ERDOGAN SLAMS PARLIAMENTS FOR RECOGNIZING ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’

news.az
April 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkey will never take irresponsible decisions
on its history,’ PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a television address
on 31 March, CNN-Turk reports.

‘We have repeatedly stated and we state today that Turkey is open
to any political and historical discussions but when attempts are
made to impose upon us historical events that did not take place,
then we express our resentment. Unfortunately, some countries attempt
to speak in the language of pressure with the support of their lobby.

‘But as before, we say today that this way of talking to us does
not conform to diplomatic etiquette or justice. These countries put
events that occurred a century ago on the agenda again and again,
though these issues have nothing to do with either the United States
or Sweden. If you ask the deputies of these countries about the 1915
events, hardly any of them will give a reasonable response.

‘Then why take such decisions that challenge relations between
countries? I consider all these decisions irresponsible. The US
Congress House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the resolution on
these events by one vote. Who has given you the right to accuse a
whole nation of non-existent events? These are historical issues. Let
historians argue about it. Turkey has opened all its archives and
called on Armenia and third countries to do the same and together look
at what happened at that time. No one can groundlessly accuse Turkey,
because it is none of their business. Let Turkey and Armenia settle
their issues themselves,’ Erdogan said.

‘Turkey coexists well with all neighbouring countries. I do not
rule out the possible restoration of relations with Armenia, but the
interference of third countries in this process just hampers these
ties,’ he said.