Mehmed Talat Quotes

Mehmed Talaat , commonly known as Talaat Pasha , was one of the triumvirate known as the Three Pashas that de facto ruled the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. He was one of the leaders of the Young Turks and ruled the empire during the Armenian Genocide, which he initiated as Minister of Interior Affairs in 1915.

His career in Ottoman politics began by becoming deputy for Adrianople in 1908, then minister of the interior and minister of finance, and finally grand vizier in 1917. Acting as the minister of interior, Talaat Pasha ordered on 24 April 1915 the arrest and deportation of Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople , most of them being ultimately murdered, and on 30 May 1915 requested the Tehcir Law ; these events initiated the Armenian Genocide. He is widely considered the main perpetrator of the genocide, and thus is held responsible for the death of between 800,000 and 1,800,000 Armenians.

On the night of 2–3 November 1918 and with the aid of Ahmed Izzet Pasha, Talaat Pasha and Enver Pasha fled the Ottoman Empire. Talaat was assassinated in Berlin in 1921 by Soghomon Tehlirian, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, as part of Operation Nemesis. Wikipedia  

✵ 1. September 1874 – 15. March 1921
Mehmed Talat photo
Mehmed Talat: 8   quotes 0   likes

Famous Mehmed Talat Quotes

“I have accomplished more toward solving the Armenian problem in three months than Abdul Hamid accomplished in thirty years!”

Quoted in "The Burning Tigris: the Armenian Genocide and America's response" - Page 157 - by Peter Balakian - History - 2003

“What on earth do you want? The question is settled. There are no more Armenians.”

After the German Ambassador persistently brought up the Armenian question in 1918. Quoted in The History of the Armenian Genocide (2003) by Vahakn N. Dadrian, p. 211

“Necessary preparations have been discussed and taken for the complete and fundamental elimination of this concern, which occupies an important place in the exalted state's list of vital issues.”

Letter to head of parliament, May 26, 1915. Quoted in "A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility" - by Taner Akçam, Paul Bessemer - History - 2006 - Page 8

“We need to tranquilize our neighbors. State officials ought to remain in ignorance. Let the Armenians wait, opportunities will certainly come our way too. Turkey belongs only to the Turks.”

Quoted in "Blood and Soil: A World History of Genocide and Extermination" - Page 405 - by Ben Kiernan - Social Science - 2007

“The Turkish elements here referred to were shortsighted, fanatical, and yet sincere in their belief. The public encouraged them, and they had the general approval behind them. They were numerous and strong.”

Quoted in "In God's Name: Genocide and Religion in the Twentieth Century" - Page 53 - by Omer Bartov, Phyllis Mack - Religion – 2001

Similar authors

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk photo
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 38
Turkish army officer, revolutionary, and the first Presiden…
Nicholas II of Russia photo
Nicholas II of Russia 4
Emperor of All the Russias, Grand Duke of Finland and King …
Golda Meir photo
Golda Meir 38
former prime minister of Israel
Indíra Gándhí photo
Indíra Gándhí 35
Indian politician and Prime Minister
Winston S. Churchill photo
Winston S. Churchill 601
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Matka Tereza photo
Matka Tereza 52
Roman Catholic saint of Albanian origin
Orhan Pamuk photo
Orhan Pamuk 55
Turkish novelist, screenwriter, and Nobel Prize in Literatu…
Vladimir Putin photo
Vladimir Putin 110
President of Russia, former Prime Minister
Ayrton Senna photo
Ayrton Senna 16
Brazilian racing driver
Benito Mussolini photo
Benito Mussolini 127
Duce and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. Le…