Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
April 21 2006

Armenian Patriarch: Blaming Only the Turks Unethical in Armenian Issue

By Kemalettin CANIM

KAYSERI (JTW) Istanbul Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan II said the
dilemma facing Turkish-Armenian relations can only be overcome by
dialogue and mutual respect, and no one should blame only the one
side. According to Mutafyan II, both Armenians and Turks had
responsibility in the tragedy of 1915 and before.

The Armenian Patriarch Mutafyan II also argued that the both sides
are repeating the same arguments and it is the time to break the
vicious circles. `We need a new perspective’ he added.

Reflecting the true nature of reality requires courage, said
Mutafyan. “In the unfortunate conclusion reached, it is unethical
attitude for both parties to ignore each other’s responsibility or to
completely put it on the other side.”

Both nations must be able to look at each other’s history without
prejudice, he added. “We have to change the mentality of degrading
the other.”

On Thursday, the Patriarch made a speech at the opening ceremony of a
symposium titled “The Art of Co-Existence in Ottoman Society: The
Case of Turkish-Armenian Relations” organized by Erciyes University
in the Turkish city of Kayseri.
Both countries have achieved important successes in historic social
and cultural fields; the respect of Armenians and Turks for each
other’s national and religious symbols is increasing, according to
Mutafyan.

Mutafyan said the incidents that occur during representative
independence celebrations are outdated, and maintained they sow seeds
of enmity.

“Instead of publishing books presenting the Turkish and Armenian
theses in different ways memorized by everyone, Turkish and English
translations of Armenian works that can make important contributions
in Turkish-Armenian relationships must be realized,” Mutafyan said.
Mutafyan, highlighting Turks and Armenians are people of the same
territory, said the expression, “The Turks and Kurds are essential
elements,” is discriminatory.

Calling himself a Republican child, Patriarch criticized the
understanding of secularism.
“The practice of ‘Jacobean secularism’ in our country sometimes
prevents Islam’s ethical dimensions and spiritual richness of meaning
from being adding to the analyses,” Mutafyan said.

The Armenian Patriarch called on Turks and Armenians to abandon the
narrow horizon of nationalism and said, “Replacing nationalism and
racism with hospitality is more appropriate to our ethical values.”

The symposium, where 125 academics from more than 40 universities
within and outside Turkey participated, will continue today as well.

Kemalettin CANIM
JTW, Hurriyet and Zaman