Ankara condemns Greek Parliament's statement

Turkey denounced Greece's parliament on May 19 for its "baseless and delirious statements" under the pretext of marking the anniversary of the start of the Turkish War of Independence on May 19, 1919.

"The date of 19 May 1919, when the first step of our War of Independence was taken, is a sacred day not only for our nation but also for all oppressed nations who fought against imperialism. On such a day, the baseless and
delirious statements made by the Greek Parliament and institutions under the pretext of marking the anniversary of May 19, 1919 does not accord with historical facts or values of the 21st century," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement recalled that the Greek Army invaded Aegean Izmir province after the end of the First World War in 1918, when Istanbul was the only occupied capital.

"This painful occupation turned into a planned and disgraceful invasion that had no justification and was the scene of atrocities."

"It should not be forgotten that the terrifying dimensions reached by the atrocities committed less than five months after the occupation were serious enough to require the Allies to establish an investigative commission," the statement said.

"The Greek leadership, which could not face its own history, should remember the reports of the Allied countries' investigative commission and the facts underlying the article of the Treaty of Lausanne on war crimes. Article 59 of the Treaty of Lausanne determined that the acts committed by the Greek army occupying Anatolia were against the law of war," it added.

The statement went on to say that "it is another proof that irresponsible politicians and radicals are trying to reverse history today" as Greek Prime Minister...