July 28, 2011 - 15:38 AMT
Armenian monument's issue not as problematic to Turkey as that of Genocide, expert says

To U.S. and, especially, Turkey, the issue of American historic monuments’ reconstruction is not as problematic as that of the Genocide recognition, according to Turkish studies expert.

As Artak Shakaryan told a news conference in Yerevan, Turkey seems to be treating restoration of Armenian historic landmarks as a homework.

“There are few Christians left among Turkey's Armenian population, so I don't expect a major inflow of visitors upon completion of monasteries' reconstruction in Western Armenia. Yet, this is another occasion to remind the international community about the Armenian Genocide”

On July 21, with a vote of 43 to 1, the House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the Berman-Cicilline Amendment, pressing Turkey to return stolen Christian churches and to end its repression of its Christian minority.