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ARMENIAN CHURCH IN ISTANBUL PREVENTS ARMENIANS' UNITY?
news.am
June 12, 2012 | 00:04
ISTANBUL. - Constantinople Armenians had certain rights on national,
religious, political meetings in the Ottoman Empire, however, their
rights ceased as soon as the empire collapsed and current Republic
of Turkey emerged.
Only Patriarchate has remained and whole power is in its hands, Agos
newspaper editor-in-chief Rober Koptaž told Armenian and Turkish
journalists.
"Turkey will become more democratic if the Armenian community can
express will and resume former agencies. However, as the Patriarchate
does not support the idea, Armenians face with difficulties. They
have to settle two major problems, including unsettled issues with
Turkey and issues inside the community. All these complicate the
organizational skills inside the community and prevent Armenians from
being presented in Turkey as one united ethnic group," he said.
In response to Armenian News-NEWS.am question what prevents influential
representatives of the community to take up the issue and establish a
civil structure, Koptaž said that those people are used to act behind
closed doors and not to be liable to the community.
news.am
June 12, 2012 | 00:04
ISTANBUL. - Constantinople Armenians had certain rights on national,
religious, political meetings in the Ottoman Empire, however, their
rights ceased as soon as the empire collapsed and current Republic
of Turkey emerged.
Only Patriarchate has remained and whole power is in its hands, Agos
newspaper editor-in-chief Rober Koptaž told Armenian and Turkish
journalists.
"Turkey will become more democratic if the Armenian community can
express will and resume former agencies. However, as the Patriarchate
does not support the idea, Armenians face with difficulties. They
have to settle two major problems, including unsettled issues with
Turkey and issues inside the community. All these complicate the
organizational skills inside the community and prevent Armenians from
being presented in Turkey as one united ethnic group," he said.
In response to Armenian News-NEWS.am question what prevents influential
representatives of the community to take up the issue and establish a
civil structure, Koptaž said that those people are used to act behind
closed doors and not to be liable to the community.