Sinan Meydan reacts to the Vahdettin-Atatürk conversation recounted by Erdoğan: It was censored, the truth was distorted

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recounted the conversation that took place between the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and Vahdettin during his speech at the ceremony marking the reopening of Yıldız Palace to visitors following 6 years of restoration work.

Erdoğan stated that Vahdettin said to Atatürk, "Pasha, pasha, you have served the state well until now. All of these have now entered this book and have passed into history. Forget these; the service you will perform now may be more important than all of them," and that Atatürk replied, "Do not worry, my sovereign, I have understood your imperial point of view. If it is your imperial will, I will depart immediately."

Historian Sinan Meydan reacted to this dialogue recounted by Erdoğan.

WHAT DID ATATÜRK ACTUALLY SAY ABOUT VAHDETTIN?

Stating that Erdoğan recounted the conversation in question in a 'censored' manner, Meydan noted that Atatürk wrote the following in his notes after the meeting: "How could I expect a high and noble action from a man whose feelings, ideas, inclinations, and hypocrisies I knew very well during his time as crown prince and sultan? It is necessary to save the country; I could do it if I wanted to. How? I immediately reached a judgment: Vahdettin meant that we have no strength. Our only point of support is to comply with the politics of those who dominate Istanbul. My duty is to resolve the issues they complain about. If I could satisfy them, if I could convince the country and the people of the correctness of this policy, and if I could arrest the Turks who opposed this policy, I would have fulfilled Vahdettin's desires."

Atatürk's words were CENSORED, the truth was distorted.

President Erdoğan is unfortunately telling an incomplete story. Yet, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who recounted that meeting, made the following comment about that meeting—which Erdoğan did not recount:

"While saying (while giving the answer), to also resolve the enigma in my mind… https://t.co/hX2V8GU79b

— Sinan Meydan (@SMEYDAN) July 19, 2024

THE ATATÜRK-VAHDETTIN DIALOGUE RECOUNTED BY ERDOĞAN

Erdoğan had recounted the dialogue that took place between Atatürk and Vahdettin as follows:

"Gazi Mustafa Kemal came here one day before setting off on the Bandırma Ferry and met with Sultan Vahdettin. Gazi Mustafa Kemal recounts that historic meeting as follows: 'We sat in a small room in Yıldız Palace, so close that we were almost knee-to-knee with Vahdettin. The view we saw from the window of the room opening towards the Bosphorus was this; enemy warships on parallel lines, their broadside cannons seemingly aimed at Yıldız Palace. Vahdettin began to speak with these words that I will never forget: "Pasha, pasha, you have served the state well until now. All of these have now entered this book and have passed into history. Forget these; the service you will perform now may be more important than all of them. Pasha, pasha, you can save the state." Upon this, Gazi Mustafa Kemal gives this answer to Sultan Vahdettin: "Do not worry, my sovereign, I have understood your imperial point of view. If it is your imperial will, I will depart immediately." After being honored with the address "May you be successful," I left his presence, and we moved away from the palace without letting the sound of our footsteps be heard.'"

News Source: 12punto