Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Archbishop Barsamian Responds To Ricciardone's Statement

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Archbishop Barsamian Responds To Ricciardone's Statement

    ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN RESPONDS TO RICCIARDONE'S STATEMENT

    Tert.am
    22.08.11

    Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of Diocese of Armenian Church
    of America (Eastern), has sent a letter to US Secretary of State
    Hillary Clinton responding to assertions made by Ambassador Francis
    Ricciardone, President Barack Obama's recess appointment to serve as
    U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.

    Answering a question from New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, Amb.

    Ricciardone had said, "Most of the Christian churches functioning prior
    to 1915 are still operating as churches. Some churches of significance
    operate as museums. The remaining have fallen into disrepair or were
    converted to mosques for lack of use."

    Barsamian said, "Ambassador Ricciardone deeply offended
    Armenian-Americans with his remarks, opening sensitive wounds and
    potentially setting back the gradual process of healing." He added,
    "In all charity, perhaps the Ambassador is simply unaware of certain
    facts. But mastery of the history of a country, its dark as well as
    bright chapters, is essential to serving the United States effectively
    and diplomatically in this important and complex region."

Working...
X