Today, Azerbaijan
March 20 2010
Turkish PM: Statement in London on deportation of illegal Armenians
from Turkey intended to attract international community’s attention
20 March 2010 [18:40] – Today.Az
The statement in London was made in order to attract the attention of
the international community to Armenians illegally residing in Turkey
and the Turkish Government’s human approach to this fact, Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Istanbul during a meeting
with Turkish art workers, CNN TV Turk reported.
Turkish Prime Minister once again criticized the distortion of his
words regarding the expulsion of 100,000 Armenians illegally residing
in Turkey, saying that it is in any case does not affect the Turkish
citizens of Armenian nationality.
"Those who indiscriminately accept vague decisions [recognition of
so-called "Armenian genocide"] in parliaments should see that so far,
Turkey has approached the issue of Armenians illegally residing in
Turkey humanely. One should not take [in parliaments] decisions, on
which they have no information, and not interfere in Turkey’s
relations with its neighbors," Erdogan said.
March 19, at a meeting of the ruling party "Justice and Development"
Erdogan said his statement made in an interview to BBC was distorted.
"My words about the deportation of illegal Armenians were distorted
and were perceived as the deportation of Armenians from Turkey, even
those who have Turkish nationality," Erdogan said at a meeting of the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). "Unfortunately, the news
was spread without regard that I was referring to Armenians illegally
living in the country and not all Armenians in Turkey."
Erdogan confirmed Turkey’s commitment to continue to solve the issue
of illegal immigrants humanely during his speech March 20, however, he
said that his country will not keep silent if the issue "affects
Turkey’s honor".
"So far, we haven’t refereed false facts of the Armenian Diaspora to
the position of all the Armenian people and the Armenians. Armenian
Diaspora has never acted in favor of Armenia and the Armenian people,"
Erdogan said.
Erdogan made these statements as Ankara’s reply to adoption of
resolution recognizing the so-called "Armenian genocide" in the
Ottoman Empire at the several countries’ parliaments.
After the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of
Representatives adopted the "Armenian resolution" March 4 and the
Parliament of Sweden March 11, Turkey has recalled its ambassadors in
Washington and Stockholm for consultations.
"170,000 ethnic Armenians reside in my country, with 70,000 holding
Turkish nationality. If necessary, I will say that one hundred
thousand to leave our country. I’ll do it, because they are not my
citizens, and I am not obliged to keep them in my own country,"
Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan’s statement caused a strong reply among the Armenian migrants
residing in Turkey.
Armenians illegally residing in Turkey accused the Armenian lobby and
the Armenian Government, which does not create any opportunity for
improving Armenian people’s living conditions.
/Trend News/
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