Catholicos Aram I replies to Erdogan’s statements

Yerkir/arm
07.12.2004  15:38    

YERE VAN (YERKIR) – The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
recently inaugurated the first museum in Turkey to be dedicated to
the Armenian people. On this occasion he said that the museum would
refute the accusation that Turkey perpetrated a genocide against
the Armenians.

“Instead of looking at facts, people have distorted history through
suppositions and misinformation”, said Erdogan. He promised to protect
the rights of the Armenians living in Turkey. He said: “As the Prime
Minister of this country, it is my duty to protect the rights of
these citizens”.

In response to Mr. Erdogan’s remarks, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, said:

“Mr. Erdogan, before you speak of so called “assumptions” and
“misinformation”, you should visit the “Cilicia Museum” of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in Lebanon. At that museum you would see
irrefutable evidence of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks. The
remains of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Armenian
people rescued from Cilicia speak for themselves. You would see
manuscripts, church vessels, and other articles of spiritual value,
that the Armenians of Adana, Zeytoun, Hajen, Sis, and other places
in Cilicia and Western Armenia saved as they fled the horrors of
massacre. All these precious remains of our spiritual heritage reached
Antelias via Deir Zor. No one who sees these remains would talk of
“assumptions” and “distortion” of facts. They are clear evidence
of Turkish barbarism. Shouldn’t you ask why these are currently in
Antelias? Are they there by coincidence?

Moreover, Mr. Prime Minister, before speaking of “falsification” and
“misinformation”, you should also visit the relics of our martyrs
that lie in a monument not far from the Museum. Perhaps you would
ask yourself, where did these human remains come from..?

History is based on clear facts and not assumptions. As much as you
and others may deny, the Armenian Genocide is a fact of history.

Mr. Erdogan you consider it your duty to protect “the rights of the
Armenians living in Turkey”. However, as Prime Minister, shouldn’t you
admit the guilt of your ancestors, their well-planned and executed
Genocide? You cannot deny your history. Nest year will be the 90th
anniversary of the Genocide. Armenian communities all over the world
will demand with one voice the recognition of the Genocide perpetrated
by Turkey and will ask for their Human Rights thus far denied”,
concluded Catholicos Aram I.

–Boundary_(ID_b2k+9lBr4HVDxRhfBkTdRw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress