Turkey: PM Erdoğan orders cancellation of events to celebrate 88th birthday of the republic, due to quake

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ordered the nationwide cancellation of today’s parades and receptions to mark the 88th birthday of the Turkish Republic following the earthquake in Van that claimed more than 500 lives.

In a circular published in the Official Gazette yesterday, Erdoğan asked the public authorities to mark Republic Day only with “wreath-laying and greeting ceremonies, and not hold other celebratory events such as parades and receptions.”
President Abdullah Gül this week was the first to announce the cancellation of a traditional Republic Day reception at the Çankaya Palace.

Meeting ahead of the National Security Council (MGK) gathering on Oct. 27, Erdoğan, Gül and Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel agreed to cancel the main military parade, held each year on Republic Day on the grounds of Ankara’s Atatürk Cultural Center, Anatolia news agency reported, but added that ceremonies in Parliament and at Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum, would still go ahead. Erdoğan is expected to pay a second visit to quake-ravaged settlements in the eastern province of Van on the weekend.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), meanwhile, criticized the Prime Ministry’s decision to cancel parades, accusing the government of being unable to understand the Republic and its values. “The Republic symbolizes the unity in the good times and bad times,” CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said in a written statement Oct. 28.

Meanwhile, Kılıçdaroğlu ordered his lawmakers to stay in the disaster area to monitor and help the relief efforts and provide regular information to him about any shortcomings in the relief effort.

Gül underlines importance of new charter

In a message to the nation, Gül underlined the need for the new constitution to provide a healthy transformation of the society in line with the today’s global requirements. “We should never forget that we must produce constructive policies through correctly understanding internal and external dynamics and necessities in order to be able to realize a healthy transformation,” Gül said in his message.

Noting that Turkey was shaken by consecutive tragedies in recent weeks – namely, a militant attack that killed 24 soldiers on Oct. 19 and the Oct. 23 Van temblor – Gül said he was sure that the Turkish people were enough mature to overcome the challenges.
“Terrorism cannot have reasonable grounds or and legitimacy. It should be understood that nothing can be achieved through terror,” he said.

October 28, 2011
SOURCE: HURRIYET DAILY NEWS