Turkish PM: Statement in London on deportation of illegal Armenians from Turkey intended to attract international community’s attention

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/