CARTOON OF ATATURK IN AUSTRALIA HOLDS PAPER READING ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’

AZG Armenian Daily
05/10/2006

In mid-September when the Moslem world was furiously reacting to
Pope Benedict XVI’s offensive statement about Prophet Muhammad and
some extremist organizations were carrying out anti-Christian acts,
Australian finance minister Peter Costello pointed out to modern
Turkey.

In the cartoon that an Australian newspaper published, Ataturk was
holding a paper that read "Armenian genocide." A caption under the
cartoon read, "He [Castello] raiseth up Ataturk… Secular Turkey
that was created by glorious hero of Gallipoli Battle Kemal Ataturk
is a model for the Moslem world. As a model it plays a role of leader
in that world. ", Zaman daily reports.

In the article accompanying the cartoon, the writer asserted Turkey
abolished most of the restrictions imposed by Ataturk. Dennis Altman,
writer of the article, indicated it was ironic of Costello to have
praised Turkey last week.

The article claimed Ataturk saw religion as a barrier against progress;
therefore, he attempted to prevent religion from holding a public
role in modern Turkey.

It was further asserted that Ataturk tried to impose his opinions in
a way that could shock both secular and pious Australians.