The issues of strengthening of NATO-WEU relations, strengthening of WEU Exercises and Albanian Police organization and broadening of its activity field were taken up at the meeting. General K vr koglu held bilateral contacts with chiefs of general staff of other countries noted the statement, adding that ''principles concerning WEU exercises supported by NATO were discussed at the meeting. Noting that Turkey will equally participate in the Crisis Administration Exercises which will be planned and carried out by WEU Headquarter, the statement added that ''within this framework, Turkey will participate in the WEU Crisis Administration Exercise which will be carried out between 20-26, November, 1998. Thousands of civilians and soldiers march through 80 provinces and 700 counties in Turkey on Sunday in a show of respect for the memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who founded Turkey as a secular republic 75 years ago. A scout group which is walking in front of the cortege carry banners, posters including photos of Ataturk, the founder of the modern and secular republic and a big Turkish flag.
Citizens have Turkish flags in their hands.
Responding to questions of journalists, Yucel Seckiner, the State Minister said that ''if there is democracy in Turkey today, we owe it to the Republic. The march started at 10.00 in front of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium and ended at the Republic Monument at Taksim Square in Istanbul. Erol Cak r, the Istanbul Governor, Hasan Ozdemir, the General Director of Security in Istanbul, students from military and civilian schools, sportsmen and citizens marched for approximately for 3,5 hours. Turkey is secular and she will remain so,'' and sang various marches. Erol Cak r, the Governor of Istanbul said that hundreds of people living in Istanbul marched the same day to show their loyalty to the Republic and principles and reforms of Ataturk on the 75th foundation anniversary of the Republic.