During the interview with Aravot.am Verjihan Ziflioglu, a journalist and a writer from the Armenian minority of Istanbul, referring to the conflict of the Patriarchate of Constantinople said that Patriarchate is unique for being not only a spiritual throne but also a place for politics.
Verjihan believes that the problem has nothing to do with the general vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, archbishop Aram Ateshyan, and whoever was in his place would do the same. The journalist believes that the issue should be considered in another context, taking into account all the holes, including the murder of Hrant Dink, Armenian Patriarch Mesrob disease etc. In Verjihan Ziflioghlu’s words, the problem has not commenced with Aleshyan but, figuratively speaking, it has led to a fire, and since 1996 everything should be observed in the context of major changes among the Armenians in Istanbul. While talking about changes our interviewee turned to the Armenian MPs in Turkish Government.
“They became MP of the Armenian minority while becoming an MP in Turkey. They are not representatives of Armenian people, they are MPs of Turkey, but act on the contrary: sometimes they do extreme things that could be a danger to the Armenians.” Virjihane also confirms that the views of Armenia and Armenia and the Diaspora have been directed to the Armenians of Istanbul after Hrant Dink’s murder, and there is a kind of populism. “In the past, Armenians of Istanbul were referred as Turkish, today to Istanbul has become a place of populism whereas one should be attentive, “incorporate” the Armenians in Istanbul. Sometimes strange supports may harm the Armenians of Istanbul. In fact, Armenians in Istanbul from rich and middle classes have been already migrated.”
Gohar HAKOBYAN
