Ministry ‘allows’ laying wreaths on Nov 10

This archieve photo shows students paying respects to Atatürk at Anıtkabir. DAILY NEWS photo

The representatives of political parties and NGOs will be allowed to lay wreaths at Atatürk monuments without official permission on Nov. 10, the 74th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, according to a circular from the Interior Ministry.

The circular, sent by the Interior Ministry to all 81 governorates in the country, underlined that it was obligatory for all district officials to lay wreaths at Atatürk monuments in the places where they are serving.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will not be attending the ceremonies in Ankara, as his return from the Bali Democracy Forum in Indonesia has been delayed due to his surprise visit to Brunei. Erdoğan is expected to return to Turkey on Nov. 11.

According to the circular, contrary to past practices, the representatives of political parties and NGOs will not have to request official permission in order to lay wreaths at Atatürk monuments across the country. Those wishing to lay wreaths, however, will still have to inform the necessary district officials beforehand.

The circular also introduces new rules regarding public press statements. The Interior Ministry, citing public safety, has limited the length of press statements to two hours, and participants will not be allowed to use any sound devices other than handheld speakers.

Today’s anniversary ceremonies in the capital Ankara are set to be tension-filled. The General Staff has announced that ordinary citizens will be allowed entry to Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum, only after 10.00 a.m., despite demands from NGOs that a minute of silence be observed in the area at 9.05 a.m., the exact moment that Atatürk passed away. (Hürriyet Daily News)

Memorial for Atatürk stirs fresh debate

Potential tensions loom ahead of the 74th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, on Nov. 10. The General Staff has announced that ordinary citizens will be allowed entry to Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum, only after 10.00 a.m., despite demands from NGOs that a minute of silence be observed in the area at 9.05 a.m., the exact moment Atatürk passed away.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will not be attending tomorrow’s ceremonies in Ankara. He was expected to be back in Turkey for the commemorations but is paying a surprise one-day visit today to Brunei at the invitation of its sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah.

The General Staff, who are responsible for the security of Anıtkabir, announced on Nov. 6 that the mausoleum would be closed to visitors on Nov. 9 due to preparations for the official ceremonies of Nov. 10. Ordinary citizens will be permitted to visit Anıtkabir starting at 10 a.m. on the anniversary of his death, as in previous years.

The statement from the General Staff came after NGOs lead by the Turkey Youth Union (TGB), which was the primary organizer of the Republic Day rally in front of the former Parliament building on Oct. 29, called for a minute of silence in Anıtkabir at 9:05 a.m. on Nov. 10.

Over 50,000 people gathered in Ankara’s Ulus Square in front of the former Parliament building to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic, despite the Governor of Ankara’s ban. Police used pepper gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd as they marched toward Anıtkabir.

Official ceremonies are normally held in Anıtkabir every Nov. 10, as dignitaries led by the President observe a minute of silence at 9:05 a.m. Visitors are not allowed access to Anıtkabir for security reasons until 10.00 a.m. However, this year, NGOs demanded to be allowed to observe a minute of silence at Anıtkabir and the TGB announced that they will be there at 9:00 a.m.

Anıtkabir security officials reportedly denied that there was a ban on visitors, indicating that they are applying the same procedure as they did previous years. (hurriyetdailynews)

Flag incident mars Youth Week celebrations for Greek students

AA Photo

A group of Greek students attending the 30th International Youth Week celebrations in Turkey were removed from the “Walk of Love” parade and forced to hand over the Turkish flags they carried to organizers, daily Habertürk reported.

The students were then held back at the doors of Anıtkabir.

The leader of the Greek student group also complained of being placed last in the parade lineup.
It remains unkown why the Greek students were hindered in participating in the celebrations.
(Hürriyet Daily News)