US defense chief admires Atatürk

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said yesterday that he admired Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey

, Hürriyet Daily News reports. 

“Well, I'm glad to know my standing is significant in Turkey. I admire the Turks and the government, and Atatürk and I have over the years noted Atatürk in different speeches I've given, not just in Turkey, but the United States. He did something that was very significant that has had a very important sustaining legacy in the world. And sometimes we, we in the West don't fully appreciate what Atatürk did.” Hagel is quoted as saying by the news agency.