Photos of Akhtamar to be shown to US Congressmen

10.03.2007
Today's Zaman
Ecan Yavuz
Ankara

The article below says that Turkey will show the Congress that it is making efforts to protect Armenian historical and cultural monuments but it is not going to be a productive move by Turkey because it will highlight the contrast in view of "Akhtamar was lucky to avoid the fate of churches in Mush and Kars which were transformed into mosques "here and "On the eve of World War I, there were scores of medieval Armenian churches within 20 km of Akhtamar Island alone, and practically none of them remain standing today. Most of them have been completely destroyed during the life of the Turkish Republic. Today grave diggers enjoy a free hand looting these localities while Turkish state authorities continue to turn a blind eye to these acts of desecration." here.

Turkey has increased its efforts to counter a Armenian genocide resolution that is scheduled to be heard in the US House of Representatives in April.

A Turkish delegation will take photos to the US Congress showing the former and current condition of the Akhtamar Armenian Church in Van.

A photo album recently issued by the Culture and Tourism Ministry on Akhtamar Church will be presented personally by Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Mehmet Dülger during a visit to the US Congress from March 11 to 18.

Dülger said: "I will tell them, 'See, the Turks, whom you accuse of genocide, have renovated an Armenian Church with taxes collected from Turks. And these photos are the evidence.' Also, I will show them a map of Africa and ask them to show me the location of Armenia."

Akhtamar Church will be opened by Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koç on March 15 with participation from prominent artists and art historians from around the world. Culture ministers of all countries that have adopted or will adopt Armenian genocide bills, and senior representatives of the Armenian diaspora are invited to the opening.

The photo album, entitled "Akhtamar Church" and published by Culture and Tourism Ministry Revolving Fund Operations General Directorate, will be distributed at the opening ceremonies. The album contains photos of the church in its former and current conditions. The album will also be distributed worldwide to the groups advocating Armenian genocide claims.

Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.