1923 - 2008

With the kind support of:

Mrs Ionna Ertegiin

Mrs Selma Goksel

Tiirkiye I~ Bankasi

Anadolu Ajans1

Thanks to:

Onur Ozc;:eri (Research, text and layout)

Agathon Aerni (research)

Tuluy Tanc;: (editing)

© Embassy of , Bern

85 years of representation of the Republic of Turkey in (1923-2008)

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Bern

~u6tic offJ'urk,ey rrfie (Jlresufent

It is no coincidence that the Republic of Turkey purchased its first Embassy premises abroad, in Switzerland's capital, Bern, to establish the seat of its diplomatic representation.

The negotiation of a peace treaty and its successful outcome took the shape of the Treaty of in 1923. The left an indelible mark in our memory. The aspiration of the Turkish nation to live as a free and independent people is thus anchored in Switzerland, a land that earned the reputation for fairness, equity and justice.

The subsequent adoption in 1926 of a Civil Code based on the Swiss example, the Montreux Convention negotiated in 1936 in Switzerland giving full sovereignty on the Turkish Straits and other events have solidified this perception.

I am therefore particularly pleased that the roots of the friendship bonds between Turkey and Switzerland and the main events associating Switzerland to Turkey have been compiled in a book.

The book also illustrates the reciprocal attention and like minded approaches of both Turkey and Switzerland to further promote bilateral relations between two democracies and to facilitate the realization of aspirations of peace.

I would like to express my thanks to the President of the Swiss Confederation, His Excellency and to all who have contributed to the realization of this book. ~~~ Abdullah GUL-r-----__

The President of the Swiss Confederation Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confederation suisse Confederazione Sv izzera Conf ederaziun svizra

2008 will remain as a landmark in the bilateral relations between Switzerland and Turkey. This year we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Switzerland's diplomatic presence in Turkey. I am happy to have the opportunity to pay an official visit to in November in order commemorate this historic event, and I would like to thank President Abdullah Gui for his kind invitation.

The common interest and the numerous bonds of friendship between our two countries are even older than our diplomatic relations. Already before the creation of the Republic, young Turkish students and refugees were living in Switzerland. Encouraged by the liberal and reformist political framework, they were inspired to craft the foundation of the modern state that was about to be created in their home country. This can also explain why the Turkish Civil Code was eventually based on the Swiss one.

The political, economic, human and cultural ties between our two countries are constantly developing. The Turkish colony in Switzerland is one of the largest foreign communities with more than 70.000 people. This community is a living proof that it is possible to be well integrated without renouncing to one's original culture. In addition, Turkey is more and more present in Switzerland on the cultural front: It will be guest of honor of the festival CulturEscapes in December, as well as of the book fair in 2009. On the other hand , Turkey is an important trade partner and a promising market for Switzerland. More than 320 Swiss firms are active and provide jobs for more then 10.000 people.

Against this backdrop of vibrant relations, the initiative to publish a book on the history of the Turkish Embassy residence in Bern is a welcome note. This book illustrates the fact that Turkey set up its diplomatic presence in Switzerland almost immediately after the Treaty of Lausanne. And it did so with the perspective of establishing deep and long-term relations with Switzerland, by purchasing the Trachsler Villa.

This year we are celebrating the result of our predecessors' foresight. I want to commend Ambassador K1l19 for providing us with this beautiful reminder of some of the milestones in our long and friendly common history. . ,' lJ"' t_ ly- Pascal Couchepin President of the Swiss Confederation

lnselgasse 1, CH-3003 Bern www.edi. admin.ch Foreword

The subject of this book is the history of the diplomatic relations between Turkey and Switzerland, centered on the purchase by the Republic of Turkey in 1926 of an Embassy residence in Bern.

The acquisition of a residence constitutes a background for the initiation and flourishing of relations between Turkey and Switzerland. Ambassador Munir Ertegiin, who bought on behalf of the Republic of Turkey the residence from a Swiss entrepreneur (Johannes Heinrich Trachsler), was the first envoy of the Turkish Republic, new member of the international community established three years prior to the sale of this villa.

The sending of an envoy, Ertegiin, who presented his letter of credentials in October 1925, and the subsequent purchase of a real estate in Bern in September 1926, well before most of the other countries represented at that time in Bern, was a symbol of the willingness of Turkey to enter into long lasting relations with Switzerland.

The residence became a place where Turks and Swiss met. High ranking Turkish officials stayed in the residence. Regular receptions and national day celebrations allowed officials of both countries to get together. Children of Turkish diplomats played with children of Swiss living in the neighbourhood.

The momentum given to the relations was duly reciprocated by Switzerland, and the same year, 1926, a Swiss envoy was sent to Turkey. Following the decision of the Swiss Government and Parliament, a Legation was opened in in 1928. Six years after, in 1934, it was transferred to the capital, Ankara.

The printing of this book coincides with another milestone in the bileteral relations of the two states, the first visit at Presidential level, the visit of the President of the Confederation, Mr. Couchepin to Ankara.

Bern, 29 October 2008

Alev Kille 0

Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Switzerland Contents

12-1 7 Summary of Turkish-Swiss diplomatic relations

18-29 The Peace Conference of Lausanne (1922-1923)

30-37 Establishment of the Legation of Turkey in Bern (1923)

38-53 Purchase by Turkey of an Embassy residence in Bern (1926)

54-55 Turkish-Swiss Treaty of Friendship (1925-1927)

56-59 Multilateral diplomacy in the 1930' s

10 60-61 Message sent on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation (1941)

62-63 Raising the level of the Turkish diplomatic mission in Bern (1952- 1953)

64-73 Recent bilateral contacts

7 4- 77 Switzerland as host to diplomatic negotiations

7 8-91 The residence of the Turkish Ambassador

94-9 5 List of Heads of Mission

11 Summary of Turkish-Swiss diplomatic relations

Turkey's relations with Switzerland started more than 85 years ago, during the Peace Conference held in Lausanne · and has developed ever since. Contacts on the margins of the Conference were made between Ismet Inonu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Great National Assembly and members of the Swiss Federal Government who were present at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Conference. An exchange of letters of courtesy and a visit by Inonu to the Swiss Federal Government in Bern in July 1923 completed those preliminary contacts. More information is given on the Lausanne Conference in pages 18-29 of this book.

When the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed on 29 October 1923, Ahmet Ru~tu (Demirel) was already in Bern as Charge d' Affaires of Turkey. During the New Year reception offered b y the Swiss Federal Government to the Diplomatic Corps on 5 January 1924, the Swiss President sent through Ahmet Ru~tu Bey

12 his best wishes of success to the young Turkish Republic's leaders. In pages 30-37 of this book, brief information is given on the former Ottoman Embassy in Bern and how it was acquired by the newly established Republic of Turkey, as well as the story of the establishment of the Legation of Turkey in Bern.

One year later, in 1925, Mehmet Munir Bey (Ertegun) presented as first Minister of the Republic of Turkey in Switzerland his letters of credentials to the President of the Swiss Confederation Jean-Marie Musy. President Musy in his letter to the Turkish President K.emal Ataturk, informing him officially on the presentation of credentials by the Turkish Minister, also expressed his desire to contribute to the development of relations between his country and Turkey. In the following pages of this book (pages 46-47), lies a short biography of the first representative of the Republic of Turkey 1n Switzerland, Mehmet . In 1926, Ertegun bought on behalf of the Republic of Turkey a residence in Bern to serve as seat of the Legation. The story of this transaction with additional information on the first owner of the residence (Trachsler family) can be found in pages 38-53.

13 In 1925, the Treaty of Friendship between Turkey and Switzerland was signed. The text of this Treaty is reproduced in pages 54-55.

Contacts between Turkish and Swiss officials continued. In 1927, President Ataturk informed the Swiss President on his reelection as President of the Republic.

One year later, in 1928, exactly 80 years ago, the first Swiss envoy in Turkey, Henri Martin presented his letter of credentials to Ataturk. Following the decision of the Swiss Government and Parliament, a Legation was opened in Istanbul in 1928. Six years after, in 1934, it was transferred to the capital, Ankara.

Friendly relations between Ataturk and Swiss Presidents continued to develop over the years. Between 1928 and 1933, four important bilateral treaties were signed.

In 1935, Ataturk informed the Swiss President on his reelection and voiced the importance he attached to the development of relations with Switzerland. A message of congratulations was sent by the Swiss President to Ataturk.

14 In 1936, Switzerland hosted another important negotiation for Turkey, which ended with the signing of the Montreux Convention on the Turkish Straits. (More on this is given on pages 56-59 of this book)

In 1938, the Swiss President sent a message of condolences upon the passing away of President Atatiirk. Until that time, the Swiss Federal Government had refrained from attending funerals of foreign heads of state. Switzerland made an exception to this rule and instructed its Minister in Ankara to be present at the state funeral of Atatiirk.

In 1941, President Inonu sent a telegram of congratulations to the Swiss President on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. Turkey's message delivered at a difficult time for Switzerland was greeted as a gesture of true friendship. The significance of this gesture is explained in Jiirg Stiissi-Lautenburg's text reproduced in pages 60-61.

In 1953, the level of the Turkish Minister in Bern was raised from Minister Plenipotentiary to Ambassador, the Turkish Legation became an Embassy. Switzerland reciprocated a few years later. That story is detailed in

15 pages 62-63.

In the last years, bilateral v1s1ts between state officials of Turkey and Switzerland have increased and provide a solid basis for current relations. The presence of a large Turkish community 1n Switzerland, the close collaboration between Turkish and Swiss companies, similar views on world affairs based on a like-minded approach towards peace and stability in the world are all factors that have contributed to the further development of bilateral relations. We have chosen to illustrate this book with some of the photographs taken on recent Turkish-Swiss bilateral visits which can be found at pages 64-73.

In 2001, during his official visit to Bern the Foreign Minister of Turkey, the late Ismail Cem signed together with Federal Councilor , a document entitled "Memorandum on the common understanding for the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey". Subsequently periodic high level political consultations started.

16 In September 2008, an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding of 2001 was signed by both Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Micheline Calmy­ Rey. Within the framework of this document, intensified political dialogue will be extended to additional new areas such as energy, transportation and culture.

These steps provide the v1s1on for Turkish-Swiss relations in the 21 st century.

Source:

For the period 1923-1938: Bilal N. ~im~ir, "Atariirk ve Yabano D evlet Ba~kanlan" (Cilt III, Turk Tarih Kurumu, Ankara, 2001 )

17 The Peace Conference of Lausanne (1922-1923)

The conference convened at a time when the conceivably by Turkey. On the other hand, Lausanne Turkish forces were victorious against the occupying has the following advantages: 1) It is on the direct forces and a cease fire agreement was reached. line of the Orient Express to Istanbul (which N umerous questions were to be answered. New Geneva 1s not); 2) It has excellent hotel borders had to be drawn. A plan for the departure accommodation and a good climate even in winter; of Allied forces from Istanbul had to be settled. 3) It was the seat of the peace conference between What would be the status of foreigners ? Of non­ Turkey and in 1912 (resulted in the Treaty of Muslim minorities ? How to settle the issue of the ); 4) The ( ... ) could supply O ttoman debt ? a large and trained staff of typists, shorthand writers, and translators in English and French and possibly The seat of the conference was itself the result of a other languages: 5) The central position of Lausanne tight negotiation between the Turkish side and allies. would enable foreign delegates to go to and from T he Turkish proposal to hold the negotiations in with comparative ease". Izmir was not favored by the Allies (mainly Great

Britain, and Italy) as they did not want to be The Turkish side first proposed Locarno. Finally, too far from their capitals. Alternative venues such as agreement was reached on Lausanne and the British, or were rejected by the Turkish side. French and Italian diplomatic missions in Bern All peace conferences ending had taken presented identical notes on 27 October to the Swiss place in France (Versaille s, Trianon, St Germain, Department of Foreign Affairs (at that time called Sevres) but in view of the Turkish insistence, neutral Political Department) asking its agreement. ground had to be found.

Switzerland was thus considered as a neutral and The telegram sent by the British Minister in Bern, disinterested country. the same day concerning the answer given by the Swiss side is as follows: "Federal Minister for The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs in his own name as well as in that of Lord Curzon in a telegram dated 12 October 1922 the whole Federal Council (Government) who it wrote the following on the alternative locations in appears had discussed the matter in anticipation Switzerland: "Geneva as the seat of the League of extended a most cordial welcome to the Conference Nations, may conceivably be objected to by America on Swiss soil and will tonight instruct cantonal and ( ... ); by , who ignores the League; and communal authorities of Lausanne to make all prior

18 Opening of the Peace Conference at the Casino of Lausanne (20 November 1922)

19 arrangements ( ... ). As l\!Iinister for Foreign Affairs reminded us Lausanne is not without experience as a peace conference was held there in 1912 (between Italy and the ) and our governments could rest reassured that all possible assistance would be rendered)".

The Conference was called for the end of November 1922 in Lausanne. Britain (Foreign Secretary Lord

Curzon), France (Prime Minister Poincare) and Italy Ismet Ini:ini.i and Rtza Nur leaving the Chateau· d'Ouchy (Prime Minister Mussolini) had sent high level governmental representatives to the conference, showing the importance given to the outcome. These three countries, on the winning side of the War, but 31 40 cent. 2 aoilt ti out of edge on the Turkish front following the Greek defeat, were anxious to disengage from Turkey in getting as much they could on the LJ3/laftre Revue hebdomadaire suisse negotiation table. War had been long, their publics is.s.aJtt le Jrodl 11 Atfmi1tistratio11 .- lausamu, 27, ,u~ de &urg 4 3 mois: 'Fr. 3.80.: par fa posre 3.~ opinions were not accepting additional spending on the Turkish front. Divergences existed between Allies. Both France and Britain, present in North Africa and Asia, had considerable interests in Anatolia and they were expected to fight fiercely defending those interests.

In front of them, the delegation corning from Ankara was an underdog in the negotiation. The allies had tried to discredit the Ankara delegation by sending an invitation to the ailing, defunct Ottoman government in Istanbul. The response from Ankara was unambiguous: the Ottoman sultanate was declared abolished. The last sultan left Istanbul on a

British boat. The Ottoman government could only Ismet Ini:ini.i on the cover of the Swiss magazine "L'Illustre" acknowledge that it had no control on the state of affairs. It resigned a few weeks later. The new Turkish leadership had thus made it sure to be the

20 sole representatives from Turkey to the peace conference.

The Turkish delegation was lead by Ismet Pasha, who later adopted the surname of Inonu, the name of the battlefield where he secured a capital victory. He had been nominated a few weeks before the conference as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the G overnment of the Grand National Assembly, led by I(emalAtaturk

Ismet Inonu and his aides were given an instruction sheet, laying the basic demands of the Turkish side, which had to figure in the outcome. The aim of the Turkish delegation was to secure viable borders and to do away with, foreign presence on the Turkish territory. Chateau d'Ouchy (where Plenary sessions of the Peace Conference were held) Ismet's deputies were Riza Nur and Hasan Saka. Below: Inscription inside the Chateau d'Ouchy which is today an H otel, commemorating the Peace Conference Another member of the Turkish Delegation was

21 Mehmet Munir Ertegun, who three years later was to telegrams agreed. be nominated as the first representative of Turkey to Switzerland. Ismet wrote a letter to the Swiss President Scheurer thanking him for hosting the Peace Conference. We

As the Conference started in November 1922, have reproduced the response by President Scheurer everybody hoped that all pending issues could be to this letter (see page 26). settled before Christmas. Ismet Inonu's negotiating skills were unknown, as he was known until then Much work started in Allied capitals who were eager only as a military commander. Allies who were eager for diverging reasons to reach a settlement · on the to finalize the long period of talks in the aftermath Turkish front to resume the Conference. - Lord of the war, had hoped that he would not constitute a Curzon, back in London, asked his Turkish hurdle preventing a speedy settlement. counterpart to reconsider his answer to the deal as Inonu was still on his way to Turkey. On his return

To the despair of the Allied chief negotiators, Ismet, to Ankara, he was greeted with mixed emotions. was showing unexpected skills of diplomacy. Right During a period of nearly one month, he from the opening, he made it obvious that he would subsequently took part m long and heated be a staunch negotiator. The stall that had arisen in discussions in the Turkish Parliament on the the first months of the negotiations was widely consequences of the negative outcome of the attributed to his intransigence. By December 1922, negotiations. negotiators were becoming aware of the fact that much work needed to be done. After some time, the Allies called on the Turkish authorities for a new conference. Lausanne was again

In January 1923, the British Chief negotiator, chosen as the location of the negotiations.

Foreign Secretary Lord Curzon, tried to force a breakthrough by proposing a draft peace treaty. The In April 1923 when negotiators returned, there were text comprised many points that were agreed. Others new faces in the delegations. At the head of the were not and Inonu was told to take it or the British delegation, Rumbold, the British Ambassador negotiation would be ended without peace. m Istanbul, replaced Curzon. Ismet was accompanied by his wife, Mevhibe (Her memories

Inonu hesitated. It was a difficult choice. By refusing of the days spent in Lausanne have been recently the deal, he would return to Turkey empty handed, published). Hotels and conference rooms remained disappointing those waiting for a Treaty that would identical. Without much fuss, delegates went down mean the end of many years of sufferings and to business. destruction. Inonu finally decided that he could not accept a deal with flaws. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who Long and wearisome negotiations produced only was following the negotiations from Inonu's small advances. Well in June 1923, an agreement was

22 still not in sight. Exasperation was voiced in the press. Finally, in the middle of July, after much pressure from capitals and more fle xibility from negotiators, a draft of 143 articles was ready for signature.

Waiting for his final instructions on the signature of the draft, Inonu spent some difficult days as his - Mustafa Kema!Atatiirk (1881-1938) much anticipated message was not arriving. Finally, Founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey the answer from Ankara came: it was positive. Inonu had his deal. 9 months of negotiations, 800 pages of minutes, thousands of cables between Lausanne and capitals were not made in vain.

The signature ceremony was set for Tuesday 24 July at 15.00. The venue was the Aula of the University Building (Rumine), with fresh paintings from the painter Riviere. Three members of the Federal Swiss Government, authorities from the Canton of , heads of foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Switzerland, Swiss and foreign journalists (Ernest Hemingway was one of them), were present at the ceremony where in 32 minutes, the Treaty and its annexes were signed. Afterwards, the President of the Swiss Confederation, made a closing statement in which he voiced his hope that the agreed Treaty would bring a long lasting peace. The same night the Swiss Federal Council (Government) hosted a dinner in the Hotel in honour of all delegations. All bells of churches in Lausanne were ringing to mark the peace which had been declared. P-E-A-C-E could be read everywhere on banners put by the municipality.

Menu of the dinner offered by the Turkish Delegation at the Lausanne Palace Hotel on 23 January 1923

23 Lausanne Palace Hotel where Ismet Ini.ini.i stayed during the Peace Conference

24 SIGNATtRE DU TRATTE DE PA.IX

"\" 2l> I PA[ \IS I RL".\H~E Por• B

\ ,t re D

Invitation for the ceremony of signature of the Treaty

Palais de Rumine where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed on 24 July 1923

25 362 u s t r e LA S!GNATUR 7:RA/7£ DE LAUS~

Elle r>l enfin achevee, cette interminable Conference de Lausanne, qui fut i avec l'espoir qu'elle aurait· pris fin a Noel! Elle a dure pre. de 300 jours entr acte de onze scmaines, et elle a pa se par bien des avatars, jusqu'au d'etre dumeot cloturee par la protocolaire seance publique de la signature

(Daas k medaillon) M. Sm,?1Jrer, prlside11t de fa Co11/ldlration, fd son discours de doture, saful-· par des appfaudissements nourris {a 9aume, M C.iuartf, vice"f)rlside

La ddloation turque sipne fe traitl de paix. On reconnait ala tribune !es consei!lers federaux Chuard, Sdieurer et Sdmlthess, puis Ismet pacha et Riza Nour bey occupes a apposer leurs signatures, et entre eux, de­ bout, M .ReneMassigli,secretaire general de fa Conference.

Conference qui porte le nom de leur ville, !es Lausan­ nois ont vu defiler d'innombrables diplomates dans leurs murs: l'imposant et tres noble marquis Curzon, M. Camille Barrere, si fin d'esprit et de silhouette qu'il a ete compare a un gentilbomme de la Renaissance, le malheureux. Stamboulisky, a la carrure d'athlete forain,

26 Swiss weekly magazine "L'Illustre" Officials from different delegations, after the signing of the Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923

Seated second and third from left: Ismet Ini:ini.i and Joseph C. Grew. After the signing of the Peace Treacy, Ismet Ini:ini.i negotiated with the U.S. representative in Bern, Joseph Grew a separate Treacy which was signed on 6 August 1923 in the Beau Rivage Hotel of Lausanne 27 ~ t:, Berne, le 8 fevrier 1923. ~,;£kat?O?~ ~()e REQU LE. .!P. . ..&~t22J ENREGISTRt SUB. ff!...... ·-····· s. ... e..... D.:L..C~

Monsieur le Cha rge d'Affaires,

Au moment de repa rtir pour la TUrquie, Son

.Excellenc e Ismet Pecha a bien vo ulu m1 exprimer ses re-

merciemente pour l 1 accueil que la Delegation ottomane a trouve a Lausann e, ainsi que pour la representation essumee par la Suisse aes interets turcs a l 1 etranger.

Ne connaissant pas l 1 adresse actuelle du General Ismet Pacha, je vous saurais gre de vouloir bien lui dire combien j 1a1 ete sensible a son aimable message et que, tout en .eontinuant a &'acquitter de la mission dont elle s'est chargee des 1918, la Confederation ap­

1 pelle de ses voeux l av~nement d'une ere de peix 1 qui don­ nera un nouvel essor aux relations de ja anciennes qui unis- sent la Suisse et la TUrquie.

Agreez, Monsieur le Charge d 1Affaires, l'assurance de ma consideration la plus distinguee. fL___.

Monsieur No111+1an Bey Menemenly-Zade, Charge d 1 Affaires de Turquie, B e r n e .

Letter sent by the President of the Swiss Confederation Karl Scheurer to Ismet inoni.i via the Charge d'Affaires in the Legation of Turkey in Bern (Numan Menemencioglu). This letter of 8 February 1923 was sent while i noni.i had left Lausanne when the Peace Conference was interrupted

28 Visit by Ismet Inonii to the Swiss President

Ismet inonii, during his stay in Lausanne, made the first contacts between the newly established authority in Ankara (the Government of the Grand National Assembly) and itrlunh.,ro i.n,.,u_..1c....,.t,••lf'• r•nn1 the Swiss Federal Government. A short meeting during the opening of the Conference in November 1922, an exchange of letters as the Conference was adjourned in January 1923 and the subsequent meeting during the festivities organized after the successful end of the Conference constituted the preliminary contacts between Dit tiltfl(dJt ~t!egaHen i• !ernbld e1g . .U au fa 1t n e, 26. b. ~iinf 9Jlilitatffug, Turkish and Swiss officials. 3eugt, bit unt 8 U~r 45 QU!:i '.tqun einttafen, ~it• gen um 9 U~t mit Diet ~litgltebnn bet tiitfi• rd)en 3riebcnsbdegation, barunter 3,met ~a. jc!Ja, ~cn3i !Set) unb ~Haa 91outi !Se~. wiebn auf Two days after the signing of the Treaty, on 26 July 1923 3u eintm aruge nad) l8etn, n:)0 bie '.!ldegieden !8unbcsptciftbent 6d)eu ttt einen l8cf udJ a.bitatten Ismet inonii paid a one day visit to Bern. werl:>en. ~m ~nfd}lub biet !l.Jii!itiitflug&euge ,nit bet tiiififd]en !>dcgation Ianbetm 9 UfJr 40 ClUf btm !Beunben• from Lausanne to Bern with the airplane provided by the fell> . 3n lBegteitung non !!Junbesptiifibc1tt Air Service of the Federal Government. Gm e u t e t, G>tntralftaf>sgef Oberftbitiiftonat ?Jt t1 o ft unb Obttft !3 m m e n ~ Cl ll f e t,

The Swiss side raised their concern as to the situation of the Swiss nationals living in Turkey and asked if and the would be able to continue the consular Article publish ed in the newspaper "Der Bund" protection of Swiss nationals. The Turkish representative concerning the visit reassured his interlocutors. On inonii's wish, he was taken to a farm in the vicinity of Bern to examine local agricultural techniques.

29 Establishment of the Legation of Turkey in Bern

Ottoman Embassy 1n Bern capitals such as London (1793), Paris (1796) but also in St Petersburg, Berlin and Vienna. At a later stage, During the 19th century, contacts were established missions were established in Rome, Washington and between the representatives of Switzerland and the Tehran. Diplomats also served in eight legations: Ottoman Empire on the possibility of founding Athens, Stockholm, Brussels, , Belgrade, official relations. Ottomans through embassies in Sofia, and the Hague. The Swiss Federal capitals such as Paris or Berlin contacted the Swiss Council in its meeting on 4 March 1898 consented to authorities on various matters concerrung this demand. international organisations based in Switzerland. Later, the Ottoman Ambassador in Berlin Tevfik The Swiss authorities were considering whether the Pacha announced to the Swiss Minister in Berlin the situation of Swiss expatriates in Istanbul and other intention of his authorities to nominate the Ottoman merchant cities, justified the opening of a consulate Ambassador m Brussels, Etienne Caratheodory to defend Swiss interests in the Empire. More than (Karateodori m Turkish) as the non-resident 50 Swiss honorary consulates had already been representative of the Sultan in Bern. created, mainly in South America. Petitions from established Swiss citizens were sent to the Swiss The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs which held authorities on the question of a representation in the name of "Federal Political Department" Istanbul. Some were of the op1ruon that immediately dispatched telegrams to its representation was needed, whereas others disagreed representations in Paris, Brussels and Berlin in order

saying that protection from Western European to gather additional information on this nomination. powers was the best practice for the Swiss On 2 November 1899, the Swiss Legation in Paris community's interest as Swiss citizens were not informed the Swiss authorities on the merits of negatively affected by the absence of representation Caratheodory. The Swiss Consulate in Brussels also as their rights were defended by Western consulates. sent a letter to Bern concerning the personality of the Ottoman Ambassador. For its part, in 1898, the Ottoman Empire made representation to open a Consulate General in The Swiss Federal Council (Government) accepted Geneva. The Ottoman Empire had already during its meeting of 10 November 1899, the representations not only in many Great Powers' "opening of a representation of the Ottoman

30 Empire in Bern" and the Empire's nominee. Etienne Seven years later, in September 1915, the Swiss Caratheodory presented his letter of credentials to Legation in Berlin was informed by the Ottoman the President of the Swiss Confederation on 21 Embassy of the intention of the Empire to open an March 1900. Ottoman Legation in Bern headed by Fuat Selim Bey. The Federal Council agreed to this proposal Caratheodory who was from a Greek family of during its meeting of 5 October 1915. Istanbul and with a career of nearly 45 years in Ottoman diplomacy will not only be remembered in An Ottoman Chancery was thus established for the history as the first Ottoman representative accredited first time on Swiss soil and on 24 December 1915, to Switzerland but also as the representative with the the new Ottoman Minister Fuad Selim Bey shortest tenure as well. Indeed, in November 1900, presented his credentials to the Federal Council. He the Swiss and Belgian authorities were was the first Ottoman Minister residing in Bern. Fuat simultaneously informed on the intention of the Selim was seconded by a Second Secretary, Numan Ottoman Empire to nominate the Turkish Menemencioglu who in 1922/ 1923 made the Ambassador in Paris, Salih Munir Pasha instead of transition in the Legation in Bern between the Caratheodory, as Minister of the Empire respectively Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. in Bern and in Brussels with a seat in Paris. The Federal Political Department agam gathered The Legation was established in Villa Kocher at information on the new candidate through its Schlosslistrasse No 5 in a park close to the train representations and on 19 January 1901 gave its station. The three month rent paid to the owner, a agreement to the nomination. lady Professor, Mrs. Kocher was 3.000 Franks from 1915 to 1919 and 3.750 Franks from 1919 until the On 4 April 1901, Ambassador Salih Munir Pasha end of 1922. presented the letters of recall of his predecessor and his credentials to the Vice-President of the Between 1919 and 1922, Ottoman Ministers changed Confederation, Joseph Zemp and the dean of the twice. Cevat Bey (1920-1922) succeeded to Re~at Federal Council, Adolphe Deucher. In Switzerland, Halis Bey (1919) and was the last Ottoman Minister as all diplomatic representations were Legations in Bern. instead of Embassies, he held the rank of Minister. At that time, the Ottoman General Consulate in Geneva, which had jurisdiction on the whole Swiss territory, received instructions from Salih Munir Pasha who was seated in Paris. In December 1908, the Swiss Authorities were informed of the closure of the Ottoman Legation with seat in Paris due to "financial reasons".

Villa Kocher in Bern (used as Ottoman Embassy 1915-1922)

31 E s tablishment of the Legation b y the Republic of Turkey

With the abolishment of the Ottoman Sultanate as the Ottoman Legation in Bern was Second Secretary of 1 November 1922, all central offices ceased their Numan Menemencioglu (who later became existence and this applied to the Ottoman Foreign prominent in the Turkish diplomatic service). Service. The new :Ministry of Foreign Affairs in

Ankara, established in May 1920 by the Government In a second letter sent to Bern the following day of the Grand National Assembly was in an (22 November 1922), Ferit Bey, informed the embryonic state. Ismet Inonu, the military lieutenant Ottoman Charge d'Affaires in Switzerland, First of Ataturk, was named Minister of Foreign Affairs Secretary Re:;;at Nuri Bey about these decisions. in October 1922. In the beginning of December The letter mentioned the fact that Numan 1922 he left Ankara for Switzerland to lead the ' Menemencioglu had been chosen as caretaker of Ankara Delegation to the Peace Conference to take the Legation. place in Lausanne. After being informed of the

postponement of the start of the Conference, he The Legation in Bern was taken over by the traveled to France where he stayed with the Ankara Ankara Government in this manner. These Government's mission in Paris. transitional measures continued until the proclamation of the Republic on 29 October 1923. In Paris, Inonu elaborated a strategy to take over the After that date, the Legation was officially the existing Ottoman rruss10ns. Ferit Bey, the Legation of the Republic of Turkey. The Legation representative of the Ankara Government in Paris at that time was situated in a building which was who had arrived in December 1921 in the city, put rented at 2, Schlaeflistrasse. Inonu's strategy in practice. On 21 November 1922, he sent the following letter to all Ottoman Embassies and Legations.

'The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Grand National Assemb/y of Turkry, His Excellency Ismet Pacha, has decided that certain Embassies and Consttlates 1vould, from then on, report to the Turkish Delegation in Paris. In viezv of this instruction, I entrust you personal/y ivith the power to run the dai/y duties, I theref?y ask you to respond 1vithin 24 hours of reception of this letter to the annexed questions".

T he recipients of these instructions were the second officers m charge of the existing Ottoman diplomatic missions. T he recipient of this letter in

Schlaefli strasse 2 in Bern (used as Legation of Turkey; 1922-1926)

32 First Turki sh diplomatic envoy in B e rn

At the end of 1923, the Legation of Turkey in Bern Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs between was led by Charge d'Affaires Ahmet Ru~tu Demirel. 1920 and 1940 was also present at the ceremony. He took part to the traditional New-Year reception hosted by the Swiss Federal Council (Government). On 6 October 1925, the Swiss President, Mr. Musy In the cable he sent to his capital on this reception, sent a letter to the President of Turkey stating that he conveyed the best wishes of success that had assistance would be provided to Munir Ertegun and been voiced by the Swiss authorities during the that the Swiss Federal Council (Government) would reception. spare no effort in developing even further the bonds of friendship, prevailing between Turkey and In 1924, Refik Birgen with the title of Charge Switzerland. d'Affaires, assumed the charge of the Turkish Legation in Bern mission.

Munir Ertegun, who presented his letter of credentials in October 1925, was the first Minister at the Turkish Legation in Bern. He knew Switzerland as he had taken part at the Lausanne Peace Conference two years before his nomination to Bern. He came from Ankara where he worked as Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had studied law in the University of Istanbul and graduated in 1908.

With this appointment, Ertegun was entrusted with the task of giving a new start and developing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Switzerland.

On 1 October 1925, Ertegun presented his letter of credentials dated 28 February 1925 and signed by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Kemal Ataturk to the President of the Confederation, Jean-Marie

Musy. The latter was also Federal Councilor and Mehmet Munir Ertegiin Head of the Department of Finances and Customs. , who was member of the Federal

33 Oeparlemenl Pollllqne federal Division des Affaires Etrangeres ( B.22.T.36.- LE,

PrMre de rappeler ct numtro dans la rlponse.

Le Departement Politique Federal a l ' ho nneur de porter a la connaissance de la Legation de Turquie que Monsieur le President de la Confederation et Monsieur Motta, Conseiller Federal, recevront Son Excellence Munir Bey pour la remise de ses lettres de creance le j eudi ler octobre prochain, a onze heures et demie du matin. M. Traversini, Conseiller de Legation, se ren­ dra a onze heures et quart a l' pour conduire S.E. Muni r Bey au Palais Federal. Le Departement Politique saisit cette occasion pour renouveler a la Legation l'assurance de sa haute con-

side ration. Berne, le 30 septembre 1925, 'i.

A la Legation de TUR Q u IE,

BERNE .

Nore verbale from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (at that time called Federal Political D epartment) informing Munir Ercegiin on the date for the ceremony of presentation of his letter of credentials (Source: Archive of the Embassy)

34 -#~-??vU- d f;if;;~~~H,t/J~~ -a- c~-V'-~ ~ - I 7~-~~~/fe- ~~ ' ~ - ~~-&~/~ , -&~~ ~ ,;£:~~-#~: &- ~ ~~~fl//tbC-· /Y-f:~-. (?k;4'~-~ &- 91~- ~ / ~ /d:-~.9~ ~ ~ ~ __;_.... ' ' '/ ~~ tfhA- ,f'~-~// ~ ~~~~ - ~4~ ~~;fe:/~~~ . . ;;5_ ~ ~~~:_~ ~~/?~ d / _~­ --A:~ /~ ~bJ::___j~ - ;i~ ~ g}fq~~~ / ,r:7u -6-t- cf/f~- ~~ a4~ / . pU, ~ c~r~t:L~~ ~ . / / ' p' ~~~~~- / ~~ ~~ /~ ~r};<_. ~ -- #'~u.n2--~~ ffe~~ ~ ~c,<-PVO ~,,-~-.J.,u . .£t.bt,(A.,t;Vf4--4.

Hand written draft speech prepared by Munir Ertegiin for the ceremony of presentation of his letter of credentials (Source: Archive of the Embassy)

35 Monsieur,~ le Preside nt, ~~ e ~ 1/t-"1 J'ai l'homneur de r emettre entre -i,e,e mains de Yotre ~~spar lesquelles Son Excell ence Mo nsieur le Ghazi/ Kemal ..... , President de la Republique Turque, m'accr e­ dite aupres du Conseil federal en qualite d'envoye extra ordi naire et Ministre Plenipotentiaire. Je suis particulierement heureux d'avoir l e gr and honneur d'etre designe le premier comme mini stre de l a Republique Turque aupres de la Confederation Suisse. J ' apprecie hautement la mi ssi on

ayant pour but de developper davantage l es r elations d 'amitie I qui ont si heureusement existe de tout temps ent.re nos deux pays . ~ -<"" ~ s«·f.u, ~ J'~e a esperer, Monsieur le Pr,}sident'l) qlie V0tpe Exael l en 00 aiRBi ~li::;-e Conseil ~u'elle ~Ie ~ide voud r~ bien m'honorer /.J .... .5 cr>--- de~ haute confiance et de 1-ettr precieux a ppui dans l'a ccom- plissement de cette tache impor tante .

Draft speech prepared by Munir Ertegi.in for the ceremony of presentation of his letter of credentials (Source: Archive of the Embassy)

36 Monsieur le Ministre,

C'est avec plaisir que nous recevons de vos mains les l ettres par lesquelles Son Excellence Monsieur le Ghazi Moustapha Kemal, President de la Republique Turque, vous accredite aupres du Conseil Federal en qualite d'Envoye extraordinair e et Ministre plenipotentiaire. Il nous est particulierement agreable de saluer en vous , qui connaissez notre pays, qui savez l'amitie qu'il nourrit pour le votre, l'eminente personnalite a laquelle est echu l'honneur d'etre le premier 11'.i nistre plenipotentiaire de la jeune et vail· lante Republique pres notre seculaire Confederation. Dans l'exercice de la noble tache qui vousincombe de travailler au developpement des relations intellectuel]es et economiques qui existent deja entre les deux pays,vous recevrez toujours le meilleur accueil aupres du Con seil Federal, qui n'omettra rien pour vous faciliter l'accomplissement de votre

mission. En vous priant d'etre, aupres de votre Gouvernement, l 'interprete dew voeux qu e nous formons pour le bonheur et la prosperite de la Turquie, nous vous souhaitons, Monsieur l e Ministre, la plus cordiale bienvenue parmi nous.

0

Text of speech made by Swiss President Musy during the ceremony of presentation of letter of credentials by Munir Enegi.in (Archive of the Embassy)

37 • Purchase by Turkey of a residence 1n Bern

It was deemed important that Turkey owned the passed away and his children had moved to different building where its Legation were to be seated in locations outside Bern. Switzerland that had hosted the negotiations of the Treaty of Lausanne. Although the young Republic On 29 September 1925, notary Ruetschi sent a was in dire times, Ertegun's prominent position in couple of documents to the Turkish Legation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it possible that concerning the sale of this villa. One of these priority be given to such task. documents was a draft power of attorney which had

to be signed by Munir Ertegiin, proving his capacity The first contacts between the Turkish to act on behalf of Turkey. It mentioned the price representatives and notary Rudolf Ruetschi, who of the villa as 318 thousand Swiss Franks. On 31 helped the transaction, can be traced back to the October 1925, Ruetschi sent a further letter, asking middle of 1925. On 1 July 1925, notary Ruetschi Munir Ertegun to communicate urgently his final sent a letter to the Federal Political Department decision on the deal. On 3 November 1925, Ertegun (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the time) sent his approval with some specific conditions. asking whether it was advisable to do business with a diplomatic representation. In its reply of 13 July On 10 April 1926, Munir Ertegiin instructed the 1925, the Federal Political Department informed the notary to prepare the sale contract and make a notary about diplomatic immunity matters. It also formal application in order to secure the approval of stated that the had adopted in 1866 the Government of the Canton of Bern to the a law on purchase of real estate that made it possible transaction. for foreign states to buy real estate and that three states (France, and Britain) had already On the request of Ri.ietschi, the Cantonal authorities used this possibility. The Federal Department also of Bern started reviewing the question of the sale of informed the notary that the consent of the villa Trachsler to Turkey. On 19 June 1926, the Government of the canton of Bern was needed. Department of Legal Affairs of the Canton of Bern sent a letter to the Federal Political Department Notary Ruetschi had brought to the attention of the regarding the power of attorney which Munir Turkish Minister, a villa located in the K.irchenfeld­ Ertegiin intended to produce. On 20 July, it further Elfenau district. It was built in 1907 for a Swiss asked the Federal Department's opinion on the sale. businessman, Johannes Trachsler. The owner had

38 On 26 July 1926, the notary produced a first draft justice, Emil Lohner (Regierungsrat). On 25 October contract of sale. Munir Ertegun was asked to make a 1926, Lohner instructed the registrar of real estate in first payment of CHF 38,000 in cash and agree to Bern to register without delay the purchase further annual mortgages of CHF 20,000 each, agreement of the villa. numbered 1 through 14, a total of 318.000 Franks. For a period of five years the Republic of Turkey According to the sale agreement, the villa had to be would be entitled to redeem the mortgages vacated by the Trachsler family within four weeks at prematurely. Interest rate was fixed at 5.25 % for the the latest. The Note Verbale sent on 24 September first year and 5.5 % for the subsequent years. The 1926 by the Legation of Turkey to the Swiss Federal Bern Cantonal Bank (Kantonalbank von Bern) Political Department indicates that the Legation guaranteed the mortgages. moved on 23 September 1926, but that the date of the note should be considered as the official date of On 30 July 1926, the draft was sent by the transfer. On 1 October 1926, the Swiss Federal Department of Legal Affairs of the Canton of Bern Political Department informed the relevant local to the Federal Political Department and its consent authorities of the change of address of the was sought. The Federal Department said it had no Legation. objections to the sale in a ktter of 9 August 1926. In a decision on 13 August 1926, the Government of After the purchase of the villa, Ertegun started the Canton of Bern approved the sale. settling with his family and installed his own furniture. Some of the furniture existing in the villa Signing of the contract of sale was also bought by the Legation.

In 4 September 1926, the contract of sale was signed The Villa was the seat of the Legation and the in the Legation of Turkey by the representatives of residence of the Nlinister. the Trachsler family, Munir Ertegun and Ruetschi, acting as notary. An official from the Bern It was the first Embassy building bought by Turkey administration was also present as translator. after the proclamation of the Republic. Other buildings followed: Athens (1934), Bucharest (1934),

The registrar of real estate (Grundbuchfohres) for Washington (1935), The Hague (1937), Tehran Bern first refused to register the sale of the villa. He (1938), Cairo (1941 ), Kabul (1945), etc. claimed that the power of attorney given by the Republic of Turkey to Ertegun would not allow the issuance of the 14 annual mortgages. Notary Ruetschi informed the director of justice of the Canton of Bern about the refusal encountered and petitioned on 20 October 1926 the director of

39 No. 2.

rafonp~mm_ Tiil61rw~mm1L~~ Tt1l11MU!~mma Wiirter - Mo ts :· SSS ++ angora 758 131 29/8 20/10-,L . Parole 0 ·-" ~·-·· uu OeC#e.ap ~: -~ lt·rap'hi;r,. ·-.,-,,. iz::'-o""\ I',. AufgegebCen den -t Co_ n,igne le...... ) JT! /111 · a ..... ~hr - heuresl · ' /LJ/j ./) on~egnn l 1 (l1//7J? . {;::;> :tile' .;j' I ore . --)'?<~?.'. '~ ~,..; '",'·\~ ' z· ' ' Erl;a1ttn Von ~dRe~u dU i:ir.,J·~J ...... cie;,.- k v 192 um • a .. . Uhr - heut,e{( ·.. f" 'rnin ...... , 1cevuto a [U~ .. -.1 l) ... , 11 I' ,, 11 e ore · 1 ------~ ...... · Contr. )IL ...... ~ Event. Augaben . } - --- J,,i'f.fr:<1tioni e've11t. • ·· intlic1~ziooi event. son exceLt,ence munir bey ...... , ministre de turquie beinll ......

= vous etes autorise et !lluni de pLeins pouvoirs par gouvernem-ent ..... ------turc pour acheter viLLa traxLer no ;124 - - - - - mini stre des aff aires etraaQeres tevfik ruchd.i

J ············ ···-····················································

...... ····························

...... ,..... ,. ., ...... , ......

Uucrtelegrapilierl an - R*e1pauioa den-le aer Tel•cr&Pbfst : - le 161tgra pllllte : , 6llrasmcsst1 a ...... ii II teft,aflsta :

Telegram of 29 August 1926 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tevfik Ri.i ~tii Aras giving power to Mehmet Munir Ertegiin to purchase the Villa Trachsler on behalf of the Republic of Turkey

40 <.5y ------­ ,s4.,_..;.------

Power o f attorne_ y o f ·12 September 1926 signed b)- the Turkish Minister. of Finance giving authority to Ertegi.in to conclude the transacuon

41 NOT.A.RIAT o VERWALTUN6EN

BERN , 0 •N 3l~ Okto'ber 1925, 8 UNDES PLATZ e E. ROTH, NOTAR R. R0ETSCHI, NOTAR H. GRIESS EN , SA CHWAL TER A Son Bxcellen)e TELEPHON BOLL WERK 40.0a POSTCHECK /II 712 Kunir Bey, ------Minietre de Turquie en Suieee a.a. de l'Am'baeeade de Turquie a Paris. ******"***** Franc e. Excel l encaf - - ~e v oue ••raie tre rec on naieeant, ai voue voul i ez bien m• averti.r aueQ vite que possible a. qu el point nous SO!mlee arrives a Ce jour au eujet de l'Achat de la Vi l la No 14 Kalcheggweg ~ Berne,vu qu'il ya encore d'autree ama t eurs serieux et que cette affairs eet devenue preesante. En voue remerciant d•ava?lQe four la peine d'une prompte r eponse, j 'ai l'honneur de voua prier,Bxloellence,d'agreer l'aeeurance de ma parfaits con.eideration

Letter by notary Ruetschi asking Ertegiin's decision on the deal

42 KANT ON BERN

Sitzung des Regierungsrates vom 13. August 1926.

3521. Liegenschaftserwerbung durch einen frem­ den Staat. - Der Tiirkischen Republik, vertrekn durch ihren ausserordentlichen Gesandtt'n und be­ vollmachtigten Minister, Exzellenz Mehmed Munir Bey, wird die Bewilligung zur Erwerbung einer Be­ sitzung- Kalcheggweg- 18 in Bern (Grundbuchblatt Nr. 123, Flur S) unter folgenden Bedingungen ertcilt: 1. Die in Frage stchencle Liegenschaft ist zu ieder Zeit und unter alien Umstanden den privatrecht­ lichen und den ofientlich-rechtlichen Vorschriften, welche beziiglich des Grundeigentums im Kanton Bern Geltung haben, unterworfe11. Hievon wird ein­ zig ausgenommen die Militarlast (Einquartierungs­ pflicht), von welcher die vorbezeichnete Besitzung befreit sein soil, solange und soweit sie als Gesandt­ schaftsgebaude dient. 2. Jnsbesonclere sol! der Gerichtsstand der ge­ legenen Sache als der allein zustandige fiir allc Rechtsverhaltnisse der erwiihnten Lieg:enschaft gel­ ten. Diese Bewilligung- samt Bedingungen ist dem zwischen der Erbschaft Trachsler, als Verkauferin, und der Ti.irkischen Republik, als Kauferin, abge­ schlossenen Kaufvertrag nachzutragen. Der Regierungsstatthalter II von Bern erhalt den Auftrag, diescn Beschluss dem Beauftra1;ten der Parteien, Notar Roth in Bern, durch Zustellung eines Protokollauszuges und untcr Bezug der Kanzlei­ und StempeJg-ebi.ihren im Betrage von 100 Fr. 60 zu- ,, hand en der Sta a tskanzlei zu eroffnen.

An die Justizdirektion. , I

Fur getreuen Protokollauszu!t

der Staatsschreiber:

~. . ,-..

D ecision of 13 August 1926 by the Government of the Canton of Bern approving the sale of the villa in Kalcheggweg 18

43 Last page of the original of the contract of sale of the villa situated in Kalcheggweg 18

44 Berne, le 24 septembre 1926.

',·

~ I. i,~ t ( _ fl}.. ;}, J La Legation de Turquie a l'honneur de porter a ls coa- ,r I oJ t ., . ' ., .'/J na.issance du Departement Poli tique Federal qu 'elle a trans!'ere '\. ;F sa Chancellerie a Kalcheggweg No 18 ou resider• egalement le ,/ Ministre. La !,egation saisit cette occasion pour renouveler au Depar·

tement Poli tique Pederal l'as surance· de sa haute consideratiom1

Au. Departement Politique Federal Ber:ae. \

Note verbale by the Legation of Turkey informing the Federal D epartment of Foreign Affairs on the change of address of the Legation

45 Mehmet Miinir Ertegiin

Born in 1883 in Istanbul, he studied Law in and graduated in 1908. In his early career, he worked as a lawyer in the Ottoman Foreign Office. During the War of Independence, he was

sent by the Ottoman Government to Ankara and "defected" to join the forces led by Ataturk. Soon after the War he served as legal adviser during the Lausanne Treaty negotiations.

After working as First Legal Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, in 1925 he was chosen to represent his country in Switzerland. After 5 years of service in Bern, where he was also observer at the League of Nations in Geneva, he was appointed to another post abroad. In the span of the next five years, he was subsequently Ambassador of Turkey in Paris (1930-1932), London (1932-1934) and Washington (1934). In 1934 he adopted the surname "Ertegun".

In Washington, his tenure lasted 10 years. He died there in 1944 whilst on duty. As the Second World War was going, he was temporarily buried in November 1944 in Arlington cemetery. Two years later, in 1946, President Truman ordered the battleship USS lvlissouri to return his body to Turkey. It was a gesture interpreted as a

demonstration of US policy opposing Russian From left to right: Ahmet, Munir and Selma E rtegiin demands on Turkey. Munir Ertegun was buried in the garden of Ozbekler Tekkesi in Sultantepe, Oskudar.

46 Ertegiin' s children

Munir Ertegun's children, Nesuhi (191 7-1989), Ahmet (1923- 2006) and Selma (born in 1925) spent 5 years in Bern, then moved to various countries where their father was appointed. As a recollection of his days in Bern, the late told us during the preparation of this book that he used to play football in the garden of the Legation with the sons of the President of the Swiss Confederation Jean-Marie Musy. When their father died in 1944, and most of the rest of his family returned to Turkey, Ahmet and Nesuhi stayed in the USA and founded respectively Atlantic Records and WEA International, now Warner Music International. They both helped their Swiss friend Claude Nobs to initiate the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Selma Goksel Ertegun received her B.A. degree from Bryn Mawr College in 1946. Returning to Turkey in 1947, she worked as translator at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. In 1949, she married Dr Husnu Goksel, who later became a professor and head of the Department Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegi.in with Swiss President Musy's children of Surgery at Hacettepe University in Ankara. For the past in the garden of the residence ten years, she has headed the Munir Ertegun Foundation for Turkish Historical Research. She is currently living in Istanbul.

Ahmet and Nesuhi in front of the Bern G ymnasium

E mel Zorlu (daughter of Foreign :Mini ster Tevfik Ri.i ~tii Aras) and Zekiye Ertegi.in (a cousin) Cemil Ertegi.in (i'vfi.inir' s father) with his grand-children Selma and Ahmet

47 First owner of the Villa: Trachsler family

Photography of the residence in the 191 O's

48 The first owner of the residence, Johannes Heinrich After the completion of his villa in the same year, Trachsler (1850-1919) was born in Elgg and grew up 1907, Trachsler started living there with its family. in Wellenau bei Bauma, both in the countryside in Johannes Trachsler named his villa "Villa Wellenau in the Canton of Zurich. His first job was with a textile Bern" in reference to his mother's (Regula Trachsler, company widely known in the world during that maiden name: Kundig), commune of ongm. period. At that time, Switzerland's leading export Wellenau is a hamlet near Bauma in the "Zurcher product was fabrics and cloth produced on Swiss Oberland" (country side of Zurich). The inscription machines from imported cotton. "Wellenau" was put on one of the pillars in the main gate in front of the main entrance. "Welle" means

In 1871, he joined a Swiss company, Puttfarcken & wave and its appearance in the name of the Villa Co in . He was one of the agents could be interpreted as reflecting the waves of the employed to find markets for Swiss export goods. land on which the Villa was built. It may also reflect He also imported tobacco and cigars to Switzerland. his life as his commercial successes overseas (in In 1883, he returned to Switzerland and joined the Singapore) was a in a way "traveling on the waves". textile company of a famous Swiss railroad magnate, Adolf Guyer-Zeller, as head of the export department.

In 1885, he set up his own textile export business in Zurich thanks to the financial support of Guyer­ Zeller. His company, named "J.H.Trachsler AG, Bern. Export-Import" was mainly exporting fabric to overseas markets, especially in East Asia. He also invested in a lithography firm, established in 1898, by his brother in law, Hubacher & Biedermann.

In 1907, he decided to move his business to Bern. The same year, he bought some land in the Kalcheggut area, to build his own house. The plot in question, of 4654 square meters, was sold in April of that year, by the von Steiger family. Trachsler chose the architect Albert Gerster, who had already designed the villa built in 1906 by a junior von Steiger.

Johannes H einrich Trachsler and hi s family

49 Trachsler family reunion in the garden of the villa

Residence during the ownership of the Trachsler family

50 Main gate of the residence during the ownership of the Trachsler family

51 View from the entrance hall and rooms in the ground floor during the ownership of the Trachsler family

52 Trachsler' s heirs

A widower, Trachsler married in 1893 Susanna Lydia President of the International Committee of the Red Hubacher (born in 1868), sister of the lithographer Cross (ICRC) in Geneva. He handled many Gustav Hubacher (all Burger of Bern, guild humanitarian cnses during his tenure (Cambodia, Schuhmachern). One year later, their daughter, Iraq, etc). Gertrud Lydia, was born. Eliane Hay worked as a headmistress m a private

On 5 June 1918, Gertrud Lydia married Frederick high school in Geneva. Hay, orchestra chief at the Bern Municipal Theatre, a British national (became Swiss later) born in Basel. Frederick Hay divorced Gertrud Lydia Hay in 1934 and remarried in 1937. A girl, Marianne Hay, was

On 6 April 1919, Johann Heinrich Trachsler died in born from his second marriage. his Villa in Bern. On 29 October 1919, Trachsler's daughter Lydia gave birth in the Villa to her first An heiress from Trachsler's first marriage was his child: Alexandre Hay. Four years later, on 29 daughter Klara Trachsler Rikli. She was born in October 1923, the Republic of Turkey was Winterthur, just after their return from Singapore. In established. 1910, she married Samuel Benjamin Rikli, a protestant clergyman and widower with three young

In 1920, Lydia and Frederick Hay settled in Chene­ daughters. Klara and S. Benjamin Rikli had a son in Bougeries () as the latter got a job 1912 (Peter Heinrich). as an orchestra conductor in Geneva. Their second and third child respectively Frank (1922) and Eliane Peter Heinrich Rikli studied law at the University of (1927) were born there. In 1930, Frederick Hay and Bern. He joined the Bern Energy supplier firm in his family became citizens of Chene-Bougeries and 1943 until 1977. His last post in the company was as such citizens of Switzerland. Vice director. He was married and had three daughters. The late Mr Aerni whom we owe deep

Alexandre Hay (1919-1991) studied law in Geneva gratitude for his research of the local and family and entered the Swiss Foreign Ministry in 1945. archives, and collected all details on the Trachsler After working eight years in the Swiss diplomatic family, managed to locate two of them (Katharina rmss10n m Paris, covering international financial and Anne-Marie) who are incidentally living close to institutions, he joined in 1953 the Swiss National the residence. Bank. In 1966, he became Vice-Chairman of the Governing Board. He held that post for ten years and between 1976 and 1987, he held the post of

53 Treaty of Friendship (1925-1927)

The Treary of Friendship between Turkey and Switzerland was signed in Geneva on 19 September 1925. It was signed on the Turkish side by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tevfik Riiftii Aras and Miinir Ertegiin; on the Swiss side by Guiseppe Motta, Federal Councilor and Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs. E rtegiin signed the treary 11 d~s before he presented his letter of credentials in Bern. The Treary entered into force on 23 .April 1927, after its ratification in both Turkish and Swiss Parliaments.

La Confederation Suisse, d'une part, et la Republique Turque, d'autre part,

Animees d'une egal desir de consolider les liens de Co n stante amitie dont elles se sont deja donne des preuves.

Et penetrees de la meme conviction que les relations entre les d eux Etats, entretenues clans cet esprit, serviront a la prosperite et au bien-etre de leurs populations respectives,

Ont resolu de conclure un traite d'amitie et ont, a cet effet, nomme leurs plenipotentiaires, lesquels, apres s'etre communique leurs pleins pouvoirs, trouves en bonne et due forme, sont convenus des dispositions suivantes

Article 1

Il y aur a pa1 x inviolable et amitie sincere et perpetuelle entre la Confederation Suisse e t la Republique Turque ainsi qu'entre les ressortissants des deux Etats.

Article 2

Les Haues Parties Contractantes sont d'accord pour etablir les relations diplomatiques entre les deux Etats conformemen t aux principes du droit des gens.

Page 552: First page of the draft ratification decree presented to the S1viss Parliament on the approval of the Treary of Friendship (1926) 54 Elles conviennent que !es representants diplomatiques de chacune d'elles recevront a charge de reciprocite, sur le territoire de l'autre, le traitement consacre par les principes du droit international public general.

Article 3

Les Hautes Parties Contractantes sont d'accord pour regler entre elles les relations commerciales, les relations consulaires, ainsi que !es conditions d'etablissement et de sejour, sur leurs territoires respectifs, des ressortissants de l'autre Partie, par des traites ou conventions qu'elles se reservent de conclure, conformement aux regles du droit international public general, sur la base d'une parfaite reciprocite.

Article 4

Le present traite sera ratifie et les ratifications seront echangees a Berne, le plus tot que faire se pourra. Il entrera en vigueur le quinzieme jour apres l'echange des ratifications.

En foi de quo1, les plenipotentiaires respectifs o nt s1gne le present traite et y ont appose leurs sceaux.

Fait, en double, a Geneve, le dix-neuf septembr e mil n euf cent vingt-cinq.

{ Projet)

Arrete lederal portant. approbation du rraite d'amitie conclu, le 19 septembre 1925, entre. la Suisse et la Turquie.

L'ASSEMBLEE FEDERALE de la CONFE DERA1' 10N SUISSE,

vu Jc message du Conseil f&deral dn 5 janvier 1926,

arrete:

Article premier. Le traitO d'amit.iO oonclu, le 19 seiptem,bre 1925, ,enti·c la Suisse ct la Turqnie est approuve. Le Cooseil fOdCra l est ,charge de l'cxt,:..C ution du prCseot arrete. Ar t. 2. ·Le pres

Traite d'amitie entre la Suisse et la Turquie.

LA CONFEDE RATION SUISSE , d'u11e part. et LA REPUSLIQUE TU RQUE . d'nutre part, animCOs d'un Cga l

55 • Multilateral diplomacy 1n the 1930's

The League of Nations

On 6 July 1932, the Assembly of the League of Nations seated in Geneva, invited Turkey to join the League. The matter was taken up at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on 9 July 1932 and approval was given to the Government. The League of Nations Assembly subsequently unanimously agreed to accept Turkey for membership.

Tevfik Ri.i1ti.i Aras Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Foreign Minister Aras, who did much for this result could from 1925 until 1938 not take part to the ceremony held on 18 July 1932 where Turkey was officially admitted as a member state of the League. Turkey was represented at the ceremony by its representative in Bern, Cemal Husnu Taray and , the Turkish Delegate at the Conference of Disarmament.

Two years later, in September 1934, Turkey was elected as non permanent member for a period of three years of the Council of the League.

During Turkey's tenure in the Council (1934-1937), its representatives took an active part in the work of the League, Foreign Minister Aras presided over the Council in various instances.

Turkey's presence in the League of Nations and in the

Council allowed it to contribute to peace and stability with its surrounding environment. The League of N ations in session

56 The Montreux Conference

Thanks to the Treaty of Lausanne, Switzerland in general method proposed by Turkey to negotiate and Lausanne in particular are entrenched in the minds of jointly a new regime. This was also stated by the . The Lausanne Treaty, signed on 24 July the Federal Councilor, Head of the Swiss 1923 paved the way for the proclamation of the Republic Department of Foreign Affairs, Guiseppe of Turkey on 29 October 1923 and its introduction as a Motta who made the opening statement of new, free and independent member of the international the Conference. Turkey had asked Switzerland community, ending the instability and tragedies of the first to open the Conference, as it did during the World War. In terms of diplomacy, the 1923 Lausanne Lausanne Peace Conference in 1922. Peace Conference was the first major negotiation entered into by the newly established state of Turkey in its history. A new Convention was signed on 20 July 1936. It is still in force. Switzerland did not only inspire the Turkish negotiators in 1923, but it also served as a host to other important negotiations, such as the Conference on the Turkish straits, which ended with a Convention which continues to be in force.

The purpose of the Montreux Conference was to negotiate and determine a new regime for the passage of vessels in the Turkish straits. In April 1936, the Turkish Government sent a memorandum to all signatories of the Lausanne treaty Plaque commemorating the 1936 Montreux Conference (plus the Soviet Union and (Montreux Palace Hotel ) Yugoslavia) suggesting to revise the provisions determined in the annex of the Lausanne Treaty signed in 1923. All signatories of the annex accepted and took part in a conference which met on 22 June in Montreux. All participants welcomed the

57 RADIOORAMM RADIO ORAMM E !!ADIO-SUISSES. A.

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Bern Li, •. -> JVJ GE:~: 1 11 AVR.

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/)_C. 1., /1 I I j ,)A a-/ < 1 tu No. t tioo,cm VI . ~

Telegram sent by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to several Turkish Legations asking to call upon French, British, Italian, Japanese, Bulgarian, Romanian, Soviet and Yugoslav Governments in order to meet for negotiating a new regime on the passage through the Turkish Straits. The Legation in Bern was asked to inform the Swiss authorities

Negotiators in session at the Momreux Conference

58 DtPARTEMENT POLITIQUE FtDtRAL DIVISION DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES B.57.10.2. KO. Berne, le 2e mai 1936. Priib,e de rappe!er ct:tlle r6ftlrer,c.e dac1s la ,eponse ad 435-26-27.

Monsieur le Charge d'Affaires,

Nous i.:vons eu l'honneur de reoevoir la lettre du 23 mai, par laquelle vous avez bien voulu nous donner oonnaissance de la date de l'ouverture de la prochaine Conference des retroits qui tiendra ses seances au Pala­ ce-HOtel de Montreux et vous remercions de votre obligeante communication. Conformement &. votre desir, nous nous som­ mes mis en relation avec les Departements federat1x compe­ tents tant au sujet des mesures de st1rve1llance et de snre­ te que necessitera 1•ouvertt1re de cette conference, qu•at1 sujet de l'organisation du service telepllonique et tele­ graphique destine b faciliter les travaux des d8legations et des jot1rnalistes. Nous avons, en outre, mis le Conseil d 1 Etat du Canton de Vaud au courant de votre requ~te, de sorte que les autorites cantonales puissent envisager de leur cOte egalement toute mesure pouvant contribuer a une organisation aussi parfaite que possible de la Con­ ference des retroits. Veuillez agreer, Monsieur le Charge d•Affaires, l'assurance de notrt:! consideration la plus distinguee.

de/ •11gere

Monsieur Fikret 5z-DoSanci, Charge d'Affaires de Turquie, B e r n e

31519

Letter by the Swiss Federal Political Department (Department of Foreign Affairs) informing that the requests made by the Legation of Turkey concerning the organisation of the Monrreux Con­ ference would be met

59 Message sent on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation (1941)

01.08.1941

"En ce jour memorable ou le peuple su1sse

fete le 650eme anniversaire de la fondation de la Confederation suisse, je m'empresse d'adresser a Votre Excellence mes plus vives felicitations et la prie d'agreer !'expression de mes voeux sinceres et chaleureux que je forme pour son bonheur personnel et la prosperite du peuple suisse.

Ismet Inonii

A Son Excellence Monsieur le Dr. E. Wetter President de la Confederation Suisse Berne"

60 Friends for all seasons ! by Jiirg Stiissi-Lauterburg, Ph.D.

Every nation lives at least once through a period when Other resources largely lacking, the basic force of its actual existence hangs in the balance. In such a time a Switzerland was willpower, the people's resolution to small number of people not despairing of their country conserve its independence. Small wonder the must see things through or else honour will forever be celebrations on the occasion of Switzerland's 650th lost and with honour the vital force allowing a people to birthday (1 August 1291 to 1 August 1941) assumed a live as an independent body politic under God. certain importance and were disliked by the minority

of Nazi sympathisers that did exist. Still more Switzerland's time came when Adolf Hitler's Germany disliked those celebrations were by the Nazis and the invaded France in 1940 and by the end of June had to all Fascists themselves, so much so that neither intents and purposes encircled our country together with Germany nor Italy saw fit to send their his fascist buddy Benito Mussolini in Italy. There still was congratulations. Switzerland was to all intents and a government of France in Vichy; it tried, more seriously purposes abandoned by the world, sixteen nations than is today usually acknowledged, to maintain a certain excepted whose names we hold for ever dear: independence. Yet, what independence can there ever be Vatican, , France, Liechtenstein, , if you lack the military power to stand in the way of a Poland, , , Sweden, , United bully ordering your country around? So much for Vichy. Kingdom, , , USA, In Switzerland there was no lack of defeatism even in and Turkey. It is in adversity that you discover high places. your all-weather friends. Turkey, as demonstrated by President Ismet Inonu's telegram to Federal President Switzerland probably would have fallen then and there , is to Switzerland such an all-weather but for General Henri Guisan and the Swiss army. friend and even if, from time to time, small and - Guisan assembled the principal commanders on the Rutli seen from a really historical perspective meadow on 25 July 1940 and explained to them the basic unimportant misunderstandings do appear, the basic strategy to be adopted: Sitting on the Gotthard and mutual comprehension of those two peoples living Lotschberg-Simplon railways, the army would threaten to under red and white will forever endure. I for one interrupt - in case of an attack on Switzerland - the vital will never forget that it is a glorious feeling to know supply lines for German steel and German coal sent to we have friends in Ankara, not the shallow, Italy. Germany and Italy would lose those lines for many superficial, day to day variety, but historically proven months and during those months Italy, not adequately friends for all seasons! supplied by the remaining Brenner railway, would crumble; the British would land and push to the Alps; Windisch, 6 October 2007 the Axis Rome-Berlin would be broken. Such an event the Germans wanted to avoid while the war continued elsewhere; for the time being they had perforce to continue negotiating with the Swiss; so the survival of our small nation was provisionally assured.

61 Raising the level of the Turkish diplomatic mission in Bern (1952-1953)

up Kadri -~~Rrn~r~Qlu Zoraki a n I i lomat

Book by Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu, famous writer and diplomat This book includes his memoirs about the time he spend in Switzerland The book was published in 1954 by Ileti~im Yaymlan

62 After having spent two years in the Iranian capital more taken up in a paper submitted by the Federal and suffering from health problems, Turkish Political Department to the Federal Council Ambassador Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu, writer (document No 9373). It was proposed that the USA and diplomat, was appointed in 1951 for a second and Italy, the only countries to have made a formal time to represent his country in Bern. (He had request, be allowed to raise the level of their already been Minister of Turkey in Switzerland from representatives to Ambassador. It was also 1942 to 1949). His reassignment to Switzerland recommended that only countries that had voiced posed two problems. First, Turkey had not their willingness to raise the rank of their accredited another envoy after Karaosmanoglu had representatives should also be informed about the left Bern for Tehran, and it was not usual to ask evolution envisaged and the readiness of the Swiss agreement for the same person in succession. authorities to take up the matter on a bilateral basis. Secondly, he had been promoted to the rank of It was also wished that countries with whom Ambassador in Tehran and the Swiss Government Switzerland had very tight ties would upgrade their was not likely to accept him as such as head of envoy's level, first. diplomatic missions were still at a lower rank (Ministers). Karaosmanoglu wrote in his memoirs As the proposal was accepted, changes began. At the that he thought it was his case that sparked a big end of 1953, , Italy, Turkey, , the USA debate in Switzerland on the subject and he believed and Great Britain had raised the level of their he was instrumental in the change of attitude on the representatives in Bern. Their missions had become rank of foreign envoys. embassies. Turkey was among the first countries to raise its representative's level to Ambassador. Yakup From the Swiss diplomatic archives, it arises that the Kadri Karaosmanoglu had finally seen his desire matter was first taken up in 1952 by the Swiss materialize. He had become the first Ambassador of Government. The Federal Political Department in a Turkey in Switzerland. Nevertheless his tenure as confidential paper presented to the members of the Ambassador lasted only one year as he was replaced Foreign Affairs Commissions m Parliament in 1954 by the Turkish Ambassador in Rome, Faik summarized the situation (document no 9306 Zihni Akdur. published in Documents Diplomatiques Suisses). Mention was made to pressure corning from several Switzerland took some time to reciprocate and raise countries (Canada, the USA and Turkey) willing to the level of its mission in Turkey. It was only in 1956 accredit an Ambassador and to that fact that the that the Federal Parliament authorised the Federal general trend in the world was the accreditation of Council to raise the rank of its envoys and all Swiss Ambassadors instead of lvlinisters. It was also legations abroad were informed that Swiss Ministers acknowledged that the best way to attract the best serving in countries that had Ambassadors in Bern diplomats in Bern was to accept Ambassadors and would be "upgraded". The Swiss Minister's rank in that many Ministers already in post in Bern held the Ankara was raised to the rank of Ambassador in rank of Ambassador in their countries (that was true 1957. for Karaosmanoglu). In 1953, the issue was once

63 Recent bilateral contacts

Many high level contacts were made between Government representatives of Turkey and Switzerland. In the following pages, we have reproduced some photographs taken during these visits.

64 , President of the Swiss Confederation and Suleyman Demirel, President of Turkey (photograph taken during the OSCE Summit which took place in Istanbul on 18 November 1999)

65 Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister of Turkey and , Presidem of the Swiss Confederation (Davos, 28 January 2000)

66 , President of the Swiss Confederation and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey (Davos, 29 January 2005)

67 lVlicheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President of Turkey (r\nkara, 29 March 2005)

68 Abdullah Giil, D eputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkey and ivlicheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal D epartment of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (Ankara, 29 March 2005)

Abdullah Giil has been elected on 28 August 2007 as 11 rh President of the Republic of Turkey by the Turkish Grand National Assembly

69 Visit by Pascal Couchepin, Chief of the Federal Department of Interior of Switzerland upon the invitation of Attila Koc;:, lvlinister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

On the photography, Pascal Couchepin is seen during a sightseeing in the town of Marclin, together with the governor of Mardin, Mehmet Kilic;:lar (Mardin, 9 February 2007)

70 Cerni! C::i~ek, Minister of Justice of Turkey and , Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police of Switzerland (Ankara, 4 October 2006)

71 Ali Babacan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (Bern, 12 September 2008)

72 Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and the J\IIinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey met at numerous occasions his Swiss counterpart, State Secretary Ambassador Michael Ambuhl

Ambassador Apakan (far left) is seen here during a dinner hosted by Ambassador Alev K.11.t~ (far right) in his honour during one of his visits to Switzerland (Bern, September 2008)

73 Switzerland as host to important diplomatic negotiations

After the 1923 Lausanne Peace Conference and the 1936 Montreux Conference on the regime of passage through the Turkish Straits, Switzerland hosted several other important diplomatic negotiations for Turkey.

In 1959, Switzerland was once again associated in Turkey with the idea of "justice" and "freedom" as , through an agreement signed first in Ziirich, made an important step into decolonization and towards its independance.

In the not so distant past, the villages of Davos and Biirgenstock were the scenes of other important negotiations involving Turkey.

In the 1980's, Turkish and Greek leaders boosted confidence into their bilateral relations after their meetings in Davos. That was later referred as the "spirit of Davos".

The village of Biirgenstock near Lucerne, will be remembered as the place where in 2004 the "Annan Plan for Cyprus" was accepted. This plan illuminated once again hopes for a fresh start in the Republic of Cyprus.

Switzerland continues to be a major place for multilateral contacts where Turkish diplomacy deploys its negotiating. . skills, in the footsteps of numerous previous occasions.

74 Turgut Ozal, Prime Minister of Turkey with Klaus Schwab, President and founder of the World Economic Forum (Davos, January 1986)

T he Turkish and Greek Prime lviinisters, 0 zal and Papandre u's meetings in D avos sparkled the "Spirit of Davos"thateased bilateral tensions in the late 1980s.

In 2002, the Turkish and G reek Foreign Ministers Cem and Papandreott continued on thts road and launched exploratory bilateral talks on the margins of the lf:7orld Economic Forttm

75 Ismail Cem, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister at the World Economic Forum (Davos,January 2001)

Ali Babacan, Minister of Foreign Affairs participated several times to the World Economic Forum (Davos, January 2008) 76 Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister and Kofi Annan, Secretary- General of the United Nations

Photographies taken during the negotiations leading to the agreement of the Annan Plan on Cyprus (Burgensrock, 2004)

77 The residence of the Turkish Ambassador

78 E n trance hall

Salon on the ground floor

79 Salon on the ground floor

Dinner room

80 View form the garden

View from the North facade

81 Paintings in the Residence

Between 1928 and 1934, paintings of well-known dominate their drawings. (:alli and his colleagues gave Turkish painters such as Ibrahim (:alli (1880-1960) and prominence to reproducing what they saw, rather than Hikmet Onat (1882-1977) were acquired by the Turkish giving a personal interpretation of what they perceived. Legation in Bern and displayed in the residence of the No longer did these painters confine themselves to Ambassador. They reflect the Turkish painting history. landscapes of Istanbul, but broadened their scope to include subjects such as rural life, social events and In the nineteenth century, a handful of painters were nudes. The thick brush strokes and flickering light sent to study in Western Europe. In parallel, an effects which characterize the paintings of these artists institution offering a comprehensive education in fine reveal an approach close to impressionism. arts was opened in 1883, the Academy of Fine Arts, with Ottoman artists such as Osman Hamdi producing Paintings in the residence, such as "Vase on cloth with quality work. motives" (1935) by Ibrahim (:alli, Hikmet Onat's "Village" (1928), "Hamlet with " (1938), "from At the end of the century, Istanbul was to become a true the outskirts of Beylerbeyi" (1963) but also ~evket Dag's center of art. Exhibitions began to play a significant part "Jug" (1929) reflect this period in the development of in cultural life. Foreign painters living in Turkey such as Turkish painting. Guillemet or Aivazovsky as well as local painters held

exhibitions. From 1885, the Academy of Fine Arts Examples of later contemporary Turkish paintings in began to hold annual exhibitions of works by its the residence include one of Hikmet Onat's students, students. All these activities had a very significant impact Needer Kalay's (1932-1986), Adil Doganc;ay (1900-1990), and introduced movements to Turkish art. Eren Eyiiboglu (1907-1988) and others.

Artists who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts were sent to Western Europe to continue their studies. After the Young Turk revolution, a group of young painters went in 1914 to Paris. Hikmet Onat and Ibrahim (:alli were among this group. Their stay in Paris lasted 4 years. Back in Istanbul, they founded an Association of Ottoman painters and rapidly organised an exposition. They were not influenced by the rather academic formation they received in Paris. They were rather fascinated by impressionism. (:alli was the leading name in the group of new emerging painters. His generation is characterised by the use of colours, which

82 Painting by ibrahim <:;:alli.

Vase on cloth with motives (1935)

68 X 62 cm

83 Painting by Hikmet Onat

From the outskirts of Beylerbeyi (Istanbul)

60 X 72 cm, 1963

84 Painting by Hikmet Onat

Village

35 X 45 cm, 1928

85 Painting by ~evket Dag

"] ug" (1929) X 45 cm, 1928

86 Chancery building

With the increase of staff, the villa which was used both as Chancery and Residence of the Ambassador was not in a position to meet space requirements anymore. Various sections started in the 1960's renting offi ces in downtown Bern.

In November 1962, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a commission of experts to report on the best way to find new space for offic es. In 1965, it was decided to build a new chancery building in the garden of the residence. Construction started in 1969 and was completed in 1970. The chancery occupies an area of

? 292m-. All offices moved on 1 June 1970 to the new Chancery building and the villa became solely the residence of the Ambassador.

87 Staff of the Embassy. In the center, Ambassador Alev K.ILIC,: and Mrs. Perin KILIC:: (Taken during the Turkish National Day, 29 October 2005)

88 From left to right: Ambassador Alev K.ILI(,:, Mrs. Perin K.ILI(,:, Mrs Birsen GYGER, Ambassador Walter GYGER (Ambassador of Switzerland to Turkey) Architect of the residence of the Ambassador of Turkey: Karl Albert Gerster

Gerster (1864-1935) was born in Bern. He studied in Basel and Germany. After working in various architect offices in such places as Mainz and Winterthur, he opened his own firm in Bern. Among his works are: Reitschule (1895-1897), Loeb department store (1910-1914 and rebuilt in 1928), Bristol Hotel (1912),Gurten­ Kulm Hotel (1899-1901 ). He was a defender of neo-renaissance and neo-baroque rather than modern styles. Among his works in the vicinity of the Turkish residence, lay the following buildings, all used nowadays as Residences or Chancelleries:

Beatusstrasse 24: Embassy of the Republic of . A villa in the style of the early 1900's. It was constructed in 1911 -1912. The first owner was the representative of the German armament firm Krupp. In the early 1920's the villa was purchased by the private banker Eduard Otto von Buren. In 1940, the charge d'affaires of the Republic of Ireland rented the villa to be used as both chancery and residence of the Embassy of Ireland.

Brunnadernrain 31: Residence of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. It was the first building designed by Gerster for use as a diplomatic mission in Bern. It was constructed in 1912-1914 and used as both chancery and residence between 1914-1926. Since 1926 it has been solely a residence. Between 1946 and 1953, there was no German diplomatic mission to Switzerland and the building was used by the Legation of Great Britain as residence.

Brunnadernrain 37 /37a: Chancery of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Villa built in new baroque style, as sumptuous private residence for the ophthalmologist D r. Edwin Mende.

Elfenstrasse 20: Residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. Constructed in new baroque style as private residence for Karl \Y/. F. Fellenberg von Muller, industrialist in Eisenberg (Germany). The building was leased in 1912-1913 by the Legation of Great Britain as chancery and residence. In turn the Legation of (the Kingdom of) Romania leased the villa as chancery and residence until 1919. Since 1920 Poland has been leasing the villa fo r its Legation (both chancery and residence). Around 1927 it was acquired by the Republic of Poland. The Legation used the villa until 1966 for both chancery and residence.

Kalcheggweg 10: Chancery of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to Switzerland. This villa in the "Bernese Campagne style" was one of the last works by Gerster. It was built in 1932-1933 for the "Burger" \Vilhelm Rufenacht, partner in a department store (Rufenacht & Heuberger). In 1955, it was purchased by the Legation of the Peoples Republic as chancery and residence. Until the early 1990's both chancery and residence were at this villa.

90 . Short sy nopsis on K alcheggw eg w here lies the residence of the Ambass ador of Turkey

The residence is situated in the South East portion of the city of Bern in the K..irchenfeld-Brunnadern area, where many embassies and residences are situated. It was built on a property, which was previously part of a farm called "Kalcheggut" and whose history goes as far back as the 13th century. "Kalchegg" means limestone which suggests that sources of limestone existed previously in the area.

The Kalcheggut roughly covered the area from the present Kalcheggweg 10 (chancer y of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China) to 24 (chancer y of the Embassy of the Kingdom of ) and from the present Lombachweg 23 to 35.

Hans Steiger (1519-1581) bought the Kalcheggut in 1580. He was a descendant of a patrician family. As

"Schulthess" (mayor) of Bern, he was the highest political representant of the state of Bern. In the 1 gth and 19th centuries, the Kalcheggut got temporarily out of the ownership of the Von Steiger family. The owner was the

family Manuel, which is another patrician family. In the 18th century, a villa was built at Kalcheggweg 8. In 1895, Ludwig Bernhard von Steiger (1861-1934) bought the Kalcheggut and named "Mont" in memory of his ancestor and "Schultheiss" Hans, who as one of the richest burghers of Bern had owned among others the seigniory of

Mont-sur-Rolle, in today's canton of Vaud which was between the 16th and 18th century under Bernese domination.

In the years 1896-1917, the family von Steiger divided the Kalcheggut and sold some of the parcels. It kept the villa at Kalcheggweg 8 which was restored by architect Henry Berthold von Fischer. In 1916, the farm house, located on the ridge of the present Kalcheggweg 10-12 (residence of the Embassy of the Federation of Nigeria) was torn down.

In 1896, a villa was built at Kalcheggweg 14 for one the sons of the family, Friedrich Robert Franz von Steiger. In 1906, another son, Traugott Franz Konrad von Steiger built a villa at the present Lombachweg 35. in 1899, two villas were built at Kalcheegweg 20 and 22. In 1907, the residence of the Ambassador of Turkey was built a Kalcheggweg 18. The following villas were built in the following years: in 1916, at Kalcheggweg 12; in 1932- 1933, at Kalcheggweg 1 O; in 1938, Kalcheggweg 24.

91 Fikret Ozdoganc1 - A First Secretary of the Embassy

Fikret ~efik Ozdoganc1 (1893-1985) worked at the Turkish Legation in Bern as First Secretary from 1934-1939. After ending his post in Bern, he served as Consul in Damascus (1940-1941) and General Consul in Paris (1942-1946). During his difficult task in Paris during World War II, he helped Turkish Jews escape the Nazi camps. His daughter Mina Ozdoganc1 has sent us photos from that period and the following lines in which she recollects her memories of the years in Bern with her father:

Fikret Ozdoganc1 wi th his wife Nushet "Between the tenures of Nlinisters Taray and Mente~, my father in the garden of the residence was Charge d'Affaires during nearly 5 months and at that time, we resided in the residence. The residence was a very nice building. The garden was immense, open in the middle with a lot of trees on both sides. There were strawberry trees sending fresh scents all over. We were wandering around the garden on bike. There was a big magnificent tree by the corner of the building where the music room stood. Squirrels were coming and eating nuts from our hands. The chancery was on the upper floor. In 1936, when Vasfi Mente~ and his charming wife Fatma Mente~ arrived, they immediately redecorated the villa. All furniture was sparkling and shiny. They organized many receptions and dancing balls. I was

l\ilinister Vas fi J\Ientq with his wife watching these parties behind the magnificent mahogany wooden (front door of the residence) stairs together with the children of the Minister, who were my close friends. The most enjoyable events were the lunches organized on Republic Day. All Turkish students in Switzerland were attending and we, children were able to join in."

Turkish students at a reception (garden of the residence) Fikret O zdogands da ughter Mina on her bicycle (garden of the residence)

92 Remembering

Ambassador of Turkey in Switzerland from 1960 to 1963,

Zeki Kuneralp was educated in Bern from the age of 10 to the age of 26. His mother worked in the Turkish legation in Bern for more than 10 years. Zeki Kuneralp attended the Giimligen pnmary school and the cantonal lycee (Gymnasium) of Bern. In 1938, he received a doctorate of law with the highest honour from the Faculty of Law of the . In 1939, he returned to Turkey and entered the Foreign Service. His first Ambassadorial nomination was to Switzerland.

His two sons which attended schools in Bern, one entered the diplomatic service (Ambassador Selim Kuneralp), the other (Sinan) is a historian and publisher (ISIS). During their stay in Bern, they had regular contacts with Alexandre

Hay, who was the grandchild of Trachsler, first owner of Kuneralp on his way to present his letters of credentials the Residence building and who was later chairman of the to the Queen (London, 1964) ICRC.

Bcirirndcwi~s,::J;o Zeki Kuneralp later served as Ambassador in London and ainsu:ahrtW§weise Dis,l0Ettaftctt11sttltt.t1.cbe Z.c•ll !,:n. nr. jH r, Zc,kl JS:: ll I\ I'!' l'l ! L', S<·1l i·I Ti\t,!'h ncuet tllt'kl~chrr Du1!.d1[((1('r 111 •l"f Srhwch, rtnd s!l'lt 1tlwr 1n !3rrn 7\1 ll<'1l1 1 vQU Anftm~ 011 hl'l· ml•~h fi\hlcn. nml wQr mil H,r,i ')"1r,ch 1. Vt!'l'.!b<; I Madrid. He is the only diplomat to have served twice as ittlth 1kt1 rr-11:n 1111nr Wurt1•ti, ckn ll,..1u:-1,<:: nlHtl· lf'!\ t•l•W~ 111•~ 1<.hw~1~~rl,:d1cr Sl!'hl lmlnPr hln cxoth<'11e-11 s:n:11t·s l''lr ~ld1 .1.u h11hell: lk, 1<11- 1wn11p tf•tkllL 11rrnn lrnm r1,,r 11N111J!ilwl~I' Z.r•i.1 n:1('\l J~rn. 1,n '-<'In<" il lullrr nnrt1 ih:m Cruiien Tolle ~\"lm•i. va,t'IS nn rler d:u,rn\\r.rn 11\fl.1).tben Go· ~:tmlliwlwit ;n\Jf'ik\,•. Et h('rnchle wlih\•(!tid tinC3 During his term in Spain, his wife, Neda was killed in a .l11h1'•''i die P 1· J ma!'~(' h u I 1• in Gl\ml•Jit-11. drmn (111~ J>ii,:;ynrn;>~i11m 1m,\ '},hllMr,lkh d.i, s1;1 ,11. Gym n ~ , I tt m. Filr f'ln ,}Ahr W('\llt 1lc1· j11ng(' Stu,le n l ,lan>.uf iii P,r1~. 11n1 m"•hh.-r S"HI•' j\11'1· terrorist attack. During his retirement days, he liked calling ~!l.sclwn /'slHlh111K ~l-'1Hrlt1 •. JlJi11~ 11\d1r Lu1iwli; Uh!1111d ~('in,> g.:i!larrn fulr.~·•><. )),i~!' l,,•i dio~,i n, V<'rJ skh m~nr,lgll<'h 11n('\1 ilun 11111(1r,;h1e, ht [ilr tli·n hf'Hli£:l'll Ii.irk\· ~·l,•n llutsdrn(tt>r hCllt•rl! Erlnncruni;:. T b d ,h,;h(' S!1.1(IC'nl!'11 ,.\o,1 ia drr S1·hwd1. - Zurcher Zeitung. He kept on his desk the picture of one of nnnwutlwh lu l.11\JMll\nt'. Crnf uuhwC"lt ab~olvlert. ~ilf,:]::D:f::i';:::~:::~::';:;, iI;t:.!ff rJ :\1\t \I{::0/?{~::;!if f;1]f~~::;;~};I~~i\1 ,.-h"IH·r f.iml :,.,} In Bern ~cine Coudns w !Nkr. nud, tir1 11l\,:, cli,·•r Br,wle- hlnau~ l'-f ~, nun Au!gn.bc '-""f~<-n\J•<',·l,('d~,·'1c :,;. •l,w,..n;;k<'il,.n l .tr"l A,,l,.·,::,·n ,lo K!Wr\f'1•r,.[)\plfll'l\:llf'1t, llf'I• lJ••­ Zeki Kuneralp passed away in 1998. After his death, his /) \ p ! n 111 JI r> r., ,1,,i1> n i\llfC'u lHall y,.. )'r"· liiPih1 ll<>rnd,-;,1'-'·h mc1,r :11,.1hl<'me n:iht'rv.1brlm:t111 uad ,·er~Uh1illkh ttJ 11 1~ - Swiss friends donated in his memory, money to the victims L1ulH1nk,ri Hl•l hd1l!,m- d1t'11. of the 1999 Marmara earthquake. Article published in the Berner Tagblatt on the occasion of Kuneralp's arrival in Bern as Ambassador

93 List of Head of Missions of the Legation / Embassy

Legation period (1923-19 53)

Start of duty End of duty

Ahmet Rii~tii D emirel, Charge d'Affaire s 5 June 1923 17 June 1924

Refik Birgen, Charge d'Affaires 17 June 1924 23 March 1925

Mehmet Munir Enegiin - Minister 23 March 1925 24 April 1929

Cemal Hiisnii Taray - Minister 31 October 1929 23 March 1936

Vasfi Mente~, Minister 19 August 1936 19 October 1942

Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu - Minister 3 November 1942 30 September 1949

Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu - Minister 29May 1951 18 September 1953

94 Embassy period (1953-2008)

Start of duty Start of duty End of duty

Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu - Ambassador 21 July 1953 13 July 1954

Faik Zihni Akdur, Ambassador 12 October 1954 2 October 1957

Fahrettin Kerim Gi:ikay, Ambassador 30 November 1957 14 July 1960

Zeki Kuneralp, Ambassador 16 August 1960 7

;,erif Adnan Kura!, Ambassador 8 April 1964 4 July 1965

Nejat Kemal Kavur, Ambassador 9 July 1965 26 December 1966

Necmettin Tuncel, Ambassador 27 December 1966 16July 1969

Cemil Va fi , Ambassador 31 July 1969 13 July 1972

Suat Bilge, Ambassador 29 September 1972 26 December 1979

D ogan Tiirkmen, Ambassador 27 December 1979 18 November 1984

Ozdernir Yigit, Ambassador 19 November 1984 3 February 1986

Haydar Salt1k, Ambassador 4 February 1986 28 June 1989

Behic; Hazar, Ambassador 29 June 1989 27 November 1992

Aydm Yegen, Ambassador 28 November 1992 1 December 1993

Kaya Toperi, Ambassador 11 May 1993 20 August 1993

Ergiil Bakay - Charge d'Affaire s 20 August 1993 8 D ecember 1994

Rtza Tiirrnen, Ambassador 9 December 1994 29 September 1996

Taner Baytok, Ambassador 30 September 1996 15 November 1998

Erda! Turner, Ambassador 16 November 1998 1 August 2000

Metin Ornekol, Ambassador 15 August 2000 16 November 2004

Alev K.1.hc;, Ambassador 20 November 2004

95 Tribute to Agathon Aerni

We are much indebted to the late Agathon Aerni, an initiator of this book as well as its co-writer until his sudden death in August 2006.

As a citizen of Bern and a distinguished member of the consular

community\ he introduced us to the history of the Turkish residence and encouraged us to write its history.

Thanks to his initiative and enthusiasm, we undertook the very interesting quest for the former owners and past occupants of the residence, built one hundred and one years ago, in the same vein, aiming to reflect through it the history of the diplomatic relations between Turkey and Switzerland established in 1923.

We had the difficult task of finishing this book without his help and advice. Paying respect to his memory, I would like to thank Mrs Meieli Aerni-Vifian for her energising support to our endeavour.

1 Mr Aerni was H onorary Consul of Trinadad & Tobago and Dean of the Consular Corps

96 Sources and Picture credits

Sources Sinan Kuneralp, "D' a Zeki Kuneralp: itineraire helvetique d'une famille rurque" in Revue Suisse d'Histoire, Vol. 52, 2002, Nr. 3, pages 302-308, published by Societe Suisse d'Histoire

Archives Magazines:

Archives of the Embassy of Turkey in Bern La Patrie Suisse, No. 762, No. 779, (Lausanne Peace Conference), Geneve, 1922 & 1923

Swiss Federal Archives E 2001 (B) 22 T 36 (freaty of Friendship) E 2001 (B) 4/9 (Document B 15/ 11-FN) Picture credits E 2001 (B) 56.21 (Lausanne Peace Conference)

E 2200.11.1.22 (Visit by Inonii to President Scheurer)

The photographs of this book were supplied by Anadolu Ajans1 Documents Diplomatiques Suisses, www.dodis.ch, (pp. 17, 18, 24, 25, 63-67, 73, 74-75), the Presidency of the Documents DoDiS-8718 & DoDiS-9306 Republic of Turkey (p. 21), the Ertegiin family (pp. 31, 44-45), the Trachsler family (Eliane Hay) (pp. 46-50), the library of the UN in Archives of the Canton of Bern (6-2-9 / #235840) Geneva (p. 54), the Montreux Palace Hotel (pp. 55-56), the Embassy of Switzerland in Ankara (p. 68), the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey (p. 69), Mina Ozdoganc1 (p. 90) or taken Books: by Onur Oz~eri (pp. 19, 22, 23, 29, 30, 70, 71, 81, 82-83, 84, 85), Ertugrul Durgal (pp. 77-79), Christian Schwager (p. 85), Cerni[ Bilal N. Sim~ir, "Bizim Diplomatlar", Bilgi Yayrnevi, Ankara, 1996 Baysal (p. 86) and Ate§ Ozgen (front cover). Abdurrahman

Bilal N. Sim~ir, "Atatiirk ve Yabanc1 Devlet Ba~kanlan", Cilt III, Tiirk Antakyah, Nott Caviezel, Aykut Ktl1~, Urs Beer and Mehmet Tarih Kurumu, Ankara, 2001 Tannsever have also helped us supplying pictures of this book.

Bilal N. Sim~ir, "Lozan Telgraflar I", "Tiirk Diplomatik Belgelerinde Lozan Ban~ Konferans1", Cilt II, 1922-1923, Tiirk Tarih Kurumu, Ankara, 1990-1994

Claude Altermatt, "Two cenruries of Switzerland's Diplomatic Posts Abroad", Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Bern, 1998

D1~i§leri Bakanl.!gi 1967 Ytlltgi, Di§i§leri Bakanl.!gi, 1968

Jiirg Schweizer, "Kirchenfeld und Brunnadern in Bern", Schweizerische Kunstfiihrer, Gesellschaft fur Schweizerische Kuntsgeschichte, Basel, 198, 2., erweiterte Auflage, Bern 1991

Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu, "Zoraki Diplomat", Ileti§im Yayrnlan, Istanbul, 1984

Zeki Kunerap, "Just a Diplomat, The ISIS Press, Istanbul, 1992

Articles:

Dr. Yiicel Gii~lii, "Turkey's entrance into the League of Nations", in Middle Eastern Srudies, Vol. 39, No. 1, January 2003, pages 186-206 (published by Frank Cass, London)

97