Archbishop Barsamian Responds to Ricciardone’s `Deeply Offensive’ Statement
Sat, Aug 20 2011
By:Armenian Weekly
Primate Khajag Barsamian sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton responding to assertions made by Ambassador Francis
Ricciardone, President Barack Obama’s recess appointment to serve as
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.
Primate Khajag Barsamian
Answering a question from New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, Amb.
Ricciardone had said, `Most of the Christian churches functioning
prior to 1915 are still operating as churches. Some churches of
significance operate as museums. The remaining have fallen into
disrepair or were converted to mosques for lack of use.’
Barsamian said, `Ambassador Ricciardone deeply offended
Armenian-Americans with his remarks, opening sensitive wounds and
potentially setting back the gradual process of healing.’ He added,
`In all charity, perhaps the Ambassador is simply unaware of certain
facts. But mastery of the history of a country, its dark as well as
bright chapters, is essential to serving the United States effectively
and diplomatically in this important and complex region.’
The full text of Archbishop Barsamian’s letter to Clinton appears below.
Dear Madame Secretary:
My kind greetings and blessings you, as you continue your service to our nation.
As Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, I
write regarding the statements made by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone,
President Obama’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of
Turkey, during his confirmation hearing.
Please know that we have been generally supportive of the efforts of
the U.S. government to promote a more normal relationship between the
republics of Turkey and Armenia. Likewise, we greatly respect and
appreciate the productive role you personally have played in such
initiatives.
With those efforts in mind, it is difficult to understand Ambassador
Ricciardone’s assertions about the status of historic Armenian
churches, and other Christian churches, in Turkey. The loss of these
many hundreds of churches, their neglect and outright destruction, and
the conversion of many of our sanctuaries into mosques, is a matter of
intense pain to Armenians: an ongoing reminder of the loss of life and
the destruction that we suffered as a result of the 1915 Genocide.
Ambassador Ricciardone deeply offended Armenian-Americans with his
remarks, opening sensitive wounds and potentially setting back the
gradual process of healing. In all charity, perhaps the Ambassador is
simply unaware of certain facts. But mastery of the history of a
country, its dark as well as bright chapters, is essential to serving
the United States effectively and diplomatically in this important and
complex region.
Again, it is our general support for your efforts, Madame Secretary,
as well as our desire to see genuine progress made to benefit the
entire region, that prompts this letter to you. I am confident that
you will give these thoughts all due consideration, as you make
decisions about the vital role America plays in Turkey, in Armenia,
and throughout the world.
Madame Secretary, you have our great respect and support in all your
undertakings. May our Lord strengthen and guide you in your service
to our beloved country.
With prayers,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate