"As Much As You And Others May Deny, Armenian Genocide Is Fact Of History," Catholicos Aram I Says In Response To Erdogan's Remarks

Antelias, Lebanon, Noyan Tapan, December 7, 2004. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, recently inaugurated the first museum in Turkey to be dedicated to the Armenian people. On this occasion he said that the museum would refute the accusation that Turkey perpetrated genocide against the Armenians. "Instead of looking at facts, people have distorted history through suppositions and misinformation", said Erdogan. He promised to protect the rights of the Armenians living in Turkey. He said: "As the Prime Minister of this country, it is my duty to protect the rights of these citizens".

According to the Press Office of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in response to Erdogan's remarks, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, said: "Mr. Erdogan, before you speak of so called "assumptions" and "misinformation", you should visit the "Cilicia Museum" of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Lebanon. At that museum you would see irrefutable evidence of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks. The remains of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Armenian people rescued from Cilicia speak for themselves. You would see manuscripts, church vessels, and other articles of spiritual value, that the Armenians of Adana, Zeytoun, Hajen, Sis, and other places in Cilicia and Western Armenia saved as they fled the horrors of massacre. All these precious remains of our spiritual heritage reached Antelias via Deir Zor. No one who sees these remains would talk of "assumptions" and "distortion" of facts. They are clear evidence of Turkish barbarism. Shouldn't you ask why these are currently in Antelias? Are they there by coincidence? Moreover, Mr. Prime Minister, before speaking of "falsification" and "misinformation", you should also visit the relics of our martyrs that lie in a monument not far from the Museum. Perhaps you would ask yourself, where did these human remains come from?

History is based on clear facts and not assumptions. As much as you and others may deny, the Armenian Genocide is a fact of history. Mr. Erdogan, you consider it your duty to protect "the rights of the Armenians living in Turkey". However, as Prime Minister, shouldn't you admit the guilt of your ancestors, their well-planned and executed Genocide? You cannot deny your history. Next year will be the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. Armenian communities all over the world will demand with one voice the recognition of the Genocide perpetrated by Turkey and will ask for their Human Rights thus far denied", concluded Catholicos Aram I.