Mustafa Kemal and Armenian Allegations

Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 8 2005

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkish republic said
“International society cannot accuse for anything us about the
decision of Armenian relocation which we had to took” according to
Turkish historical documents, Turkish Anatolian News Agency reports.

“Contrary to the forgeries against us, all who were forced to
re-settle are alive and if the Allied State did not force them to
make war against us, most of them could return their home now”.
Mustafa Ataturk told Clanence K. Streit, American journalist, on 26
February 1921 that Armenians exaggerated the events: “When the Russian
Armies started a great attack against us, Armenian Tashnak Committee
which was under the Tsarist service, encouraged the Armenian people
who were behind the Turkish troops to riot. We always felt ourselves
that we were between two fires. Our supply, logistic and medical
convoys were attacked and massacred with no mercy, the bridges and
roads were damaged and there was a terror campaign against the Turkish
villages. The bandits lured all Armenians who could combat. Thanks to
the capitulations, the weapons were stocked in the Armenian villages.”
“The international community who simply ignored the English attitude
towards Ireland during the war and peace times, cannot justly accuse
us for the decision of Armenian relocation which we had to took.
Contrary to the accusations and forgeries, most of those who were
relocated are still alive. And most of those who were relocated could
return their homes now if the Allies States had not forced them to
join the war against us.”

8 May 2005