Armenian Patriarch blames Turkey for poor relations

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Dec 8 2004

The Armenian Patriarch Karekin II said that the genocide issue was
not one that could be debated.

December 8— The Patriarch of the Armenian Church on Wednesday claimed
that Ankara was responsible for lack of formal diplomatic relations
with Yerevan.

Patriarch Karekin II said that this was because Turkey insisted on
setting preliminary conditions for the normalising of the relations.

However, Karekin II said that it was essential to resolve the question
of Ngorno-Karabag region of Azerbaijan and which is currently occupied
by Armenia, and the recognition of the alleged Armenian genocide.

“Undoubtedly in such a climate it is of special importance to open
the border and improve co-operation,” he said.

But he stressed that the issue of genocide was not an issue that
could be the subject of debate.

“This was a real experience, the Patriarch said. “But without any
hesitation I have to say that this problem has to be overcome and
relations between the two nations should be re-established.”

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress