Nation stops to remember Atatürk (65th anniversary of his death)

NTV ^ | 11/10/2003 | N/A

[a_Turk]

November 10 - The Turkish nation paused on Monday to mark the anniversary of the death of its founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Atatürk passed away at 9:05 am on November 10, 1938. At that moment, 65 years later, All of Turkey stopped to mark a minute’s silence, with traffic halted in the street and Turkish citizens standing to attention.

In his message to commemorate the passing of Atatürk, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the principles that the nation’s founding father had laid down would continue to guide the country in the future.

Atatürk was the symbol of national unity, independence, modernisation and enlightenment, Sezer said.

“The Turkish nation is aware of its past and the meaning and importance of the sacrifices and struggles made and efforts undertaken,” The President’s message read. “It is our mission to protect the values of the Republic, to digest its thoughts and philosophy. The Turkish nation is resolved to protect and keep alive the modern, democratic and secular Republic forever.”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan described Atatürk as a great world leader, a military genius and a statesman.

The Turkish nation continued to walk on the path shown by Atatürk to become modern civilisation, he said

[a_Turk]

I thought you might find these interesting:

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My Favorite Ataturk Quote

"Those heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now living in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore Rest in Peace. There is no difference in the Jonnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.

You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well."

Gallipoli 1934



Turkish Youth!

Your first duty is forever to preserve and to defend the turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic.

This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad who will wish to deprive you of this treasure. If some day you are compelled to defend your independence and your republic, you must not tarry to weigh the possibilities and circumstances of the situation before taking up your duty. These possibilities and circumstances may turn out to be extremely unfavourable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your republic, may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the annals of the world. It may be that, by violence and ruse, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may be captured, all its shipyards occupied, all its armies dispersed and every part of the country invaded. And sadder and graver than all these circumstances, those who hold power within the country may be in error, misguided and may even be traitors. Furthermore, they may indentify their personal interests with the political designs of the invaders. The country may be impoverished, ruined and exhausted.

Youth of Turkey's future,

Even in such circumstances it is your duty to save the Turkish Independence and Republic.

You will find the strength you need in your noble blood.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk



WHAT THEY SAY FOR ATATÜRK!

Note : Quatations from Mr. Fethi BOLAYIR's book “Atatürk Quotations and Quotations on Atatürk” have been made while preparing this section.

 Afghanistan

 Albania

 Austria

 Belgium

 Bulgaria

 Canada

 China

 Czechoslovakia

 Denmark

 Egypt

 Finland

 France

 Germany

 Greece

 Holland

 Hungary

 India

 Iran

 Iraq

 Israel

 Italy

 Japan

 Lebanon

 Norway

 Pakistan

 Poland

 Romania

 Russia

 Spain

 Sweden

 Switzerland

 Syria

 Tunisia

 Turkey

 United Kingdom

 United States of America

 Yugoslavia

A few of his quotes:

“When our nation seemed to cease to exist in a most horrible way, our ancestors voice, calling their children to fight against surrender, rose in our hearts and invoked the last Independence War.” (1921)

“Life means fight and struggle. Success in life is only possible with success in fight.” (1927)

“We are a nation asking for life and independence, and sacrifice our lives only and solely for this.” (1921)

“There is no principal of asking for justice and mercy. Turkish Nation and Turkey’s children of the future should never forget that for a moment.” (1927)

“This nation has not, cannot and will not live without independence. Independence or death.” (1919)

“Our principle is, for Turkish Nation to live a respected and proud life. This principle can only be achieved by acquiring a complete Independence. No matter how wealthy or prosperous a nation is, without the independence, it is considered nothing more than a slave in civilized humanity.” (1927)

“To me, to have and to keep its honour, dignity and ethics continuously, a nation must always have its independence and freedom.”

“Freedom, equality, justice; all are based on national sovereignty.”

“In all our history, we are a symbol nation of freedom and independence.”

“Heroic Turkish Soldier, understanding the meaning of Anatolian wars fought for a new country.” (1921)

“Nowhere in this world, not in any nation, it is possible to mention women's struggle above Turkish Anatolian peasant women's struggle.”(1923)

“There is no appraisal for the sacrifices and heroism of this nation's children.”

“World citizens must be educated to refrain themselves from jealousy, greed and hatred.”(1935)

“Peace at Home, Peace in the World”

“Unless the nation's life is in direct danger, war is a murderous crime.” (1923)

“There was only one decision: It was to establish a new and unconditionally independent Turkish State based on national sovereignty.” (1919)

“The Turkish Grand National Assembly is the one and the only representative of the Turkish State.”

“Our opinion is that power, sovereignty and government must be directly given to the people and should be in the hands of the people.”

“It is the nation's iron fist that writes nations’ oath which is the main principle of our independence to the annals of history.”(1923)

“We want free and independent life within our borders.” (1921)

“The nations without a national pride are prey of the other nations.” (1923)

“If a society does not walk on the same path for the common purpose together with its men and women technically and scientifically, it is not possible to go forward and become civilized.”

“Our inspirations are not from skies and unknown worlds but straight from the true life.”

“The fact that we gained our national sovereignty and through action handed over to the people, and undoubtedly proved that we can keep it in their hands, are our biggest strength and most trusted foundation.”

“The principle is, to keep the national power active and to render the will of national sovereignty.” (1919)

“From now on the nation will control its life, its independence and its existence.” (1923)

“History can never deny a nation's blood, rights and existence.”(1919)

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Sorry about any spelling errors..

[a_Turk]

ping.

[DeuceTraveler]

Heh.

"Sir, we can't charge the ANZACs with bayonets, it's suicide!"

"I do not order you to fight! I order you to die!"

Probably have the quote all messed up, but the saving of his position in defense against the ANZACs is one of his defining moments.

[SpookBrat]

Bump!

[wtc911]

In the next war his beloved country was crucial to Hitler's war machine by ignoring Allied pleas for true neutrality and profiting through the supply of ninety percent of the chromium needed by the Nazis. Only in January 1945 with the outcome of WW2 clear did turkey declare war on Germany. The UN was in the process of being born and only those nations that had declared war on the Axis would be granted charter status.

Five years later a brigade of soldiers sent to Korea bought turkey into NATO.

Fifty years later they closed the door to our troops, leaving the 4ID out of the fight in Iraq. This done to please France and Germany in hopes of being accepted as European and let into that club.

Attaturk was a great man. He was also the first and last to lead his country through principle rather than opportunism.

Flame away turk lovers...your story is well known.

[BlueString]

"In his message to commemorate the passing of Atatürk, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the principles that the nation’s founding father had laid down would continue to guide the country in the future."

I didn't know killing hundreds of thousands of Greeks and Armenians--bringing the entire race to the brink of extinction--were principles. Damn, Hitler must have been the most principled man ever to have lived, if genocide is to be considered a principle.

I hope that bastard is burning in Hell.

[wtc911]

A conservative, patriotic Christian who loves turkey...a country that not only is responsible for US service deaths in WW2 (through its well known dealings with Hitler) and GW2 (closing out our forces and preventing a second front) but one that closes down by edict Christian churches and media. Strange affiliations you claim.

[Koblenz]

Attaturk was a great man. He was also the first and last to lead his country through principle rather than opportunism.

What about Turgut Ozal? He seemed pretty decent.

[a_Turk]

He was one of the greatest leaders of our age as a soldier and as a statesman. He has made Turkey take its deserved place among the most developed countries of the world. He has given the Turks the feelings of confidence and endurance. I am proud of myself for being one of Atatürk’s loyal friends.

McARTHUR, General

[BamaDi]

ditto....i lived in turkey for two years in the early 70s and loved it...i went over "against my will" since my dad was military AND head of the family (make no mistake about that)...but a friend gave me great advice before i went - to get to know the people and the country and it would be a wonderful experience. I followed that and will treasure those two years forever....one of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a gold Ataturk coin that I had put in a bezel and wear on occasion....

[wtc911]

To be fair, the Armenian genocide at the hands of the turks happened prior to Attaturk. There are plenty of legitimate, more recent and current reasons to despise these duplicitous opportunists.

[Questor]

I hope that bastard is burning in Hell.

AMEN........

[a_Turk]

The death of Atatürk, who saved Turkey in the war and resurrected the Turkish Nation after the war, is a great loss not only for his country but also for all of Europe. The tears of people from all classes in the country are nothing but the proof of respect of the brave and modern Turkey for its leader.(1938)

Winston CHURCHILL, Prime Minister of England

[wtc911]

I thought that Turgut was most proud of his Kurdish heritage. But, you are right, he did nudge turkey closer to the western model.

[jjm2111]

bump

[Questor]

Your repect is misplaced...read some history. The truth just might set you free.....

[BlueString]

Yeah, he only butchered some Greeks, Armenians, and Assyrians and leveled an entire town and murdered its entire populace, but who cares about them.

You should be ashamed.

[a_Turk]

Click through the links below the article. I don't require the advice of mental midgets..