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 Monday, June 27 2016 12:13

Marianna Mkrtchyan

Turkey's foreign ministry reacts to Pope Francis' visit to Armenia

Turkey

Turkey's foreign ministry made a statement related to Pope Francis' visit to Armenia and particularly to "Tsitsernakaberd" memorial complex. 

"During his trip to Armenia on 24-26 June 2016, Pope Francis visited the so-called genocide memorial, made unfortunate statements regarding the 1915 events, signed together with the Armenian Apostolic Church a Common Declaration which makes unacceptable references to the events of 1915 and on his way back alluded to statements proved to be fictitious and defamatory. Such acts revealed once again his unconditional commitment to the Armenian narrative on the events of 1915, which is incompatible with historical facts and law", the statement of the Turkey's foreign ministry reads. 

At the same time the foreign ministry emphasized that Pope Francis, just as he did last year, left Turkey and the Turkish people frustrated. 

"Thus, discrimination on the basis of religion was once again made between sufferings and losses in the course of the First World War. Indeed, the statements made before the visit, as well as the preparations of the visit had established the fact that this visit was already exploited. 

Pope Francis' partiality towards historical events, as well as his alienation of the Other, correspond neither with his efforts towards settlement of peace and friendship among different groups as he constantly emphasizes, nor with the Press Release issued on 3 February 2016 by the Press Office of the Holy See as regard to the events of 1915 which highlights our proposal of a Joint Historical Commission and condemns terrorism with reference to the memory of Taha Car?m, the late Turkish Ambassador to Holy See who was martyred in 1977 by ASALA-affiliated terrorism. 

To note, Pope Francis during his in- flight press conference when leaving Armenia touched on the Armenian-Turkish relations. He noted that in his greeting remarks the Armenian President made clear and brave calls to come to an agreement, forgive each other and look ahead. "This is great bravery for the people, who have suffered so much," he said.
When speaking of the annihilation of Armenians, Argentina has always used the word "genocide". Pope Francis noted that a cross-stone to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide was erected at the cathedral in Buenos Aires. "I have known no other word. When I came to Rome, I heard another word combination - "Big Evil" and I was told that the word "genocide" is humiliating. But I have always spoken of three genocides that happened last century: The Armenian Genocide, the genocide by Hitler and the genocide by Stalin," he said.     

He also stressed that last year, when he was preparing for commemorative events at St.  Peter's Basilica, he saw that John Paul II used the word "genocide". So, Pope Francis cited the words of John Paul II. This caused a negative reaction of Turkey. "The Turkish Government made a statement, recalled its ambassador to Ankara, and the latter returned to Vatican a few months ago," the Pope said.

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