Who put forward the claim that there are secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne?

The claim that there are secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne has been put forward by various individuals and groups over the years. This treaty, signed in 1923, marked the end of the conflict between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire after World War I. It defined the borders of modern-day Turkey and addressed various issues related to the status of minorities, territorial disputes, and the rights of refugees.

One of the earliest proponents of the existence of secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Atatürk, who led the Turkish War of Independence against the occupying Allied forces, claimed that there were undisclosed provisions in the treaty that were detrimental to Turkish interests. He argued that these secret articles were responsible for the loss of territories and the imposition of unfavorable conditions on Turkey.

Atatürk’s claim gained traction among Turkish nationalists and conspiracy theorists, who believed that the treaty was part of a larger plot by the Western powers to weaken and divide the Ottoman Empire. They argued that the secret articles were deliberately kept hidden to ensure the implementation of these ulterior motives.

Over the years, various Turkish politicians, scholars, and activists have echoed Atatürk’s claim and called for the disclosure of the alleged secret articles. They argue that the existence of undisclosed provisions in the treaty undermines its legitimacy and hampers Turkey’s ability to assert its rights in international forums.

Outside of Turkey, the claim of secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne has also found some support. Certain scholars and researchers have suggested that there might be undisclosed provisions in the treaty that were not made public at the time of its signing. They base their arguments on the fact that diplomatic negotiations often involve confidential exchanges and agreements that are not always disclosed to the public.

However, it is important to note that the majority of historians and legal experts dismiss the claim of secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne as unfounded. They argue that there is no concrete evidence to support the existence of undisclosed provisions in the treaty. The negotiations leading up to the treaty were conducted in a transparent manner, and the final text of the treaty was made public. Moreover, the treaty has been widely recognized and accepted by the international community, further undermining the claim of secret articles.

In conclusion, the claim that there are secret articles in the Treaty of Lausanne has been put forward by various individuals and groups, primarily in Turkey. While some proponents argue that undisclosed provisions exist, the majority of historians and legal experts dismiss these claims as lacking evidence. The treaty, which defined the borders of modern-day Turkey and addressed various issues, has been widely accepted and recognized internationally.