TURKS CHEATED US THROUGH ARAM ARCHBISHOP ATESHYAN, SAYS TURKOLOGIST

TURKS CHEATED US THROUGH ARAM ARCHBISHOP ATESHYAN, SAYS TURKOLOGISTTert.am06.09.10The decision to open the Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van fora one-off mass later this September was a challenge for Armeniansinitiated by the Turkish propaganda, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan saidat a press conference today.In his words Turkish propaganda is multi-layered and pursues variousaims, and the Armenian side, unfortunately, held very surfacediscussions."We discussed [only] whether or not to go [and attend the mass]. Wedid not get deep into the issue," explained he, adding that Turkey'sargumentation that the cross will not be placed on the dome of thechurch due to technical reasons, is simply a mockery."Can't the large Turkish state place the 200-kg cross? Thisargumentation is the most simplistic and unsuccessful step by theTurkish authorities," said he, explaining that there are some otherserious reasons why Turkey doesn't want to do so.One of the reasons, according to him, is that Turkey is holding aconstitutional referendum on September 12, but the opposition isagainst those constitutional reforms."In so far as there is anti-Christian atmosphere in Turkey, the ratingof the Turkish authorities would drop in the eyes of its people bythe placement of the cross," explained he.The fact that the Mother See of Holly Etchmiadzin decided to sendtwo clergymen to the mass, according to Mr Melkonyan, is a right andrestrained one. But at the same time he mentioned that the Armenianside hurried a little as it did not take into account that one ofthe characteristic features of the Turks is to promise and then denythe promises.Further he said that by that mass the Turks cheated us by usingArchbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Deputy Patriarch of the ArmenianPatriarchate of Constantinople."Turks are presently presenting themselves to the world under a maskof a democrat but in fact they continue to act with the psychologyof the Young Turks," said he, adding that he also concerned aboutthe fact that Sourb Khach has not so far been given a status."The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople had better know thatit will go and serve a mass in a monument-museum that hasn't beenanointed."