TURKS RESTORE ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN THEIR OWN WAY

ISTANBUL, JULY 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Official circles and
media of Turkey announce continuously about starting restoration of
historic and cultural monuments of the country receintly. Within the
framework of that PR company, authorities of Turkey organized a number
of events, including a visit to Aghtamar Island of representatives of
Embassies of a number of countries accredited in Istanbul. The goal of
the visit was to show European diplomates how Turks restore the Surb
Khach Church of the island. According to Panorama.am, some time has
passed since the “works” started here, and all that can be seen at the
church, saying calmly, arises indignation: tombstones of Armenian
clergymen are replaced, a part of them is broken. All left from the
gravestones is massed. The floor of the church is covered with 20
centimetres of concrete layer preparing foundation for revetment.

According to eye-witnesses, historic monuments closely neighboring the
church were also damaged during creating a constuction site. According
to the present information, authorities of Turkey envisage to spend
about 1.5ml US dollars for the restoration of the Surb Khach Church.

The client of the works is the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of
Turkey. And works are carried out with the usage of such “modern”
construction materials as black oil is.