Death of a great man

Today is the anniversary of the Ataturk’s death of Ataturk.  This morning, as every year, the klaxon sounded at 9.05 to signal a minute’s silence.  Seventy nine years after his death, Ataturk is still revered in Turkey, his picture everywhere and his actions and legacy constantly discussed.

But he is held in high regard abroad too.  Here are some of the things that have been said about him...

The death of Atatürk, who saved Turkey during the war and revived the Turkish nation, is not only a loss for his country, but it is also a great loss for Europe.

Winston CHURCHILL

 

The name of Atatürk reminds mankind of the historical accomplishments of one of the greatest men of this century.

John F. KENNEDY

He was a soldier-statesman, one of the greatest leaders of our era. He ensured that Turkey got its rightful place among the most advanced nations of the world...I take great pride in being one of Atatürk's loyal friends.
General Douglas MACARTHUR, Commander-in-Chief of the Far East Forces, U.S.A.

During a conversation with the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Soviet Union, Litvinov, I asked him who was, according to him, the most valuable and remarkable statesman of Europe. He replied that, the most valuable and interesting leader in the world was the President of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Franklin D. ROOSEVELT

And this – which I love - from British Prime Minister Lloyd George:

The centuries rarely produce a genius. Look at this bad luck of ours, that the great genius of our era was granted to the Turkish nation.

Finally, this is what Ataturk had to say about the relationship between nations:

Mankind is a single body and each nation a part of that body. We must never say "What does it matter to me if some part of the world is ailing?" If there is such an illness, we must concern ourselves with it as though we were having that illness.