Head of Krasnodar regional association of Meskhetian Turks "Vatan": "We are Russian citizens and want to go nowhere!"

The information campaign to familiarize Meskhetian Turks compactly residing in the region with the conditions of their resettlement to the United States as refugees by the program carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been taking place in Krasnodar Territory for the second week already. IOM representatives have already met with members of the Diaspora in fife settlements of the region: Abinsk, Krymsk, the villages of Kholmskaya, Varennikovskaya, and Nizhnekabansky.

According to Sarvar Tedorov, head of the regional association of Meskhetian Turks "Vatan", who attended these meetings, the tone of their holding is rather constructive. People decided long ago whether they wanted to leave or to stay. As a rule, those members of the Diaspora are ready to resettle to the United States who succeeded in graduating from higher school institutions in their time or those who aspire to educate their children since it is hardly possible to do it under present conditions in the Kuban region. However the overwhelming majority of Meskhetian Turks do not feel like leaving. Sarvar Tedorov shares their position.

"The overwhelming majority of Meskhetian Turks consider themselves Russian citizens. Our people have gone through two deportations in 60 years and we don't want to go through the third one. If the Russian government and the administration of Krasnodar Territory continue they Fascist line towards the Turks, we will have to go and it doesn't matter where, to the United States or to some other place," Sarvar says.

10 thousand people are supposed to be able to leave for the US by IOM's program. There have been no official statements yet. The receiving side guarantee that those who wish to leave will get lodging, job placement, an allowance, and, in five years, citizenship. The regional authorities give no comment on the situation, but district administration officials at the places declare their readiness to create necessary conditions for those who want to leave.

Editors note: See also the articles "10,000 Meskhetian Turks from Kuban region to get refugee status in US", "Information campaign on program of Meskhetian Turks' resettlement from Kuban region to US begins".