TURKS SWEEP AWAY ARMENIAN TRACES UNDER THE EXCUSE OF RENOVATION

Panorama.am
15:39 23/08/06

Turkish government plans a big event on the occasion of the renovation
of an Armenian church on Akhtamar Island. It is expected that even
Prime Minister Erdogan will be present at the ceremony.

Samvel Karapetyan, head of an office dealing with the Armenian
architectural monuments, shared his impressions on the Armenian
monuments in Turkey after his recent visit to Western Armenia. In
his words, Turks use the Armenian monuments as military bases.

Under such conditions, it is amazing that Turkey celebrates the
renovation of an Armenian monument with great celebrities. Karapetyan
connects that with Turkish aspirations to be part of Europe.

Karapetyan cast doubts that a cross will be raised on the top of
the church. Even if Turks decide to raise the cross, they will do
so to convince Europe that they are progressive, he said. Karapetyan
doubts that the architectural shape of the church will be preserved. "
Turks massacred Armenians until 1918 and after that sweep away their
traces. How is that possible that they preserve an Armenian church?"
Karapetyan indicated.