'If Necessary, We'll Deport Armenians from Turkey': Erdogan

If necessary, Turkey’s authorities can deport Armenians living illegally in Turkey, said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, replying to questions by Huseyin Alkan from the BBC Turkish service in London yesterday.

“There are 170,000 Armenians in my country, of which 70,000 are my citizens. We’re turning a blind eye to the other 100,000. However, tomorrow, if it becomes necessary, I would say to those 100,000, go back to your country. Why? Because they’re not my citizens; I’m not obliged to keep them in my country,” said Erdogan.

The Turkish PM also turned his attention to the passing of resolutions which recognize the Armenian Genocide by various countries around the world, saying that the crisis which results from such decisions will harm Armenia itself.

“None of those interests us. None of those have room between Armenia and Turkey. They’re [just] playing games for themselves. What connection do those countries have with Armenia? Who gave them that responsibility? They, with their approved decisions, are putting on a show… And they’re harming the people of Armenia…,” said Erdogan.

“We resolutely continue and will continue our policy based on the principle of ‘zero issues with neighbours.’ However, when we are showing our hand while the other side is showing a fist, there’s nothing left for us to do. But we will always show our hand in the name of reconciliation and peace, in the name of love. It’s enough that the hand before us doesn’t become a fist…,” said the Turkish PM, while calling for countries who are friendly with Armenia to support the process of normalizing relations between the two states.

Asked whether as a result of the approval of Armenian Genocide resolutions, Turkey’s foreign policy finds itself in a tight bind, Erdogan said, “There are no such issues at this time. Developments connected to Armenia are not our but Armenia’s issues and concerns… And currently, it’s necessary for Armenia to make a very important decision. Armenia has to free itself from its dependence on [its] Diaspora. If there are countries who like Armenia, such as the United States, Russia and France, they should free Armenia from Diasporan dependence.”

Asked whether the US House Foreign Affairs Committee approval of H.Res.252 recognizing the Armenian Genocide will have a negative effect on Turkish-American relations, Erdogan stressed that he continues to believe in and trust the United States.

“I don’t think [the passing of H.Res.252 will affect Turkish-American relations negatively]; that’s not possible. I wish to state the following: Turkish-American relations have no relation whatsoever to Armenian-Turkish relations. We have strategic relations,” said Erdogan.