MONUMENT SPECIALISTS WITNESSED ANNIHILATION OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN TURKEY
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 3, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The other day in the neighborhood of
Aghtamar Island, Van, an expedition group of monument specialists
witnessed several scenes of puling down and ruining Armenian
cross-stones and temples, head of the expedition group Samvel
Karapetyan said today at a meeting with journalists. "After several
years there will not be even remain from Armenian monuments. The
horrible scenes we witnessed were its evidence," Mr. Karapetyan said.
According to him, the expedition group (16 members) visited Saint
Tovma, Shakhura temples, walked around in Divabuyn and Inkyoy villages
and other regions, which used to be Armenian settlements. What the
expedition group saw in Shakhura and temple of Divabuyn, according to
Mr. Karapetyan, deeply shocked them. "A group of half Kurd-half Turk
people who were in dusty clothes and equipped with spades presented
themselves as guards. There were small bits of cross-stones everywhere,
and an enormous gulf was dug in the temple," the monument specialist
said, adding that there were tents of gourds in the neighborhood,
ensured with food and warm clothes, which proved about non-interrupted
work at night hours.
"Seeing us they got confused. Understanding that we do not have
translator of the Kurdish language, they started speaking exclusively
Kurdish" Mr. Karapetyan noted. In his opinion, these activities could
hardly be used with disagreement of the community head, which means
that there is state sponsorship.
"The cross-stones with Armenian protocols were turned into small bits;
they even expected to find "Armenian gold" in them. Returning Mr.
Karapetyan immediately formed a report and presented to the Armenian
Culture Ministry, as the group had succeeded to implement certain
screenings. "I think the government will make use of those screenings
and photos as evidence when need be," Mr. Karapetyan said.
From: A. Papazian
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 3, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The other day in the neighborhood of
Aghtamar Island, Van, an expedition group of monument specialists
witnessed several scenes of puling down and ruining Armenian
cross-stones and temples, head of the expedition group Samvel
Karapetyan said today at a meeting with journalists. "After several
years there will not be even remain from Armenian monuments. The
horrible scenes we witnessed were its evidence," Mr. Karapetyan said.
According to him, the expedition group (16 members) visited Saint
Tovma, Shakhura temples, walked around in Divabuyn and Inkyoy villages
and other regions, which used to be Armenian settlements. What the
expedition group saw in Shakhura and temple of Divabuyn, according to
Mr. Karapetyan, deeply shocked them. "A group of half Kurd-half Turk
people who were in dusty clothes and equipped with spades presented
themselves as guards. There were small bits of cross-stones everywhere,
and an enormous gulf was dug in the temple," the monument specialist
said, adding that there were tents of gourds in the neighborhood,
ensured with food and warm clothes, which proved about non-interrupted
work at night hours.
"Seeing us they got confused. Understanding that we do not have
translator of the Kurdish language, they started speaking exclusively
Kurdish" Mr. Karapetyan noted. In his opinion, these activities could
hardly be used with disagreement of the community head, which means
that there is state sponsorship.
"The cross-stones with Armenian protocols were turned into small bits;
they even expected to find "Armenian gold" in them. Returning Mr.
Karapetyan immediately formed a report and presented to the Armenian
Culture Ministry, as the group had succeeded to implement certain
screenings. "I think the government will make use of those screenings
and photos as evidence when need be," Mr. Karapetyan said.
From: A. Papazian