Marked Day in the History of the Turkish People

On October 29,1983, the Turkish people celebrate a marked day in their centuries-long history, the day of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, 60 years ago on October 29,1923.

The newspapers carry articles devoted to this important event for the Turkish people. The newspaper Zeri i Popullit stresses among others in its article that this marked event and day of celebration of the Turkish people brings into memory that turbulent and delicate time in which Turkey found itself 60 years ago, when its sovereignty was seriously threatened, when the plan for the partitioning of the Turkish state in favor of the imperialist interests of the great powers of that time was being carried into life. The. proclamation of the Republic by the Grand National Assembly, at the initiative and under the direction of the distinguished leader of the Turkish people, Mustafa Kemal, an event which came after the victory in the battlefield, was the fruit of the efforts and lofty aspirations of the Turkish peoples. Strengthening the unity of the people's masses, through a series of important measures, Mustafa Kemal, inspired by the democratic and progressive opinions, liberated Turkey and its people from the medieval yoke of the sultanate.

Further on, after speaking of the important measures adopted by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the juridical, social and economic fields, such as the abolition of the titles of the Caliph and Ottoman princes, the closure of the religious schools, the abolition of the Islamic right, the recognition of the laic character of the state, etc., Zeri i Popullit writes: for this, the figure of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his deed is honored today not only in Turkey, but also by the friends and well-wishers of the Turkish people everywhere. The leader of our Party and people, Comrade Enver Hoxha, in his speech to the electors on November 10, 1982, speaking of the ties of friendship existing between the Albanian people and the Turkish people has said: "We honor and respect the great leader of the Turkish people, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who as an outstanding democrat, destroyed the Ottoman Empire and the Caliphate and set up the new democratic Turkey. Let all the pseudo-democrats and pseudo-socialists who oppress the peoples, who trample on their rights and keep colonialism alive, sugar-coated with pompous words, follow the example of Kemal Ataturk who cut the 'Gordian knot' of the Ottoman Empire with his sword. It is our desire that our friendship with the fraternal Turkish people should be continuously strengthened and developed further in every field."

Today, on the day of celebration for the Turkish people, the article says further on, our people once again express the feelings of sincere friendship for the friendly Turkish people and once again express their readiness to cement and deepen the good relations existing between the People's Socialist Republic of Albania and the Republic of Turkey on the basis of the known principles that govern the relations between sovereign states, in favor of our two peoples. The Albanian people see with pleasure the fact that the relations between the two countries develop correctly and have assumed a good development, thus making a valuable contribution to the further development of the mutual relations and understanding of our two peoples. The benevolent stand of the Turkish public opinion and the official circles towards our country, the warm reception extended to different artistic and sport groups and particularly the realistic and positive opinions the Turkish press expresses for the Albanian reality, for the achievements of our people as well as for the leader of our party and people, Comrade Enver Hoxha, also show of the greater possibilities existing in regard to the deepening of the relations between our two peoples and countries.

The cementing of the relations between the Albanian people and the Turkish people constitutes a valuable contribution to the strengthening of peace and security in the Balkans, which the superpowers want to transform once again into a powder keg and set the peoples against each other. For this reason, the Albanian people and their government, fanatic in defense of the freedom and independence of their homeland, have pursued a policy of good neighborliness in the relations with all the states and peoples of the Balkans.

In this anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, Zeri i Popullit writes in conclusion, the Albanian people express to the friendly people of Turkey, their most cordial greetings and the best wishes for their happiness and prosperity, wishing at the same time that the relations of friendship between our two peoples and countries deepen and strengthen further.

(Reprinted from Albanian Telegraphic Agency News Bulletin, October 26- 29,1983.)