Armenian Catholic bishop from Egypt calls on Turkey to recognize GenocideOctober 14, 2009 - 11:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Armenian Catholic bishop from Egypt, Krikor-Okosdinos Coussa of Alexandria, has called on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide."In 1915, the Ottomans killed the Armenian people in Greater Armenia and Lesser Armenia (Turkey). One and a half million people perished during this genocide," Coussa told a synod of African bishops taking place in Rome. The killings drove the Armenians from Turkey to the Middle East and throughout the world, he noted. "The leaders of the Armenian State and the heads of the Armenian Churches (Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical) are performing an act of public pardon towards the Turks. "We do so while appealing to the Turks to recognize the genocide, to pay homage to the martyrs and to grant Armenians their civil, political and religious rights," Coussa said. In an apparent reference to an agreement signed last weekend between Turkey and Armenia normalizing ties, Coussa stated: "The path of reconciliation between the two States has begun." Armenians protest the accord, saying the normal relations can only be founded on truth and justice. The document signed on Saturday calls for a historical commission to investigate the Armenian Genocide - a fact already acknowledged my historians and genocide scholars, Vatican City press-service reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |