Journalist Jiri Just: Even if a monument of Ataturk is erected in Prague, it will be vandalized

Czech journalist Jiri Just commented to Alpha News on the news that Turkiye wants to install a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Prague.

According to the expert, the question of installing the statue of Ataturk in Prague is being discussed very actively.

“The active discussion of the installation of the monument to Ataturk comes as it is a humanitarian issue rather than a political one. Turkiye is a member of NATO and a close partner of the European Union, but if we talk about humanitarian and historical aspects, municipal deputies have some questions. They point out that Ataturk was involved in the Armenian Genocide, which the Czech Republic did recognize. That is why, there are those who oppose the installation of such a monument in Prague,” the expert explained.
He said that local deputies sent a request to the Czech Foreign Ministry asking to clarify how the installation of such a monument corresponded to the country’s foreign policy interests.

“There are visible signs that even if this monument is erected, it may be vandalized. Besides, it can lead to protests, and Czech officials do not need it. In the Czech Republic, everyone knows perfectly well what political decisions Ataturk made at the time”.