«Our Main Goal is to Cooperate with Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and Study its Experience in Protection of National Rights,» – Members of Ahiska Turks Delegation

15 October 2012

On October 15, 2012 the Leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev met with the delegation of Ahiska Turks in the office of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. The delegation was headed by the Chairman of the International society of Meskhetian Turks “Vatan” Zhavit Aliev and the President of the Public Center of the US Ahiska Turks Islam Shakhbandarov. The delegation also included the Head of the Public Center of the US Ahiska Turks Sarvar Ismailov and Khalid Muradov.

The meeting was also attended by the First Vice-Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov and Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of Mejlis Ali Hamzin.

One of the main goals of the visit of the representatives of the delegation of the Public Center of the US Ahiska Turks was the desire to take part in the convention of the representatives of the deported peoples of the USSR that will be held in 2013 in Crimea in compliance with the Memorandum, ratified between Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and the Association of the repressed peoples of Russia.

The US guests noted that they suggest establishing the acting international organization for the protection and revival of the rights of the deported peoples on the basis of this convention that will include Crimean Tatars, Meskhetian Turks, Karachais, Bolkars, Chechens, Kalmyks and other peoples. “Our main goal is to cooperate with Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, to adopt your experience on the protection of the national rights,”- the members of Ahiska Turks delegation underscored.

During the meeting Mustafa Jemilev inquired about the number of Meskhetian Turks, living in the US. According to Islom Shakhbandarov today the number of Ahiska Turks comprises around 17000 persons – those who already received the US citizenship. They mainly live in three US states – Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri. According to him the special programs will start soon and according to the rough estimation the natural increase of the population will comprise 6-7 thousand persons.

Islom Shakhbandarov told that Meskhetian Turks treated very well in the US – the Government makes everything for the people to develop adequately.

He also noted that they also made good and trustful relations with many politicians, Congressmen and many of them support Turkey and Meskhetian Turks.

Islom Shakhbandarov also told that recently the Muslim cemetery was opened in the US, maintained by the Public Center of Ahiska Turks. The problem of the national education has been solving as well – the Government open schools and pre-school institution.

During the meeting Islom bey invited Mejlis’ leaders to take part in the event that will be held in the US on October 30, 2012. It will be attended by the representatives of the US Turkic peoples and foreign guests.

In his turn Refat Chubarov on behalf of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people invited all the guests to the presentation of the film, titled “Qirimoglu… Combat of One People”, shot by the Turkish TV channel about the Leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev and about the combat of the Crimean Tatar people for the return to its historical homeland.