Diplomatic missions in Ankara receive no ministerial request to lower flags for Atatürk

Sevil Erkuş - ANKARA

AA Photo

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has effectively ceased sending diplomatic notes to foreign diplomatic missions in Turkey asking them to fly their flag at half-mast on Nov. 10 on the anniversary of the passing of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

In line with custom, flags across the country are flown at half-staff on Nov. 10 as part of ceremonies to mark the anniversary.

Although in previous years the Foreign Ministry sent regular diplomatic notes to foreign missions accredited in Turkey asking them to fly their flag at half-mast, this was not the case this year.

This year, the ministry did not send the note, and diplomatic missions were left to decide for themselves whether or not to fly the flag at half-mast, sources from various embassies in Ankara told the Hürriyet Daily News.

However, Turkish diplomatic sources contacted by the Daily News suggested that they sent their regular diplomatic note in the form of electronic note. Still, the same sources from the embassies speaking to the Daily News denied that they had received such an electronic note.

Most of the missions contacted by the Daily News flew their flags at half-mast on Nov. 10 on their own initiative despite the lack of any note from the ministry, although a few chose not to do so.

As they were not informed about the practice regarding Nov. 10, some embassies took the initiative and contacted the ministry asking them if they would send any diplomatic notes for Nov. 10, but Turkish diplomats informed them that the ministry would not be doing so this year.