Tweet
MUTAFIAN PATRIARCH RECEIVED BY TURKISH ARMED FORCES COMMANDER IN ANKARA
By H. Chaqrian
AZG Armenian Daily
08/06/2007
As Archbishop Mesrob II, Armenian patriarch of Constantinople, had
said in an interview German "Der Spiegel" newspaper, to which "Azg"
referred on June 6 publication, he visited the head of the Turkish
Armed Forces Headquarter, Yasar Buyukanit.
Armenian media of Istanbul report that the meeting lasted for about 90
minutes. After the meeting Mesrob II sated the following: "That was a
very important consultative meeting. I expressed my condolences about
the Turkish servicemen killed recently. I exchanged opinions with the
venerable commander on numerous issues concerning the community. The
head of the Headquarter received me in a warm, frank atmosphere.
He gave me hope and I left his cabinet quite comforted".
In the aforementioned interview the Archbishop had told "Der Sliegel"
that the Armenian community of Turkey shall vote for the ruling
"Justice and Prosperity" party. "The "Justice and Prosperity" party
has less nationalistic approach to the issue of national minorities
than any other. Erdogan's government is rather inclined to yield to
our requirements," he explained.
The latter phrase was alos published on June 4 by "Hurriet", to
which on June 6 responded "Sabah" with an article by Hincal Uluc,
entitled "That Was not Worth of You, Patriarch". "Those words are
inappropriate," says Uluc, "however it be, the speech was bad,
uncouth and disrespectful. Probably the Patriarch knows that Turkey
is a secular state. In such states religion cannot be used as an
instrument of politics. Religious leader cannot speak about politics
on behalf of a community in a secular state.
One even shouldn't in such a hot atmosphere. One must not say
'We Armenians shall vote for this or that party', and if he does,
he commits a shameful act and even a crime. A criminal case shall
be aroused against him immediately. If there is any party which
keeps an eye on eth Armenian community of Istanbul, that is the
National-Republican Party. There is no need to be unthankful.
The Vice-Prefect of Sisl is Armenian. In the absence of Mayor Sarigul,
member of the National-Republican Party, he acts in the latter's
name. Numerous problems concerning Armenian estates and schools
were solved in Sarigul's office term. A great number of events
were organized due to the financial and moral assistance of the
Mayor. Sarigul was the only politician to bee seen participating such
kind of events. How can this be forgotten? And how can one Armenian
say "I will vote for 'Justice and Prosperity'? I think I can demand
explanations of Mesrob II. And let him explain which claims of the
Armenians are supported by Erdogan".
By H. Chaqrian
AZG Armenian Daily
08/06/2007
As Archbishop Mesrob II, Armenian patriarch of Constantinople, had
said in an interview German "Der Spiegel" newspaper, to which "Azg"
referred on June 6 publication, he visited the head of the Turkish
Armed Forces Headquarter, Yasar Buyukanit.
Armenian media of Istanbul report that the meeting lasted for about 90
minutes. After the meeting Mesrob II sated the following: "That was a
very important consultative meeting. I expressed my condolences about
the Turkish servicemen killed recently. I exchanged opinions with the
venerable commander on numerous issues concerning the community. The
head of the Headquarter received me in a warm, frank atmosphere.
He gave me hope and I left his cabinet quite comforted".
In the aforementioned interview the Archbishop had told "Der Sliegel"
that the Armenian community of Turkey shall vote for the ruling
"Justice and Prosperity" party. "The "Justice and Prosperity" party
has less nationalistic approach to the issue of national minorities
than any other. Erdogan's government is rather inclined to yield to
our requirements," he explained.
The latter phrase was alos published on June 4 by "Hurriet", to
which on June 6 responded "Sabah" with an article by Hincal Uluc,
entitled "That Was not Worth of You, Patriarch". "Those words are
inappropriate," says Uluc, "however it be, the speech was bad,
uncouth and disrespectful. Probably the Patriarch knows that Turkey
is a secular state. In such states religion cannot be used as an
instrument of politics. Religious leader cannot speak about politics
on behalf of a community in a secular state.
One even shouldn't in such a hot atmosphere. One must not say
'We Armenians shall vote for this or that party', and if he does,
he commits a shameful act and even a crime. A criminal case shall
be aroused against him immediately. If there is any party which
keeps an eye on eth Armenian community of Istanbul, that is the
National-Republican Party. There is no need to be unthankful.
The Vice-Prefect of Sisl is Armenian. In the absence of Mayor Sarigul,
member of the National-Republican Party, he acts in the latter's
name. Numerous problems concerning Armenian estates and schools
were solved in Sarigul's office term. A great number of events
were organized due to the financial and moral assistance of the
Mayor. Sarigul was the only politician to bee seen participating such
kind of events. How can this be forgotten? And how can one Armenian
say "I will vote for 'Justice and Prosperity'? I think I can demand
explanations of Mesrob II. And let him explain which claims of the
Armenians are supported by Erdogan".