SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACK AGAINST THE ATATÜRK STATUE
in WASHINGTON, D.C.

A photoshopped picture of the Statue of Atatürk posted on a Facebook page a few days ago, was circulated on social media. The sign appearing as if it was placed in front of the statue is actually a false image, a photoshopped image; but nevertheless a hateful attack against the great humanist and international peacemaker, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who,” worked all his life for the development of harmony and cooperation between peoples without distinction“. (UNESCO, 1981, The centennial of Atatürk’s birth)

Atatürk has been praised, and still continues to be praised by many historians, statesman, journalists, artists, poets, and social scientists. But he is “a hero who needs no praise to remain immortal.” Attempts to debase his reputation by linking Atatürk to events which happened prior to his assumption of power will go nowhere.

There will always be irresponsible politicians and radical groups who attempt to twist the tragedies of wartime events, and refuse to make peace by accepting the historical facts. Even though Atatürk was responsible for withdrawal of Greek forces from Anatolia after World War I, his sincere attempt to pursue a peaceful policy toward Greece was welcomed by the Greek Prime Minister of the time, Elevtherios Venizelos, resulting in a friendship which became so strong that Venizelos nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934, praising him as ”a great reformer” who made ”a precious contribution to the cause of peace.”

Prime Minister Venizelos was not the only Greek statesman who believed in Atatürk’s commitment to peace, and admired him. His successors, Panagis Tsaldaris and Ioannis Metaxas also had high respect for Atatürk’s determination to bring peace to the Turkish-Greek relations at the time. Ioannis Metaxas had this to say about the architect of modern Turkey:

“… Greece, which has the highest estimation of the renowned leader, heroic soldier, and enlightened creator of Turkey. We will never forget that President Atatürk was the true founder of the Turkish-Greek alliance based on a framework of common ideals and peaceful cooperation. He developed ties of friendship between the two nations which it would be unthinkable to dissolve. Greece will guard its fervent memories of this great man, who determined an unalterable future path for the noble Turkish nation.”

These words by Metaxas are the clearest proof showing that there is no such historical issue between the two countries and no blame for acts of crime, in contrast to the claims of some groups, such as the ones stating that they represent Greek, Armenian and Assyrian populations.

Atatürk’s slogan was “Peace at home, peace in the world.” Having lived through many battles and wars, he was able to say: “Unless a nation’s survival faces peril, war is a crime.”

Captured Greek officers who were fighting against Ataturk during the Greco-Turkish war described his sensitivity and kindness towards them as prisoners of war, in their memoirs.

Atatürk’s magnanimous personality and his great leadership was recognized worldwide, and his memory was honored by the UN and UNESCO in 1981, the centennial of Atatürk’s birth, by declaring it “The Atatürk Year in the World”. Resolution on the Atatürk Centennial is as follows:

“Convinced that personalities who worked for understanding and cooperation between nations and international peace will be examples for future generations,

“Recalling that the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, will be celebrated in 1981,
“Knowing that he was an exceptional reformer in all fields relevant to the competence of UNESCO,

“Recognizing in particular that he was the leader of the first struggle given against colonialism and imperialism,

“Recalling that he was the remarkable promoter of the sense of understanding between peoples and durable peace between the nations of the world and that he worked all his life for the development of harmony and cooperation between peoples without distinction of color, religion and race,

“It is decided that UNESCO should collaborate in 1981 with the Turkish Government on both intellectual and technical plans for an international colloquium with the aim of acquainting the world with the various aspects of the personality and deeds of Atatürk whose objective was to promote world peace, international understanding and respect for human rights.

There are many other historical facts which clearly detail Ataturk’s efforts to establish and maintain peaceful relations with Turkey’s neighbors, and even with its former enemies. These historical facts are the proof of his great acts for humanity; not his “crimes against humanity”, as it is written on the baseless declaration which was photoshopped on a photograph of his statue.

The fact that even though Atatürk had personally commanded the defense of the Gelibolu peninsula against the ANZAC invasion during The Gallipoli campaign, between 1915 -1916, Australians and New Zealanders remain welcome in Turkey to this day, thanks to Ataturk’s unprecedented decision of embracing the dead of an invading army as adopted sons of Turkey.

And the fact that the invitation extended by Turkey, under Atatürk’s orders to the persecuted Jewish Scholars saved the lives of more than 200 prominent political immigrants escaping from Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945, by offering them refuge in Turkey. The Turkish government, answering a request for help from the Emergency Assistance Organization for German Scientists (the Notgemeinschaft Deutscher Wissenscbaftler im Ausland) In July 1933, offered positions in its newly reformed higher education system, to senior level persecuted scientists and physicians, composers (Jewish and non-Jewish). Albert Einstein also played a role in securing a safe place in Turkey for the persecuted Jewish Scholars, and he even considered an offer to work in Turkey before opting for the Institute for Advanced Study in the US.

Atatürk’s legacy and his message for peace and unity for humanity will live on forever.The 35th president of the United States, John F Kennedy’s words sums it up so elegantly:

“Atatürk, with his historic achievements, was one of the greatest leaders of this century (20th). He was a towering figure of human ideals. His extraordinary leadership and his military genius accomplished so much for his country; first in battlefields, and then in building his nation, materially and in spirit. He created a modern and sovereign state from the ashes of a defeated empire. He was a great peace-maker, an ultimate reformer and a torch-bearer of freedom. He won not only the heart of his nation but the hearts of the oppressed nations as well. We all miss him.”

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Source: Atatürk Society of America | ASA
Associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications