A few days before 70th anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars, Vladimir Putin met with the members of Crimean Tatar community.

Speaking to those present, he said:

"We are meeting just before the anniversary of what is a mournful and tragic date, but one that we cannot ignore: on May 18-20, 1944, NKVD [The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs] troops carried out the inhuman act of deporting an entire people from the Crimea.

As you know, not only the Crimean Tatar people suffered during this time of repression. Of all the peoples who were affected, Russians unquestionably paid the highest price. The repressions began back in the 1920s and 1930s, first against the Cossacks and clergymen, then it was the turn of the so-called ‘kulaks’ [wealthier peasants], and then repression spread to all political opponents of the regime at that time.

In the Crimean Tatars’ case, the Crimean Tatar people perhaps suffered more than others in that they were able to return to their native lands later than the other minorities deported during Stalin’s repressions."

He also said: "I want to make it clear that the federal and regional authorities, and the local authorities too, I am sure, are ready to work with absolutely everyone who sincerely – and I stress this word – sincerely wants people to start living better lives on their own native soil.

But we cannot under any circumstances allow the Crimean Tatars to be used as pawns in disputes and debates, including above all disputes between states."

Russian President reaffirmed his position on Crimean Tatar leaders who refuse to acknowledge the political changes that occurred in Crimea in the last few months: "I understand that there are people who, we need to recognise, have done a lot for the Crimean Tatars and have fought for their rights for decades. But we all need to realise that the Crimean Tatars’ interests today are bound to Russia, and you cannot use the Crimean Tatar issue to defend the interests of other countries. This would not be to the Crimean Tatars’ benefit. Let me assure you that we will do everything we can to ensure that you feel genuinely and completely at home in your own land."

President expressed his interest of the Russian state in solving all problems that have arisen in the course of the last decades, and expressed his hope for understanding and cooperation.

The meeting with President Putin was attended by the acting head of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, head of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea V. Konstantinov, members of political party Milli Firka, chairman of the republican committee on international affairs and deported citizens Zaur Smirnov.

Source: http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/7189