CNN-Turk: vote for return of Christian churches is “America’s slap in Turkey's face”July 21, 2011 - 16:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Just a few hours ago, Armenian community of America won a battle for justice. The House Foreign Affairs Committee despite heavy attacks from the Turkish Lobby, voted 43 to 1 to press Turkey to return Armenian and other Christian churches. “We won this landmark victory in the face of years of Turkish lies about its supposed "tolerance," and despite its token conversion of a few ancient churches, like Akhtamar, into tourist museums,” Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian said. According to Mr. Hachikian, Turkish government even tried to justify its confiscation of so-called "disused" churches by blaming Christians for abandoning them, entirely ignoring that thousands of parishes were destroyed through pre-meditated mass murder. “Our overwhelming victory has set off a firestorm in Turkey. CNN-Turk broke the news by calling it "an American slap in Turkey's face." The truth, of course, is, that it was simply a stand for freedom,” ANCA press service quoted him as saying. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |