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Damn the hyenas trying to strangle the lion! The forgotten Atatürk

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Date: March 27, 1933

Page 144 of Volume 26 of The Complete Works of Atatürk, published by Kaynak Yayınları.

I am quoting it exactly as it is:

''Look at the sun that is now about to rise from the East. Just as I see the day breaking today, I see the awakening of all Eastern nations from afar.

There are many more brother nations that will attain their independence and freedom. Their rebirth will undoubtedly take place in the direction of progress and prosperity. Despite all difficulties and all obstacles, these nations will overcome the barriers and reach the future that awaits them. Colonialism and imperialism will vanish from the face of the earth, and in their place, a new age of harmony and cooperation will emerge that makes no distinction of color, religion, or race among nations.

It is not the President who says these words to you, but Mustafa Kemal, merely as a member of the Turkish nation. I draw your special attention to this point.''

If Atatürk had said these words in 1920, when he was writing articles titled ''Russian Bolshevism and Turkish Bolshevism,'' we could have said he was speaking to gain Soviet support.

If Atatürk had said these words in 1905, when he said ''One must first understand matter and be a socialist,'' we could have evaluated these words within the process of his ideas maturing and considered them insignificant in realpolitik.

However, Atatürk said these words in 1937, when he held power completely in his hands.

I present this to the attention of those in our country who see themselves as Atatürkists, Kemalists, or lovers of Atatürk.

No internal strife, no intellectual ambition, and no personal interest can justify the occupation of an independent country by imperialism. Especially in the eyes of an Atatürkist or a Kemalist, applauding this occupation or remaining indifferent to it is in no way legitimate.

I condemn this shameless attack on Iran, our neighbor and relative with whom we have had no conflict for 600 years. I wish a defeat they will never forget upon the hyenas trying to strangle the lion.