Erdogan warns against using Ataturk to meet own targets

By Meryem Goktas and Sorwar Alam

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against the approach of using the nation’s symbol of independence Gazi Mustafa Kemal to meet certain ideological objectives and called for reclaiming the principles of the country’s War of Independence.

Speaking at the 79th commemoration ceremony of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk at the Bestepe Culture and Convention Center in capital Ankara Friday, Erdogan heaped praise on the founder of the modern Turkish republic and highlighted the role of his leadership during the tumultuous times of the 20th century.

"In the troubled period of the [20th] century we see that in every country a leader emerged, in search for liberation led by him. Few of these leaders brought the countries to this victory and the desired success.

“There is no doubt that Ataturk is one of these leaders," he said.

He warned against the approach of using Ataturk to meet ideological targets.

"The problem here is that there is a mentality, that wants to use our nation’s symbol of independence, Gazi Mustafa Kemal, for their own ideological objectives."

He said fascists and traitors, and their terror plots were being exposed in Turkey.

"Democratic-looking fascists have been revealed. The plot under the disguise of rights and law have also been revealed.

“The traitors, who had been infiltrated in every institution of the state as well as every structure of the society, have been revealed; the target and the actors of the siege of terror trying to be formed throughout our borders were revealed.

"Now there are totally different possibilities and different horizons in front of Turkey that breaks all these games."

The president also called for the need to reclaim principles that had been declared at the beginning of the War of Independence.

“We need to reclaim the War of Independence National Pact principles,” he said.

Earlier on social media, Erdogan commemorated “the great commander of our War of Independence, our first President Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk” through his official Twitter and Instagram accounts.

“We continue to work day and night in the direction of the target to increase Turkey, which is one of the most important legends left by Ataturk, above the level of contemporary civilization,” he said.