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WIKILEAKS ON HRANT DINK'S CONVERSATIONS WITH US OFFICIALS
news.am
Sept 12 2011
Armenia
WikiLeaks website published a cable presenting excerpts from
conversations of chief editor of Armenian Agos newspaper Hrant Dink
with U.S. officials. In particular, the cable classified by U.S.
Consul General in Istanbul Deborah Jones discloses the details of
Dink's meeting with the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom in Istanbul.
Speaking of ethnic minorities and religious affairs in Turkey Hrant
Dink said on the surface there is religious freedom churches, schools
and ability to worship are unrestricted; but this type of freedom
is misleading.
"It is like a bird which in theory is free to fly, except that it
has broken wings," he added.
He also commented on Turkey's joining the European Union stressing
that "the EU accession process is based on fear, not willingness,
which explains why it is going so slowly."
"I can honestly say that as a Christian living in the Muslim world I
am very lucky in comparison. Historically, negative moments are not
based on religion but rather nationalism," Dink said. Hrant Dink,
chief editor of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish Agos newspaper, was
killed near his office in Istanbul on January 19, 2007 by Turkish
ultranationalist Ogun Samast.
news.am
Sept 12 2011
Armenia
WikiLeaks website published a cable presenting excerpts from
conversations of chief editor of Armenian Agos newspaper Hrant Dink
with U.S. officials. In particular, the cable classified by U.S.
Consul General in Istanbul Deborah Jones discloses the details of
Dink's meeting with the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom in Istanbul.
Speaking of ethnic minorities and religious affairs in Turkey Hrant
Dink said on the surface there is religious freedom churches, schools
and ability to worship are unrestricted; but this type of freedom
is misleading.
"It is like a bird which in theory is free to fly, except that it
has broken wings," he added.
He also commented on Turkey's joining the European Union stressing
that "the EU accession process is based on fear, not willingness,
which explains why it is going so slowly."
"I can honestly say that as a Christian living in the Muslim world I
am very lucky in comparison. Historically, negative moments are not
based on religion but rather nationalism," Dink said. Hrant Dink,
chief editor of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish Agos newspaper, was
killed near his office in Istanbul on January 19, 2007 by Turkish
ultranationalist Ogun Samast.