WILL TURKISH AUTHORITIES ALLOW PLACING A CROSS ON AKHTAMAR CHURCH?

ArmRadio.am
29.03.2007 14:30

Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Bilman yesterday confirmed earlier
news reports that the Culture and Tourism Ministry has solicited the
views of the Foreign Ministry on the appropriateness of installing a
cross on the steeple of Akhtamar Church, which will be reopened today,
Turkish "Zaman" informs.

Levent Bilman noted it’s not compulsory to place the cross during the
opening ceremony. "Our ministry is still studying the issue before
offering our viewpoint. As you know, the restoration of historical
buildings is a long-term process," Bilman said. "By its very nature,
the issue will be evaluated in detail and then the Culture and Tourism
Ministry will be notified of our opinion."

The paper reminds that Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan
called on the Turkish Foreign Ministry three days ago to return the
cross to its original place. The letter of the Armenian Patriarch
has been submitted to the consideration of the Turkish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.

The newspaper reminds that an official delegation from Yerevan, as
well as representatives of the Armenian Diaspora will participate in
the opening ceremony.