Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Thursday


Agos Editor-In-Chief considers Armenian Patriarchate's statement in
current nationalist atmosphere in Turkey understandable



YEREVAN, JANURY 25, ARMENPRESS. Edward Danzikian, Editor-In-Chiefof
Istanbul’s Armenian Agos newspaper, says in the circumstances of the
current heated nationalist atmosphere in Turkey, the statement of
Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate over the ongoing Turkish military
operations in Syria’s Afrin is understandable.

In an interview with ARMENPRESS, Edward Danzikian commented on the
fact that several members of the Armenian community negatively reacted
to the statement of the Armenian Patriarchate. “At the moment there
are strong nationalists winds in Turkey, and in such circumstances if
any national minority structure makes a statement supporting the
state, the remaining structures as well as feel a duty to do the
same”, Edward Danzikian said.

He stated that they have witnessed a lot of similar statements in
1980-1990, the violence period following the military coup attempt in
Turkey. “In this sense it seems nothing has changed in Turkey. Of
course such statements cannot be supported by everyone, but on the
other hand, we should not forget that even those people are arrested
in Turkey who announce by social media that they do not want war”, he
said, reminding that dozens of people, who opposed Turkey’s military
operations in Afrin, are currently arrested or detained.

“Therefore, it is both incorrect to say that “Armenians support the
Patriarchate’s statement” and make a generalization stating that
“Armenians do not support it”. In such circumstances usually the
Patriarchate has supported the state. But also it’s an undeniable fact
that many consider the Patriarchate’s statement on this topic as
wrong”, Edward Danzikian said.

The Turkish armed forces launched military operations, called Olive
Branch, against the Kurds (PYD) in Syria’s Afrin.

The Armenian Patriarchate issued a statement expressing support to
these operations and adding that they will pray for “peace and calm
the humanity needs so much”.

Official Ankara welcomed the Patriarchate’s statement.