VATICAN REACTS TO ARMENIAN MONASTERY DESECRATION

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Sept 6 2005

A decision by the Turkish occupation regime to grant a “license” to
operate a recreation centre in the Armenian Monastery of Surb Makar
(Saint Makarios) in the Halefka area, north of the Turkish occupied
village of Kythrea, has spurred a strong reaction by the Vatican.

Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today that
the government totally agreed with the Vatican’s reaction, noting
that it was after moves by the government that the desecration of
the monastery had come to the attention of the Vatican.

The Spokesman noted that “various protests were made and there has
been a reaction on behalf of the Vatican, which says and stresses
in its verbal note that the attention of the competent Turkish
authorities has been drawn to the specific case, as well as other
lamentable incidences.”

Chrysostomides added that this was “a severe response, which is not
customary on behalf of the Vatican, and the language used is also
stern against the occupation authorities.”

“We totally agree and it is after actions by the government that the
desecration of the monastery has come to the attention of the Vatican,”
the Spokesman pointed out.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress