Campaigning in Aydin, Erdogan vows to continue to strengthen and protect democracy

Addressing a crowd of thousands in the Aegean province of Aydin at a rally ahead of local elections late this month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said Turkey has paid dearly to promote national sovereignty, human rights and democracy, adding that there are some in Turkey who work against these ideals. Referring to the execution of Prime Minister Aydin Menderes and two Cabinet ministers following the 1960 military coup, Erdogan said: "Some say Turkey has not paid anything for democracy. But Turkey paid a very high price for democracy. The province of Aydin (Menderes' hometown) symbolizes this cost. Turkey paid a heavy price for the maintenance of freedoms, human rights, national sovereignty, independence and democracy." Erdogan stated that the mentality which led to Menderes' execution is still alive, contrary to the will of the nation. "There are those who insult and downplay the will of the public," he said. "They see themselves as superior to the nation; they humiliate the nation and look down on it. When the public pays no attention to them, when they lack the love of the public, they look for ways to cast a shadow over democracy, and these ways are ugly." He also vowed that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will continue its democratic efforts despite all obstacles. "We set out to overcome all anti-democratic interventions in politics, to fight against those who neglect the will of the nation, just as the late Prime Minister Menderes did," he said.