Armenian patriarch lends support to Erdogan's AKP

PanARMENIAN.Net - The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) received support from Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan, the religious leader of the Turkish Armenian community.



Partiarch Mutafyan, speaking to the German weekly Der Spiegel, claimed the Armenian community would prefer the AKP to the social democrat Republican People's Party (CHP).



Speaking about the murder of prominent Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, Mutafyan said the mood of solidarity, evident in the aftermath of the crime, faded away soon and made way for an upsurge of ultra-nationalistic rhetoric among the Turkish society. "We the Armenians were left alone again" he said.



"I do not think that the investigation [on the murder] will move forward, Mutafyan claimed. Apparently those who organized it are backed and protected by some circles.



Mutafyan announced he plans to visit Ankara to hold talks with the chief of the military, claiming there are rumors that the security forces might have some links with those who committed the crime. I will ask him: What do you recommend to the Armenians? What should the Armenians do? said Mutafyan.



It appears that those who want to drive Armenians away from Turkey are strengthening, Mutafyan said. But he also criticized the Armenian Diaspora. "Armenians in the Diaspora do not understand our situation. We cannot deny the bloodshed in 1915 but we have to look to the future and try to promote the dialogue between Turks and Armenians," he said.
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