PROTEST ACTIONS IN ISTANBUL DID NOT DARKEN GAREGIN II VISIT
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2006 16:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 39 churches, 17 Armenian schools function in
Istanbul, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II stated upon completion
of his patriarchal visit to Istanbul. "We were glad to see our
compatriots in Istanbul. The 600-year-long history of Constantinople
Patriarchy is preserved," Garegin II said. He emphasized he does
not think statements on the Armenian Genocide can change Turkish
authorities attitude towards the Armenian community of Istanbul.
"We did not express hatred or hostility in our words, we just stated
the truth," the Catholicos said. He said that protest actions in
Istanbul, that the authorities characterized as actions of extremist
groupings, did not darken his visit, reports the Press Service of
Holy Echmiadzin.