DAILY SABAH
Presidential and Prime Ministry sources have denied allegations that were reported Sunday in Today’s Zaman, a daily affiliated with the Gülen Movement, that the Gallipoli commemorations set to take place on April 24 have been canceled due to low anticipated participation from the countries invited.
Today’s Zaman, a daily known for its articles opposed to the ruling party and for being linked to the Gülen Movement, which allegedly orchestrated the Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 operation in an apparent attempt to topple the government, reported on Sunday that the Gallipoli commemorations were canceled due to low participation, citing an anonymous official from the government. However, sources from both the Presidency and Prime Ministry have refuted the claims that the commemorations have been canceled, refraining from offering further details over how many and which countries will participate in the Gallipoli centennial commemoration.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu sent letters to 102 countries inviting the leaders of states to attend the commemoration ceremonies in Turkey marking the 100th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Gallipoli this year on April 23 and April 24.
The invitation letters were also sent to U.S. President Barack Obama and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.