Turkish Republic enters 86th year amid political tension

However, tensions over an ongoing democratic initiative to expand the rights of Kurds and a recently discovered document showing a military plot to discredit the government could be felt during the events. There were also detentions as some groups not allowed to enter official ceremonies at the city stadium in Denizli defied the ban. President Abdullah Gül, who incidentally also celebrates his birthday on Oct. 29, received congratulations at Parliament yesterday.

The morning started with a ceremony at Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara, after which Gül moved on to Parliament, where he was greeted by Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin.

Erdoğan, Başbuğ and Baykal seemed tense during an official ceremony at Parliament (L), but the atmosphere was lighter when Baykal and Erdoğan had a cordial chat, discussing a possible snap election. Erdoğan and Başbuğ also had a brief, one-on-one discussion later in the day.

In a sign of uneasiness, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen shaking hands only with President Gül during the ceremonies, while he refrained from shaking hands with Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ and main opposition leader Deniz Baykal.

Başbuğ had firmly denied accusations that the military had prepared an action plan to discredit the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement, a faith-based civil society movement, when a copy of the document first emerged in June. He has been silent, however, since another document, confirmed by Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) authorities to be the original copy of the plot, emerged last week. At a press conference on Wednesday, Baykal focused on how the document was leaked to the press, declining to discuss its content.

Erdoğan and Başbuğ had a brief one-on-one discussion that lasted about five minutes during a reception President Gül hosted at the presidential palace in honor of Republic Day. It was the first contact between the two since the original copy of the document emerged. Erdoğan and Başbuğ were later joined by Parliament Speaker Şahin.

Barack Obama Obama calls for deeper partnership in Republic Day message US President Barack Obama has sent a congratulatory message to President Abdullah Gül on the 86th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, calling for “deepening” the bilateral partnership between the two allies to resolve global issues. “On behalf of the American people, I extend my warmest congratulations to you and the citizens of Turkey on Oct. 29, the 86th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as a modern, democratic and secular state,” Obama said in the message, which was published on the Web page of the US Embassy in Ankara. “More than 50 years ago, the United States and Turkey began a partnership that is based on shared values, a common vision and mutual respect. Through this partnership we have worked to resolve conflicts that span the globe. It is my firm belief that Turkey and the United States should continue to deepen this partnership to promote peace and prosperity around the world,” Obama said. “On this important date, I offer my congratulations and my appreciation for the friendship and continued partnership between our two nations,” he concluded. In early December, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to pay a working visit to Washington upon Obama’s invitation. The visit was originally scheduled to begin in late October and would have coincided with Republic Day. Some members of opposition parties and a number of columnists had criticized the scheduling of Erdoğan’s visit to the US capital on the 86th anniversary of the Turkish Republic -- which was established on Oct. 29, 1923 -- suggesting that it was not appropriate for the prime minister to be at the White House on that particular date. Later, the date of the visit was rescheduled by US and Turkish officials upon Erdoğan’s request. It is now expected to take place on Dec. 7. Ankara Today’s Zaman

Contrary to the apparent chill at Parliament, observers noted that Prime Minister Erdoğan and Baykal greeted and smiled at each other when they met at the ceremony at Atatürk’s mausoleum, a rare sight since the two have recently been at loggerheads over the government’s Kurdish initiative and debates over the military document. The two reportedly had a brief discussion on possible snap elections. “No one would know what you are up to,” said a sarcastic Baykal, hinting that Erdoğan’s AK Party could call early elections next year. “Yes, you are right. Anything can happen,” Erdoğan reportedly replied.

The cordial greeting comes shortly after the two leaders came together at the wedding of Constitutional Court President Haşim Kılıç’s daughter. The fact that Erdoğan did not shake Baykal’s hand in a later ceremony at Parliament, however, sends the message that the relationship between the two leaders has yet to be repaired.

After a moment of silence, President Gül signed the mausoleum’s guestbook. He wrote: “Great Atatürk, we experience the pride and joy of having brought our republic to its 86th anniversary. The republic has shown the entire world that our nation will never compromise on its independence and liberty. The republic has been proof of our determination to occupy the rightful place we deserve in the contemporary world.”

In his message, he emphasized that Turkey has come a long way in the areas of democratization and human rights and highlighted Turkey’s international achievements and contributions to global peace and stability.

Ceremony in Parliament

Later, the president moved to Parliament, where he received congratulations.

Güler uses hand sanitizer as protection against flu İstanbul Governor Muammer Güler cleaned his hands with hand sanitizer after shaking hands with members of the military and politicians during yesterday’s ceremonies held for the 86th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Güler shook hands with a number of university rectors, civil society leaders, political party leaders and community leaders as well as members of the military during yesterday’s ceremonies. The governor later cleaned his hands with hand sanitizer, which is frequently used as a precaution against the spread of swine flu. İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş and 1st Army Corps Commander Gen. Hasan Iğsız and did the same afterwards. Güler later asked his guards to distribute packages of hand sanitizer to reporters in the hall so that they could protect themselves against the flu. İstanbul Today’s Zaman

After the start of the ceremony, Parliament Speaker Şahin was the first to extend his congratulations, followed by Prime Minister Erdoğan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Başbuğ, Constitutional Court President Kılıç, Supreme Court of Appeals President Hasan Gerçeker, Council of State Chairman Mustafa Birden, members of the Cabinet, force commanders, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, members of Parliament’s Presidency, AK Party, CHP and Democratic Society Party (DTP) deputies and heads of various government agencies. The president also received heads of foreign missions in Turkey during these ceremonies.

DTP leader Ahmet Türk did not join yesterday’s events. DTP deputies present included Sırrı Sakık.

Meanwhile, health officials criticized politicians who shook hands at this ceremony despite warnings from the Ministry of Health to avoid handshakes until the swine flu epidemic is no longer a threat.

In İstanbul, Governor Muammer Güler, 1st Army Commander Gen. Hasan Iğsız and Mayor Kadir Topbaş, as well as İstanbul Chief Prosecutor Aykut Cengiz Engin, Chief of Police Hüseyin Çapkın and other high-ranking bureaucrats joined the ceremony on the city’s Vatan Street.

Protests against PKK returnees

Tension broke out in Adana when a group celebrating Republic Day protested the festive atmosphere that emerged after several terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members returned to Turkey last week as part of a process to establish peace in the country. The group, carrying Turkish flags and yelling out patriotic slogans, was stopped by riot police when they attempted to entered a stadium where ceremonies were taking place. There were also similar protests in Antalya and Sivas.

In Denizli, dozens of individuals were detained when members of the Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD), the CHP, the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Workers’ Party (İP), several bar associations and others attempted to cross a police barrier and enter the stadium where Oct. 29 celebrations were taking place.