WHAT THEY SAY FOR ATATÜRK!
France
Atatürk is a good man with a good heart. The Turkish Nation sees itself in
his personality.
One can easily see the characteristics of humanity in him.
Nouvelle Newspaper
If he has won the war and he is more to win, he will also make peace. Believe
my words and let me tell you that he will succeed. He will do good and perfectly
so, he will achieve a great success that no-one has ever achieved.
Claude FARRERE, French Author
Atatürk’s distinctive creativity appears when he proceeds his energetic work
with delicacy even after the danger is far removed. He manages to give an
irresistable attraction to every move he makes. It is impossible to explain this
with logic. This is his personal talent.
Maurice Pernot, French Journalist
One of the most exceptional events of this era is the establishment of a
national Turkish State while the Ottoman Empire disappears like a ghost. Mustafa
Kemal has done something great. The victory of Turkish nationalism has effected
Asia and Kemalism has influenced all countries fighting for freedom.
Maurice BAUMANT, French Professor
He was a great man ... He was a political genius.
Excelsior Newspaper
One day he told me that there are small nations depending on very strong
countries. He said that the future belongs to those small nations rather than
the strong countries. I kept his words in mind. Because, these words reflect the
deep meaning of the success of Atatürk, who was known as the most dependable,
alert and clever man of the near East before his death.
A French Journalist
At this moment, I share the deep sorrow of Türkiye because of the loss of the
great nationalist and great statesman who devoted all his life to the freedom of
his country. His mission, both within blood and peace, will pass to all nations
that are in sincere relation with the Turkish Nation. The French Nation feels
sorrow for this loss that the Turkish Republic faces today.
Alber LEBRUN, French President
Kemal Atatürk is an idealist. The reason he has managed to do great things
is, he has always kept principles and has managed to limit his passion.
Şarl De Şambron, French Diplomat
He was one of the greatest men of the era.
Le Jour-Echo de Paris
The Turks, known as the most loyal nation, will never forget that Atatürk was
the deliverer of his country.
Noell Roger, French Newspaper
The great man that stood in front of me was some mysterious talent and
character that I had explored, there was no doubt in his words.
Claude Farrer, French Author
Old Türkiye had been under domain for centuries, yet, it awakened with his
efforts and glamoured with his reforms.
Jean Laubespin, French Journalist
Turks of today have reached their position that had frightened Europe
centuries ago. The Türkiye that waits in silence with his death is a strong and
ripened Türkiye.
Pierre Dominique, French Journalist
The man beyond centuries!...
Paris, French Press
He had sharp looks that sparkled suddenly. His strong character and his speed
of understanding shows itself in the movement of his hands. The bright tone of
his voice shone like the steel.
Mustafa Kemal is really a young, neat man believing that was born to rule his
nation.
Mme. B. G. Gualis, French Journalist
The masterpiece he has created in wisdom and peace will leave its trace in
the histories of the peoples.
Albert LEBRUN, French President
He has won all the ranks of a country in which he has abolished every rank.
The most honourable name that could ever be given to someone in his country was
given to him.
Mercel Sauvage, French Journalist
Kemalism invented the fast path to development and has proved that even with
one generation of disciplinary education, a great populist civilization can be
developed.This can be proposed to mankind as an experimental example of
philosophy. Kemalism has terminated things that could normally be achieved only
in centuries.
Gerrard Tongas, French Author
Atatürk has died. The east column of the peace temple went down. No one can
guarantee peace in the universe anymore. The European statesmen did not listen
to his warnings and advice in 1930 and lead the world to disaster in the second
great war in 1939.
SANERWIN, French Newspaper
He had closed his steel blue eyes to the beautiful light of nature, he was
supernatural. Figaro, Paris Atatürk has managed to create the miracle to
immortalize a nation in a couple of years.
Le Temps, Paris
The answer the French Prime Minister gave to those who said “He stabbed us
from the back, he agreed with the bandits of the mountains, he agreed with those
like Mustafa Kemal” after the Ankara Treaty:
“If that brave man Mustafa Kemal and his brave soldiers were here, instead of
naming them the bandits of the mountains, we would put statues of them in every
square. I am proud to sign such a brave agreement.” (1921)
BRIAND, French Prime Minister
We have seen the blessings and success of the democracy spirit only with
Atatürk. France
He was a revolutionary and a rebel at first, then he became “the father of
the Turks” as a victorious commander and created the New Türkiye. He cast out the
Sultans, gave freedom to women and realised a radical reform in his country.
From Paris-Soir
Just a glance from the Father of the Turks will be enough to his loyal
nation.
Noelle Roger, French Newspaper
It can clearly be said that the world of Islam was to wait for at least
another fifty years.
Berthe Georges-Gaulis
Thousands of Arabs that gathered in Jerusalem are shouting “Long Live Mustafa
Kemal Pasha” to the heavens bravely although there are machine guns located at
minarets and towers and there are English soldiers in armed vehicles surrounding
them.
Pierre Benoit
Mustafa Kemal walked a few steps. The commander of the 19th Division stayed
put for about a minute between the two armies. Then, slowly he began raising his
right arm and walked towards the enemy front.
The Turkish Infantry leaped out of their positions shouting “Allah, Allah”.
They managed to defeat two English Battalions. North Lancashire Battalion was in
a shock and was forced to retreat. Wiltshire Battalion died under bayonets. The
Turks came down the slope in an irresistable attack. They threw the enemy,
including the New Zeland soldiers, to the sea.
Benoist-Mechin, French Statesman
Young Türkiye has accompanied Europe with her interest in and attention to
science.
There is not one thing missing to force us to salute him in the name of
civilization.
Edouard HERRIO, Former French Prime Minister
You can not appreciate him enough. You can not value his greatness. He
resembles a giant mountain. Those living next to it can not realise how great it
is. One has to look at it from a far distance inorder to understand its
greatness.
Klod FARER, French Author
This revolution belongs to Mustafa Kemal, an extraordinary distinctive man. I
have lived around him for five years and had the chance to gain his friendship.
I used to notice that Atatürk was sometimes happy, talkative, anxious and always
far from desires and assumptions... When I got in, he was on foot. He wore a
nice suit. I talked. When he realised that I had memorized the things I was
saying, he left the paper he was holding and answered me in Turkish instantly.
His personality was attractive, like magic. He used to gaze far away and the
moment they were locked on you, his eyes would calm down. He was blond, his hair
framed a determined forehead. He had a strong, muscular body that resisted the
heat of the deserts and the glaciers of the high mountains. He had broad
shoulders that could carry all sorts of responsibilities. He was born to accept
victory.
Ch. De CHAMBRUN, Former French Ambassador to Ankara
I would like to express the feelings of loyal friendship of the French Nation
to the Turkish Nation on the 25th Anniversary of the death of Great Atatürk.
Today, Turkish history is linked to the Western and European history. The
efforts of Atatürk have made this possible. The friendship of our countries for
centuries is one of the basic characteristics of this improvement.
Charles De GAULLE
Whenever we read about the life of an important diplomat or a great commander
in history, we take pleasure of imagining his face, words or his impressions and
we say, “How I wish I knew him”.
There is no doubt that our children will think alike when they learn about
the exciting life of the great soldier and revolutionist Kemal Atatürk who
directed the future of today's Türkiye. He had stayed in dungeons for weeks
because he was a reformist. He won the freedom of his country while he was the
commander. He decided for the Republic and constructed its establishments while
he was the State President. His life is exciting for sure. ... However, I would
like to remind an important issue concerning Kemal Atatürk’s personality. He was
telling us about the war. All of a sudden he stopped and said:
- As you see I have lots of victories. Still, I feel the pain and sorrow for
the soldiers who died on the battlefield every night. Because of the heart he
has, apart from his courage and sharp mind, the miracle he has created for his
country is never surprising.
George BENNES, Paris Vu Newspaper, 1938
High personalities of the era had announced in their books and at conferences
that Türkiye would never have the chance to transform and that it would die.
However, it transformed and didn’t die. And it changed completely. Beliefs,
traditions and styles went down. The last traces of them were thrown out of the
country just like the enemy battleships and their capitulations. Türkiye had
changed her spirit. Completely and as far as one can imagine...
How did this happen?
Simply, a man passed by. A man of middle height, walking ordinarily, yet,
with sharp eyes with sharp looks.
His name was Mustafa Kemal.
Raymond CARTIER, Le Nouvelliste Newspaper, Paris, 1938