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ARMENIAN IMMIGRANTS' CHILDREN TO ATTEND TURKISH SCHOOLS
news.am
March 25 2010
Armenia
The Turkish authorities are trying to get over the awkward situation
it found itself in after Turkish Premier Recept Erdogan's notorious
statement.
Turkish Vice-Premier Bulent Arınc made a statement on the education
of the illegal Armenian immigrants' children. Premier Erdogan's
meeting with one of the influential members of the Armenian community
Bedros Å~^irinoglu scheduled for March 26 should be considered in
this context.
Bedros Å~^irinoglu also admitted his responsibility for Erdogan's
citing the wrong figures - 100,000 illegal Armenian immigrants in
Turkey. In fact, 70,000 of the Armenians are Turkish citizens, and
only 30,000 are illegal immigrants.
In his interview with Hurriyet, Archbishop Aram Atesyan, the Chairman
of the Religious Council, pointed out that at his meeting with
Vice-Premier Arınc ten days before he had informed him of the problem.
The Turkish Vice-Premier promised his help. Atesyan pointed out his
regret over Erdogan's statement in London, but the Turkish Premier
explained later he had been misunderstood. The Archbishop pointed
out that illegal Armenian immigrants' children in the streets are
not of any benefit to Turkey. Therefore, they must be allowed to
attend schools.
Vice-Premier Arınc pointed out that only Turkish citizens have the
right to attend schools owned by national minorities residing in
Turkey. The Turkish Government, however, believes that Christian
children living in Turkey for various reasons must receive education.
"I consider the problem from a human point of view. An 'illegal
Armenian immigrant in Turkey' is not a problem for us. We allowed
national minorities to open their schools, and the children of people
that arrived here can attend them. I do not see any problem. I
discussed the issue at the Government's sitting. Premier Erdogan
welcomed the idea and issued a relevant instruction to the Minister of
Education. I think progress will be made. The term 'illegal Armenian
children' is not an end in itself for us. Turkey will not sustain
any damage if these children attend our schools," Arınc said.
news.am
March 25 2010
Armenia
The Turkish authorities are trying to get over the awkward situation
it found itself in after Turkish Premier Recept Erdogan's notorious
statement.
Turkish Vice-Premier Bulent Arınc made a statement on the education
of the illegal Armenian immigrants' children. Premier Erdogan's
meeting with one of the influential members of the Armenian community
Bedros Å~^irinoglu scheduled for March 26 should be considered in
this context.
Bedros Å~^irinoglu also admitted his responsibility for Erdogan's
citing the wrong figures - 100,000 illegal Armenian immigrants in
Turkey. In fact, 70,000 of the Armenians are Turkish citizens, and
only 30,000 are illegal immigrants.
In his interview with Hurriyet, Archbishop Aram Atesyan, the Chairman
of the Religious Council, pointed out that at his meeting with
Vice-Premier Arınc ten days before he had informed him of the problem.
The Turkish Vice-Premier promised his help. Atesyan pointed out his
regret over Erdogan's statement in London, but the Turkish Premier
explained later he had been misunderstood. The Archbishop pointed
out that illegal Armenian immigrants' children in the streets are
not of any benefit to Turkey. Therefore, they must be allowed to
attend schools.
Vice-Premier Arınc pointed out that only Turkish citizens have the
right to attend schools owned by national minorities residing in
Turkey. The Turkish Government, however, believes that Christian
children living in Turkey for various reasons must receive education.
"I consider the problem from a human point of view. An 'illegal
Armenian immigrant in Turkey' is not a problem for us. We allowed
national minorities to open their schools, and the children of people
that arrived here can attend them. I do not see any problem. I
discussed the issue at the Government's sitting. Premier Erdogan
welcomed the idea and issued a relevant instruction to the Minister of
Education. I think progress will be made. The term 'illegal Armenian
children' is not an end in itself for us. Turkey will not sustain
any damage if these children attend our schools," Arınc said.