ARMENIAN CO-PATRIARCHATE CANDIDATE CULCIYAN IN ISTANBUL

BIA Net
Feb 15 2010
Turkey

Co-patriarchate candidate Sebuy Culciyan visited Istanbul in the
run-up to the elections. Culciyan called for brotherhood and said that
murdered journalist Hrant Dink’s message of dialogue and communication
is being conveyed beyond his death.

15 February 2010, Monday Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop of Gougark
Sebuh Culciyan visited Istanbul in the run-up to the election for
co-patriarchate in coming May. Culciyan said, "The way which was
opened by Hrant Dink is a bridge for communication between our two
countries. We should support this approach and strengthen it".

Culiyan, who came to Turkey for talks with the Armenian community,
mentioned that as a religious person he did not want to meddle with
politics at all. "I want to set up a warm and fruitful dialogue. I
see that there is no trust between upper level politicians of Turkey
and Armenia, but there is trust between the people. People of both
countries come together frequently anyways", Culciyan said.

"They killed Hrant, but could they silence him?"

Culciyan conveyed the prevailing opinion in Armenia that the murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was related to the deep state.

"Who can deceive anybody? Let’s wish that Hrant Dink was the last
loss on behalf of democracy and an open society. Nobody can silence
his message because others continue spreading his message".

Hrant’s dream came true Culciyan, who did not have the opportunity
to visit journalist Dink’s grave before, considered it important that
"Hrant Dink’s dream has come true".

During the journalist’s visit to Armenia in 1999, Culciyan took him
to a summer camp built for children at Vanadzor in the county of Lori.

Dink said to him "This was what I dreamt of. You have made my dream
come true".

Both men grew up in the same neighbourhood of Malatya Up to 200
children enjoy education and entertainment in the summer camp every
season. Dink and Culciyan shared more than the camp project: they both
grew up in the same neighbourhood of the south-eastern city of Malatya.

"Let the children love each other. Tomorrow’s youth will have a better
understanding of brotherhood. It was Hrant’s and my dream to invite
50 children from Turkey to the camp and make 50 Armenian children
meet other children in Istanbul".

Culciyan pointed out that there are problems not having been dealt
with or overcome for centuries. He said that the Armenian governments
did not really understand the Armenians’ problems in Turkey before:
"They did not understand the lives we are leading here. They thought
that everything would be finished once the was closed. Meanwhile,
Armenian media can convey a more open approach".

Replying to a question related to a protocol that is pending to
be signed between the two countries Culciayan said, "It seems as
if both countries do not believe what they have achieved till the
present. The problem will be solved more easily if the governments
make a move for the people".