Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country might shut down Incirlik Air Base, which hosts US nuclear heads, in response to a threat by the states to impose sanctions on Ankara, and after the Senate recognized what is called the Armenian genocide 100 years ago.
During an interview with a local TV channel, Erdogan stressed that his country could take steps to respond to the United States in the Armenian case, while reminding France of its colonial record and its involvement in "massacres."
The Turkish president said that "if it is necessary to take such a step, then of course we have the authority, if necessary, we will close Incirlik when necessary."
He added that Turkey could also shut down the "Korjic Radar" base if necessary. "If they threaten us with the imposition of these sanctions, we will, of course, respond," he said.
Erdogan emphasized that the US Senate resolution regarding the alleged Armenian genocide is a purely political step that has no weight.
He pointed out that the polarization in the domestic policy in the United States reflected negatively on Turkey.
And he clarified that some American entities are taking advantage of developments related to Turkey to weaken President Donald Trump.
He stressed that the Senate’s decision is inconsistent with the spirit of the alliance between Turkey and the United States, and is inconsistent with the understanding signed between the two countries on October 17 about the Syrian issue.
He stressed that Turkey will not stand idly by while the United States is taking measures against it, noting that American officials are insufficiently aware of the Armenian issue.
Turkish Army Archive
In this regard, Erdogan stressed that Turkey opens the archives of its armed forces, which includes more than a million documents, to historians and jurists in order to learn the truth.
It is noteworthy that the US Senate last Thursday adopted a draft resolution that considers the events of 1915 a genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman forces.
Erdogan did not rule out the possibility of the Turkish parliament adopting decisions in response to the US Senate.
"Can't we talk about the issue of the American Indians in the United States? ... the history of the American Indians is a disgrace in the forehead of the United States," he added.
He wondered: Is it possible to ignore the massacres committed by the French in Rwanda and Algeria?
He pointed out that the French traded slaves in Senegal. He added that "we have documents in our archives on these facts, and we will be in these documents in case of attack instead of defense."