Convention Concerning the Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Greek Government have agreed upon the following provisions:
Articles
[edit]Article 1.
As from the 1st May, 1923, there shall take place a compulsory exchange of Turkish nationals of the Greek Orthodox religion established in Turkish territory, and of Greek nationals of the Muslim religion established in Greek territory.
These persons shall not return to live in Turkey or Greece respectively without the authorization of the Turkish Government or of the Greek Government respectively.
Article 2.
The following persons shall not be included in the exchange provided for in Article 1:
a) The Greek inhabitants of Constantinople
b) The Muslim inhabitants of Western Thrace.
All Greeks who were already established before the 30th October, 1918, within the areas under the Prefecture of the City of Constantinople, as defined by the law of 1912, shall be considered as Greek inhabitants of Constantinople.
All Muslims established in the region to the east of the frontier line laid down in 1913 by the Treaty of Bucharest shall be considered as Muslim inhabitants of Western Thrace.
Article 3.
Those Greeks and Muslims who have already, and since the 18th October, 1912, left the territories the Greek and Turkish inhabitants of which are to be respectively exchanged, shall be considered as included in the exchange provided for in Article 1.
The expression "emigrant" in the present Convention includes all physical and juridical persons who have been obliged to emigrate or have emigrated since the 18th October, 1912.
Article 4.
All able-bodied men belonging to the Greek population, whose families have already left Turkish territory, and who are now detained in Turkey, shall constitute the first installment of Greeks sent to Greece in accordance with the present Convention.
Appendix C
[edit]Kingdom of Greece
General Administration of Thraka
Interior Office
Number of Protocol A1043
Komotene, 27/12/1954
URGENT
TO: The Mayors and Presidents of the Communes of the Prefecture of Rodope.
Following the order of the President of the Government (Prime Minister) we ask you that from now on and in all occasions the terms "Turk-Turkish" are used instead of the terms "Muslim- of Muslim".
The General Administrator
of Thraka
G. Fessopoulos
Kingdom of Greece
General Administration of Thraka
Interior Office
Number of Protocol A202
Komotene, 5/2/1955
In spite of the strict orders of the government to replace the terms "Muslim-of Muslim" and use from now on the terms "Turk-Turkish", in the village Aratos on the public road connecting Komotene and Alexandroupole there exists a very prominent sign with the words "Muslim School".
It, as well as any other such signs that might exist in the area of the Prefecture of Rodope, should be replaced immediately.
The General Administrator
of Thraka
G. Fessopoulos