Main opposition leader vows to 'crown' Turkey 'with democracy'

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of Turkey's main opposition party vowed on Tuesday to "crown" the country "with democracy" after its first centennial in 1923.

"The mission that falls to us is to crown the beautiful Republic (of Turkey), bequeathed by Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) and his companions, with democracy in its second century. We'll do this. All together, we will crown our republic with democracy," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Republican People's Party (CHP), told his party's parliamentary group.

Kilicdaroglu also marked the 83rd anniversary of the demise of Ataturk, who led the country in its war of independence and founded the Republic of Turkey.

"He was a great leader, a great statesman, a world-class leader, a leader respected by the entire world," said Kilicdaroglu.

Ataturk was born in 1881 in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire. His military education started in 1893 when he was enrolled in a military school in Thessaloniki. Along with military skills, Ataturk also learned the French language.

He continued his education at the Military School of Istanbul and then graduated as a lieutenant in 1902. With his extraordinary skills, Ataturk quickly climbed the military ranks, becoming a staff captain in 1905.

The year 1911 marked a significant point in Ataturk's life as he fought the Italians in Tripoli and won a decisive victory, proving his skills in the military field.

He drew the attention of his subordinates with his outstanding services following the start of the Balkan Wars in 1912. As a major, he played a significant role in recapturing Dimetoka and Edirne provinces.

- Success in battle of Dardanelles

In 1914, when Ataturk was a military attache in Sophia, World War I started and the alliances deployed soldiers on the Gallipoli peninsula and the battle of Dardanelles (Canakkale) started.

In a letter to Acting Chief Commander Enver Pasha, Ataturk requested to be in the field, suspending his duty in Sophia.

Ataturk and Turkish soldiers made history by showing incredible resistance. Ataturk's order to his soldiers at the war still echoes in the hearts of all Turks: "I don't order you to attack, I order you to die!"

His star continued to shine during his services in northwestern Edirne province and southeastern Diyarbakir province in 1916, earning the title of major general the same year. He fought against the British army in Damascus in 1918, and led a successful resistance against it.

- Path to independence

Following the occupation of Istanbul by the allies in 1919, Ataturk went to northern Samsun province as the inspector of the 9th army, completely changing both his life and, eventually, Turkey.

After proclaiming that the country's liberation from the occupant forces would only be possible through the will of the people, he organized two congresses -- in the cities of Sivas and Erzurum -- where the battle of independence and the country's future was discussed.

On April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established with Ataturk elected at the government's helm, as well as speaker of the parliament, enabling him to adopt laws essential to beat back occupant forces.

The battle of Turkish independence started on May 15, 1919, when the first bullet against the occupant Greek forces was fired by Hasan Tahsin, a Turkish journalist who was martyred shortly after his action.

The Turkish army, under the leadership of Ataturk, won incredible battles against the occupant forces -- including the first and second Battles of Inonu, Sakarya, and the Great Offensive -- until 1923 when the Lausanne Treaty was signed on July 24.

The incredible achievements on the battlefield led to Turkish independence and the Republic of Turkey was founded on Oct. 29, 1923.

Ataturk became the first president of the republic until Nov. 10, 1938, when he passed away in Istanbul at the age of 57 due to cirrhosis.

As a tradition, Turkish people visit his mausoleum in Ankara every Nov. 10 and pay their respects to Ataturk.