IT WOULD BE IMMORAL TO EXPECT ARMENIANS TO THANK TURKEY FOR ARMENIAN
MONUMENT’S GOOD CONDITION, HAYK DEMOYAN SAYS
YEREVAN, MARCH 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Opening of Surb Khach Church on
Akhtamar Island, which is one of the values of Armenian cultural
heritage, unfortunately, has turned into a PR action. Hayk Demoyan,
Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, stated this at the
March 23 press conference. In his words, "this humanitarian cultural
action" is unequivocally considered by Turkey as a step of
counteracting to the international recognition of Armenian Genocide
and its goal is to change international public opinion in favor of
Turkey. "Opening of Surb Khach Church proceeds first of all from
Turkey’s political, secondly, from economic interests, as Lake Van and
Akhtamar will become a center of intensive tourism," H. Demoyan
said. In his words, in this case he means a single action, as the
Turkish side has not declared officially that it has a complex program
aimed at restoration of another half-destroyed monuments in its
territory. "It is immoral to expect us to thank Turkish government for
the good state of Armenian monument. Turkey is the country, which
should be called for liability for entirely exterminating medieval
civilization and heritage," H. Demoyan stated. As regards Armenian
delegation’s participation in the official opening of Surb Khach
Church, the scientist said that he does not wish to express his
opinion, whether it is right to go or not. At the same time, H.
Demoyan said that "perhaps, it would be right to have an exact
formulation about this issue before going or not going."