ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF ISTANBUL CONSIDERS BOTH SIDES RESPONSIBLE FOR 1915 GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. French President
Jacques Chirac’s expression "Turkey must recognize the Armenian
Genocide for membership to the European Union," may be a "political
precept." Archnishop Mesrob Moutafian, the Armenian Patriarch of
Istanbul expressed this opinion to the Turkish "Hurriet" newspaper.
According to Marmara, the Patriarch said: "If even Chirac’s words are
interpreted as a precondition for Turkey, one must not forget that
Louis Michel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium decisively
said that one must not put new political standards before Turkey for
membership to the European Union. Probably, the President of France
considered proper to address a political precept to Turkey. We, as
Armenians of Turkey, would prefer that the President of France made
such statements that an atmosphere of dialogue was created between
Armenia and Turkey. Untill an atmosphere of dialogue is not created
between the two countries, it is impossible to expect solution of
the existing difficult problems."
The Istanbul Armenian Patriarch made statements on this theme to the
"Geo" periodical as well, which is published in German and Turkish.
He, particularly, stated that both sides are responsible for events
of the past. "If Armenians did not lead separative, and Turks –
Ittihat policy, at least 10 mln Armenians would live in Turkey today.
Turkey would win a lot with that population. It can’t be helped, both
Turks and Armenians lost this possibility," Patriarch Moutafian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
