Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07YEREVAN409
2007-04-05 11:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
HOLY CROSS OPENING - ARMENIA MORE POSITIVE AS THINGS COOL
how-toVZCZCXRO5837 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHYE #0409/01 0951116 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051116Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5231 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0302 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1240
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 000409
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/PPD AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OPRC KMDR KPAO AM
SUBJECT: HOLY CROSS OPENING - ARMENIA MORE POSITIVE AS THINGS COOL
DOWN
REF: A) YEREVAN 386 B) ADANA 47
YEREVAN 00000409 001.2 OF 002
(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 000409
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/PPD AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OPRC KMDR KPAO AM
SUBJECT: HOLY CROSS OPENING - ARMENIA MORE POSITIVE AS THINGS COOL
DOWN
REF: A) YEREVAN 386 B) ADANA 47
YEREVAN 00000409 001.2 OF 002
(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Following local media criticism of Turkey's decision to
reopen the ancient Armenian Holy Cross Church as a museum (refs),
the GOAM delegation that took part in the ceremony tried to focus on
the positive aspects of the renovation. During a press conference,
Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjyan defended the government's
decision to send a delegation to the opening and talked about the
importance of maintaining a dialogue with Turkey. Turkish press has
reported that the GOAM agreed to restore a mosque in Armenia,
however, the seriousness of the agreement is unclear. End Summary.
--------------
MUTUAL TRUST VITAL
--------------
2. (SBU) Following their return from Turkey, members of the Armenian
delegation held a press conference April 2. Deputy Minister of
Culture Gyurjyan, who led the delegation, insisted that Armenia's
participation in the reopening had been essential to help reduce
tension between Armenia and Turkey, and to encourage the
preservation of other Armenian monuments in Turkey. He emphasized
the need for dialogue between the countries, and the importance of
building mutual trust: "Today we don't trust each other ... that is
why when Iran hangs its flag on an Armenian church, we do not
complain; because there is trust. But when the same thing is done
in Turkey, in accordance with their law, we are resentful."
-------------- --------------
RECONSTRUCTION - A GREAT ACHIEVMENT, MOTIVES ASIDE
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) The delegation said it was satisfied with the quality of
the renovation, and noted that, even though the church had been
reopened as a museum, Turkey's efforts saved it from complete
destruction. Gyurjyan said Armenia should welcome such projects,
even if they are used by the Turks for political purposes. The
deputy minister also defended Patriarch Mutafyan (ref A),saying
that he addressed all the important issues that needed to be
discussed in his speech, including organizing services and placing a
cross on the building. Gyurjyan also said he believed those two
issues likely would be resolved. He concluded that there was no
need for the Armenian delegation to speak as well.
--------------
FUTURE PROJECTS TOGETHER - IN TURKEY
--------------
4. (SBU) The delegation highlighted the necessity of maintaining
good relations between the two countries so that Armenian experts
could play a role in future restoration projects in Turkey. They
reported that Turkey had already established a five-year project,
beginning in 2008, to reconstruct the ruins of the ancient Armenian
capital of Ani. According to Gyurjyan, both sides would benefit if
Armenians provided their expertise for such projects. The
delegation noted that Armenians and Turks would continue discussing
reconstruction projects when the manager of the project to renovate
Holy Cross visits Armenia this summer.
--------------
... AND IN ARMENIA
--------------
5. (SBU) Turkish press reported that Armenia promised to restore a
mosque on its territory in response to Turkey's restoration of Holy
Cross. The Armenian media have not yet reported this development.
The State Agency for Monument Protection told us Gyurjyan invited
Turkey to select a mosque in Armenia for restoration, but an MFA
official told us that the subject had been raised by Turkish media
during a press conference, and that Gyurjyan had said, "Sure, why
not." According to the Ministry of Culture, in addition to a fully
restored Iranian mosque in downtown Yerevan, there are at least two
mosques in villages in the regions.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) The Armenian delegation's balanced comments, though not
YEREVAN 00000409 002.2 OF 002
necessarily demonstrative of goodwill towards Turkey, at least show
a reluctance on the part of the government to antagonize the GOT.
The delegation's remarks also had a positive effect on Armenian
public opinion concerning the opening and future Turkish-Armenian
cooperation, counterbalancing the initially negative reporting in
the Armenian press.
GODFREY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/PPD AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OPRC KMDR KPAO AM
SUBJECT: HOLY CROSS OPENING - ARMENIA MORE POSITIVE AS THINGS COOL
DOWN
REF: A) YEREVAN 386 B) ADANA 47
YEREVAN 00000409 001.2 OF 002
(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Following local media criticism of Turkey's decision to
reopen the ancient Armenian Holy Cross Church as a museum (refs),
the GOAM delegation that took part in the ceremony tried to focus on
the positive aspects of the renovation. During a press conference,
Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjyan defended the government's
decision to send a delegation to the opening and talked about the
importance of maintaining a dialogue with Turkey. Turkish press has
reported that the GOAM agreed to restore a mosque in Armenia,
however, the seriousness of the agreement is unclear. End Summary.
--------------
MUTUAL TRUST VITAL
--------------
2. (SBU) Following their return from Turkey, members of the Armenian
delegation held a press conference April 2. Deputy Minister of
Culture Gyurjyan, who led the delegation, insisted that Armenia's
participation in the reopening had been essential to help reduce
tension between Armenia and Turkey, and to encourage the
preservation of other Armenian monuments in Turkey. He emphasized
the need for dialogue between the countries, and the importance of
building mutual trust: "Today we don't trust each other ... that is
why when Iran hangs its flag on an Armenian church, we do not
complain; because there is trust. But when the same thing is done
in Turkey, in accordance with their law, we are resentful."
-------------- --------------
RECONSTRUCTION - A GREAT ACHIEVMENT, MOTIVES ASIDE
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) The delegation said it was satisfied with the quality of
the renovation, and noted that, even though the church had been
reopened as a museum, Turkey's efforts saved it from complete
destruction. Gyurjyan said Armenia should welcome such projects,
even if they are used by the Turks for political purposes. The
deputy minister also defended Patriarch Mutafyan (ref A),saying
that he addressed all the important issues that needed to be
discussed in his speech, including organizing services and placing a
cross on the building. Gyurjyan also said he believed those two
issues likely would be resolved. He concluded that there was no
need for the Armenian delegation to speak as well.
--------------
FUTURE PROJECTS TOGETHER - IN TURKEY
--------------
4. (SBU) The delegation highlighted the necessity of maintaining
good relations between the two countries so that Armenian experts
could play a role in future restoration projects in Turkey. They
reported that Turkey had already established a five-year project,
beginning in 2008, to reconstruct the ruins of the ancient Armenian
capital of Ani. According to Gyurjyan, both sides would benefit if
Armenians provided their expertise for such projects. The
delegation noted that Armenians and Turks would continue discussing
reconstruction projects when the manager of the project to renovate
Holy Cross visits Armenia this summer.
--------------
... AND IN ARMENIA
--------------
5. (SBU) Turkish press reported that Armenia promised to restore a
mosque on its territory in response to Turkey's restoration of Holy
Cross. The Armenian media have not yet reported this development.
The State Agency for Monument Protection told us Gyurjyan invited
Turkey to select a mosque in Armenia for restoration, but an MFA
official told us that the subject had been raised by Turkish media
during a press conference, and that Gyurjyan had said, "Sure, why
not." According to the Ministry of Culture, in addition to a fully
restored Iranian mosque in downtown Yerevan, there are at least two
mosques in villages in the regions.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) The Armenian delegation's balanced comments, though not
YEREVAN 00000409 002.2 OF 002
necessarily demonstrative of goodwill towards Turkey, at least show
a reluctance on the part of the government to antagonize the GOT.
The delegation's remarks also had a positive effect on Armenian
public opinion concerning the opening and future Turkish-Armenian
cooperation, counterbalancing the initially negative reporting in
the Armenian press.
GODFREY