MORE HARSH WORDS FROM TURKISH PRIME MINISTER: "IF TURKEY IS HARMED, THOSE AGAINST IT WILL BE HARMED TENFOLD"

MEMRI, DC
Source: Milliyet, Turkey, October 16, 2007
Oct 16 2007

Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his party yesterday,
PM Erdogan lashed at those who supported the Armenian allegations in
the U.S. and elsewhere. He said, "Turkey will not forget their action.

Let them all know that if Turkey is harmed, those against her will
be harmed tenfold. Those who become our enemies cannot recover".

Erdogan said that Turkey is fed up of this Armenian issue. He said,
"Let it be known that the developments in the U.S. have now been
engraved in our people’s memory. Some countries, totally ignoring
Turkey’s objections, have taken the decision to recognize genocide
allegations just to appease handful Armenian citizens. Let no one
expect us to give in to lies and libels that would implicate Turkey
in any way. The fact that countries like the U.S. and France with
which we have close relations beyond being allies took such decisions
brought us to a point where we have to find new ways and methods."

Erdogan added that recent developments on this issue are forcing
the limits of Turkish people’s tolerance. He said that comments
such as ‘Turkey will complain for a couple of days and will forget
on the third day’ and ‘We are talking about Ottomans, why is Turkey
offended?’ are especially offensive and they cross all the lines. He
said that nobody has the right to judge Turkey, without any evidence,
documents or proof.

Erdogan said, "Common sense is leaving its place to petty political
calculations. We too can assume the same attitude towards them. Let
every one be certain of this: If Turkey is harmed, those against her
will be harmed tenfold. It’s up to them to do the right thing or the
wrong thing. If they take one step towards us, we take three towards
them. However those who choose to be our enemies cannot recover.

Countries that expect gestures from us may be left alone with their
problems; and pay the price of being against an important country
like Turkey."