Special guests and tension mark April 23, Childrens' Day in the TBMM

Attended by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, making his final appearance at a special session of parliament before he steps down from Cankaya Presidential Palace as his term comes to an end, the Turkish Parliament also had guests such as US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson, as well as many other foreign ambassadors yesterday. Also present were top military leaders General Yasar Buyukanit, General Ilker Basbug of the Turkish Land Forces, General Faruk Comert of the Turkish Air Forces, and General Commander of the Turkish Gendarme, General Isik Kosaner.
 
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose possible candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections is subject of wide speculation in the capital, made a speech in honor of April 23 yesterday in the TBMM. He was applauded widely by AKP MPs as he approached the podium. Tension was visible in the TBMM when opposition leader Deniz Baykal rose to address the General Assembly, as Baykal criticized the ongoing election period, noting "The process is not an election, it is more like an official declaration. We cannot have a single party regime electing a president like this." Baykal's words were protested by the AKP MPs present, who banged on their desktops in response to Baykal's words.