Erdogan encourages use of science against racist campaigns

Speaking at a gathering of the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that those who were disturbed by Turkey's continuously growing economic, political and diplomatic power and stability were trying to pressure Turkey through various methods. "We should make use of the guidance of science, knowledge and experience in the face of terrorism issue and incidents of 1915 which are used as a tool by some countries to pressure Turkey.  The momentary reactions and temporary solutions will not yield results. We have to look at a multidimensional and long-term perspective and create sound, effective and enduring solutions," Erdogan said. Stating that we should and we do make use of not only security measures, but also sociology, psychology, economy and diplomacy in the fight against terrorism, Erdogan said that we would only respond with documents, information, archives and the language and method of science in the face of illegal, malevolent, racist and separatist and campaigns. "We will take into consideration not parliamentary votes, but books, archives and scientific research. We will also share with the worldwide public our counter-theses which are based on solid foundations. As we have been witnessing recently, populist politicians, racist and separatist exploiters would replace the space which is emptied by science.  We won't let this happen. We will act patiently and reply to all allegations and accusations with documents and information," Erdogan said.