Erdogan: We Do Not Accept The Accusation Of So-called Armenian Genocide

RABAT - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, ''Turkey does not accept the accusation of so-called Armenian genocide. Documents refutes such slanders.''
Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently paying a state visit to Morocco, held a news conference on the last day of his tour of North Africa.
When asked, ''what does the United States wants from Turkey about the Incirlik Air Base? Some circles have connected the United States' request for use of the Air Base with approval of a resolution about so-called Armenian genocide by the U.S. congress. What do you think about it?'' Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''as a democratic, secular and social state of law, Turkey will continue supporting its ally under the structure of NATO and under the United Nations humanitarian relief efforts. However, it is impossible to meet all requests every time. We do not have any problem about principles. In the meantime, we will regret any attempts to relate it to so-called Armenian genocide. The U.S. parliament has never done such a thing, and I believe that it will not do so in the future.''
Recalling that Turkey had opened its state archives in an effort to enlighten the facts, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''the United States should also take action by charging historians and jurists to make a detailed research. Because, decisions we make do not concern only one country. These decisions should not affect the other countries.''
''Turkey has never cherished any resentment or hatred against Armenia. We declared that we have opened our state archives, and called for a research. However, they rejected our proposal. Their baseless slanders are totally unacceptable. Turkey does not accept the accusation of so-called Armenian genocide since documents refutes such slanders. Turkey will make a decision soon, and inform all countries approving resolutions to recognize so-called Armenian genocide,'' he said.
-RESIGNATIONS FROM AKP-
Upon a question about resignations from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''such resignations will not affect our stable policy. We will continue implementing our government program with the same determination. I do not want to discuss reasons of deputies to resign. It was their own political decision.''
-NEW TCK-
Replying to a question about the government's decision to delay implementation of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''we asked all relevant institutions and organizations to explain their views about the draft TCK during the preparatory process. Some of them did not make any contribution while some others delayed it. Then, they started criticizing the legislation. During the latest meeting of Council of Ministers, we decided to postpone implementation of the TCK with the aim of removing deficiencies. I believe that we will need 45-60 days.''