today as on every November 10.
Sezer said that democratic and secular Republic founded by Ataturk was the most precious value.
Citizens who met values of modern world with the virtue of the Republic were aware of the meaning and importance of acquisitions in the last 79 years, Sezer noted.
Sezer said that new generations would strengthen the Republic and carry Turkey to brilliant future in the light of Ataturk's principles and reforms.
Turkish nation, which had always showed the sensitivity to protect the Republic and its values, will transfer this determination to forthcoming generations, Sezer added.