Turks cheated us through Aram Archbishop Ateshyan, says Turkologist

The decision to open the Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van for a one-off mass later this September was a challenge for Armenians initiated by the Turkish propaganda, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said at a press conference today.

In his words Turkish propaganda is multi-layered and pursues various aims, and the Armenian side, unfortunately, held very surface discussions.

"We discussed [only] whether or not to go [and attend the mass]. We did not get deep into the issue," explained he, adding that Turkey's argumentation that the cross will not be placed on the dome of the church due to technical reasons, is simply a mockery.

"Can't the large Turkish state place the 200-kg cross? This argumentation is the most simplistic and unsuccessful step by the Turkish authorities," said he, explaining that there are some other serious reasons why Turkey doesn't want to do so.

One of the reasons, according to him, is that Turkey is holding a constitutional referendum on September 12, but the opposition is against those constitutional reforms.

"In so far as there is anti-Christian atmosphere in Turkey, the rating of the Turkish authorities would drop in the eyes of its people by the placement of the cross," explained he.

The fact that the Mother See of Holly Etchmiadzin decided to send two clergymen to the mass, according to Mr Melkonyan, is a right and restrained one. But at the same time he mentioned that the Armenian side hurried a little as it did not take into account that one of the characteristic features of the Turks is to promise and then deny the promises.

Further he said that by that mass the Turks cheated us by using Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Deputy Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

"Turks are presently presenting themselves to the world under a mask of a democrat but in fact they continue to act with the psychology of the Young Turks," said he, adding that he also concerned about the fact that Sourb Khach has not so far been given a status.

"The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople had better know that it will go and serve a mass in a monument-museum that hasn't been anointed."