Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Feb 4 2005

Erdogan Criticizes Cypriots and Armenians

While meeting French Parliament Speaker Jean Louis Debre, Prime
Minister Erdogan criticized Cyprus over the failure of the
UN-initiated referendum. Answering Jean Louis Debre’s questions about
Cyprus, Erdogan recalled that Turkish Cypriots had voted in favor of
the Kofi Annan settlement plan but also highlighted the fact that it
was the Greeks who rejected it.

The premier said “We are constantly asked about what will happen in
Cyprus next. Why should we pay the price of a mistake that wasn’t
actually caused by us?”

On the subject of Armenians, Erdogan told Debre that Turkey has
opened its archives about Armenians but that there will be no
improvements in the situation until Armenians decide to collaborate
on the issue, which they are presently refusing to do.

Source: Hurriyet, 4 February 2005