MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK COMMEMORATED
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, was commemorated yesterday in scores of ceremonies held throughout the country to mark the anniversary of his death. Present at a ceremony held yesterday morning in the capital Ankara at Anitkabir, Ataturk’s mausoleum, were President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and members of the Cabinet, Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, other party leaders, top judicial and military officials, and high-level bureaucrats. The top-level delegation stood for a minute of silence at 9:05 a.m., the exact time when Ataturk passed away 64 years ago. “Our citizens in every corner of Turkey commemorate you with respect and a profound feeling of gratitude,” wrote Sezer in Anitkabir’s visitors book. “The democratic and secular Republic that you created after your victory in the Turkish War of Independence is our most valuable treasure, one that we will keep alive forever.” /All Papers/
SEZER: “ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS WILL BE COUNTERED WITH DETERMINATION”
Speaking to a panel on “The Turkish Republic and Ataturk” at the Ataturk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History held yesterday to mark the 64th anniversary of Ataturk’s death, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that all movements aiming to destroy the democratic, secular Republic or damage the benefits which it provides to the nation would be countered with determination. Against a background of recent discussions by election winner the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of amending the Constitution so that their leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, can become prime minister, Sezer added that the practice of passing laws which apply to a single individual alone should be avoided. “We should strive carefully to implement politics according to the law, and not try to politicize the law,” added Sezer. Speaking at the same ceremony, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who vowed to step down from his party’s helm after its defeat in last week’s elections, said that everyone should remember the conditions in which the Republic was founded and the basic principles it rests on. “If we can produce more people of insight, people capable of transforming our national independence into a national consciousness, as Ataturk did, then our nation will be able to face its future with increased confidence,” added Bahceli. /Milliyet/
YSK RELEASES OFFICIAL POLL RESULTS
The Supreme Elections Board (YSK) released the final results of the Nov. 3 elections over the weekend, formally confirming the victory of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) in the polls. The AKP won 34% of the votes cast, thus giving it 363 seats in the 550-member Parliament, said Tufan Algan, head of the YSK. The center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) won 178 seats, with 19% of the votes, while nine independent candidates also won one seat apiece. The new Parliament is scheduled to hold its first session this Thursday, during which the newly elected deputies will take their oath of office. /All Papers/
ERDOGAN: “THE AKP IS NOT ISLAMIC”
In an interview in the current issue of Newsweek’s European edition, Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the AKP was not in fact an Islamist party, saying “It is not based on religion. The Turkish media tried to place us in that category.” Erdogan stated that Turkey needed “a new vision,” adding that he was going to change Turkey as he had changed Istanbul when he was mayor of the city. Asked whether the incoming AKP government would let the United States use Turkish airbases and station troops for an Iraq intervention, Erdogan stated that the relevant United Nations decisions were binding on Turkey. “If the goal is to remove weapons of mass destruction,” he added, “Iraq appears to be willing to accept the UN inspectors. If the reports of these inspectors are positive, the problem might be solved peacefully.” When asked about Turkey’s “strong relationship” with Israel, Erdogan replied that such relations would continue under an AKP government, but pointedly referred to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “We have made statements concerning Palestine because of the situation there We’re against all types of terrorism, both individual and state terrorism. We are by no means anti-Semitic.” /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH INCOMING AKP DEPUTIES
The incoming deputies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), numbering 363 all together, a clear majority set to take office this Thursday, gathered yesterday in Ankara. Speaking to the deputies, AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they would work to reconstruct the center-right and make the AKP the center of Turkish politics. Stressing that the AKP had attracted the support of voters from across the political spectrum, Erdogan said, “The prospect of AKP rule has been greeted by hope among the people, and we should embrace everyone. We have a great responsibility.” Urging his party’s deputies to refrain from moving into the special residences reserved for parliamentarians, Erdogan said, “You should live among the people who voted for you.” He also marked the anniversary of the passing away of Ataturk, vowing that the AKP government would work to reach the targets set by the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Erdogan added that during AKP rule, all positions would be assigned to people on the basis of merit and ability alone. /Turkiye/
CHIEF OF STAFF OZKOK RETURNS FROM US VISIT
Following his one-week visit to the United States, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday returned to Turkish soil. Speaking at Ankara’s Etimesgut Military Airport, Gen. Ozkok told reporters that during his stay in Washington, he had met with Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. He and the US officials conferred on Iraq, Afghanistan, the Cyprus issue, NATO, and issues pertaining to the European Defense and Security Policy (EDSP), he added. Ozkok stated that he had been pleased by the US’ candid attitude on Turkey’s concerns about Iraq and Cyprus. “The US seems very much determined to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and to end the threat posed by that country,” said Ozkok. “However, the Bush administration has not yet made up its mind on how to reach its goal.” Ozkok said that he had reiterated Turkey’s sensitivities on the Iraq issue to the US officials. “A peaceful solution to the Iraq problem must be pursued until the last possible minute. But if a military operation proves unavoidable, it must be undertaken on internationally legitimate grounds,” Ozkok stressed, adding that the US had not yet officially approached Turkey about a possible military operation. Addressing the Cyprus issue, Gen. Ozkok said that he had also reiterated that Cyprus carries great importance for Turkey’s security and that the island being admitted to the European Union at the same time as Turkey would facilitate a permanent settlement on the island. /Hurriyet/
BAYKAL: “WE WILL WORK HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE AKP”
Appearing on television yesterday, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that his party would strive to work harmoniously with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the leader of the incoming government. He stressed that the CHP would support all positive AKP government initiatives, but added that it would carry out its duty as the opposition party when necessary in order to protect Turkey’s vital interests. Addressing the possibility of AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan becoming prime minister, something which would require a constitutional amendment, Baykal said that the CHP would support amendments to Articles 76 and 109 of the Constitution to allow this. “ But we also await the AKP’s initiative to abolish deputies’ immunity [from criminal prosecution],” added Baykal, echoing a CHP campaign pledge. /Turkiye/
UN TO PRESENT CYPRUS PROPOSAL TO DENKTAS, CLERIDES
A new United Nations proposal to resolve the Cyprus issue is due to be presented today to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides. UN Deputy Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast will reportedly meet with TRNC Undersecretary Ergün Olgun to give him details of the proposal, while UN Cyprus Envoy Alvara de Soto will reportedly present the package to Clerides. After a month-long period to review the proposal, Denktas and Clerides are then to meet in order to discuss it. /Cumhuriyet/
PAPANDREOU: “GREECE SUPPORTS TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP BID”
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday took sharp exception to the stance of European Convention Chairman Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who last week publicly stated that Turkey’s accession to the EU would bring about “the end” of the Union. Papandreou stressed that Turkey’s membership bid would be a great test for the EU, adding that it would be a terrible mistake on the EU’s part if this great European project failed to enlarge its boundaries to the east of the Balkan countries. “Greece, both at the Copenhagen summit and during its term presidency [next year], will support Turkey’s membership bid, and work for the EU’s extending a date to Turkey [for its accession negotiations],” added Papandreou. /Cumhuriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION