First Prime Minister Visiting Ataturk’s Birth House

Erdogan paid a visit to the Ataturk House with the companionship of the local Greek security forces yesterday. Obtaining information after visiting the house, in which Ataturk was born, Erdogan examined the Holy Quran being present in Zubeyde Hanim’s, Ataturk’s mother, room. Meanwhile the Greek media intensely followed Erdogan due to his being the first prime minister visiting the Ataturk House.

Meanwhile, information is given that the Greek side warned Turkish delegation for a possible danger to go to the Ataturk House from Thessaloniki Airport due to the demonstrations against globalization in the morning hours. The reports indicated despite the warning Erdogan preferred to visit the Ataturk House. The Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreau made a phone call immediately after Erdogan entering the house to see if there is a problem.

Having a press briefing with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and former Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis late at night on the other day, Erdogan stated that the leaders at the summit watched the reform efforts by Turkey with great attention. Erdogan said, "They said that they followed these [reform efforts] with surprise and they believed there would be lots of things in 2004." He also indicated Turkey still has good intention towards the Annan Plan. Prime minister renewed government’s determination for completing the seventh adaptation package until August. He stated that the bilateral problems with Greece were not put on the agenda during the talks and the reform packages were discussed in. At the end of the briefing, Prime minister said that the steps of Turkey affected all the leaders.

Salih Boztas / Thessaloniki / GREECE