ArmenPress
Jan 4 2005

OSCE NEW CHAIRMAN TO VISIT SOUTH CAUCASUS IN MID-JANUARY

YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: Azeri mass media reported that
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, who officially took over
the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE) from Bulgaria on 1 January 2005 will pay a visit to the
Southern Caucasus in 2005 mid-January.
Dimitrij Rupel will formally present the priorities of the new
Chairmanship to the OSCE’s 55 participating States at the Permanent
Council in Vienna on 13 January.
“The OSCE has always responded well to challenge and adversity,”
Minister Rupel said at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Sofia in 2004
December. “Its ability to adapt has, over the years, become one of
its greatest virtues and advantages.”
“The responsibility to make it stronger and more visible in the
global arena rests upon us. Slovenia is resolute that the OSCE should
have a strong role in sowing the seeds of security and co-operation
throughout its area and beyond,” he said.

ArmenPress
Jan 4 2005

GOVERNMENT PLEDGES TO BOOST TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN 2005

YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: At its last session in 2004 the
Armenian government approved a special state program for tourism
development in 2005, pledging to promote Armenia as an attractive
tourist destination. Deputy trade and development minister Ara
Petrosian, who is supervising tourism development projects, told
reporters that the main goal of the new program is to aggressively
promote and advertise the country in international tourism markets.
Petrosian put the number of foreign citizens, who visited the
country in the past year to around 260,000, a significant rise in
comparison with 206,000 in 2003.
Around 60 percent of foreign tourists visiting Armenia are
Diaspora Armenians, including also those who left it in the recent
decade and now visiting it as foreigners.
The main obstacle to bringing more foreign tourists to Armenia,
according to the deputy minister is the insufficient development of
tourism infrastructure. Another obstacle is that many Westerns look
upon the South Caucasian region as a hotbed of instability.

ArmenPress
Jan 4 2005

ARMENIA TO OPEN THREE OVERSEAS OFFICES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC POLICY

YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenian trade and economic
development minister Karen Chshmaritian said December 30 the
government has earmarked money for opening three offices in Brussels,
Washington and World Trade Organization ‘to promote Armenia’s
economic policy and advertise investments in its economy and defend
also the interests of Armenian companies which deal with overseas
partners, should they have problems.”
The minister said also another priority next year will be
establishment of free trade zone with Lebanon. A relevant agreement
is supposed to be signed next year. Chshmaritian said Armenia signed
such agreements with 9 CIS member countries, except Georgia and
Uzbekistan. Talks are also underway with Iran to sign a free trade
zone agreement.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 5 2005

ARMENIA POSTS UNIMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC RESULTS

YEREVAN, January 5 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan ) – Armenia
chalked up a $1,900,000,000 trade turnover over the January-November
2004 period, exceeding similar 2003 levels by 4.5 percent.

Meanwhile the national statistical service estimates that exports and
imports totaled $645,900,000 and $1,219,300,000, respectively.

The country also posted a $573.4-million foreign-trade deficit over
the January-November 2004 period.

One dollar cost an average of 537 drams over the January-November
2004 period.

Average wages totaled 41,168 drams ($76.6) throughout that period, a
28.7-percent increase on similar 2003 levels.

Public-sector wages soared by 36.4 percent on the January-November
2003 period, totaling 25,840 drams, what with private-sector wages
increasing by 25.4 percent (53,867 drams).

At the same time, minimal food-basket prices were 30,278 drams
($56.3) per month.

As of late November 2004, Armenia had 109,600 officially registered
jobless persons, an 8.7-percent decline on November 2003 levels.

Moldova Azi, Moldova
Jan 5 2005

Forces of Order Reported an Unprecedented Case of Hostage Taking

Two Armenian hostages were released last week from an apartment in
Slobozia town as part of a common operation organized by the Moldovan
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Transdniestrian militia and Armenian
forces of order.
Nicolae Dobos, employee of the Operative Services Department of MIA,
declared at a press conference that the two hostages are Edic
Davtean, aged 70, employee of an Armenian commercial firm specialized
in selling and installing equipment for the production of paper
articles and Kirakosean Gaghic of 47, the director of the same firm.

Dobos specified that Davtean was kidnapped in May 2004 by two
citizens of the self-proclaimed Transdniestrian republic who tempted
the old man to come to Kiev town under the pretext of installing the
machinery producing articles of paper. When in Kiev, Davtean was
doped and taken illegally to the Transdniestrian region.

Threatening his family with death, the kidnappers extorted from the
victim 25 Th. USD, his relatives managing to transmit only 10 Th.
USD.

On 7 December 2004, the same offenders called in Kiev the director of
the firm, Kirakosean, who was taken after the same scenario to the
apartment where Davtean was brought. For their release the offenders
asked 365 Th. USD.

The persons by whose order the kidnapping was performed were arrested
during the operations for freeing the hostages. They turned out to be
brothers Dadas and David Artiunov aged 41 and, respectively, 45. The
forces of order established that they were in collusion with other
two accomplices who are announced generally wanted at present.

Concomitantly, the police found out that the two brothers bought in
2001 from Kirakosean Gaghic’s firm machinery for the production of
paper articles. Afterwards, after gathering enormous debts towards
the businessmen and banks from the Transdniestrian region, they
decided to return their debts by extorting money from the two
hostages.

Transdniestrian forces of order initiated on the given case a
criminal record for hostage taking. The cited source mentioned that
this is the only case of this kind that was registered in Moldova
over the last ten years. //REPORTER.MD

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 5, 2005
CONTACT: David Zenian
Email: [email protected]

CONGRESSMAN GRIJALVA JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS

Washington, DC – At the urging of Armenian Assembly activists, Rep. Raul
Grijalva (D-AZ) today became the first member from Arizona to join the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus
membership to 138.

Rep. Grijalva, who was just re-elected to his second term, represents
the Tucson and Yuma areas and serves in the Education and Workforce and
Resources Committees.

Announcing his decision, Rep. Grijalva said:

“The Armenian Caucus has played a very important role in building strong
and lasting relations between the United States and Armenia. I have
closely followed its work over the past few years and seen the
dedication of my fellow legislators. I am proud to be the first member
from the Arizona delegation to the House of Representatives to join the
Armenian Caucus.”

The Assembly, for its part, welcomed the decision and praised the
Congressman’s support of Armenian issues, notably his signing of the
2003-2004 Genocide letter to President Bush, co-sponsoring the Armenia
PNTR bill and H. Res. 193, the Genocide resolution.

“The Assembly extends its appreciation and thanks to Congressman
Grijalva and looks forward to working with him on issues of importance
and concern to the Armenian community, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,”
Assembly Congressional Relations Director Rob Mosher said.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2005-003

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

CAPTION: Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – January 5, 2005
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION

PRELACY PARISHES RESPOND TO
APPEAL BY PRELATE FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF
Prelacy parishes responded to the appeal made last week by His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and began collecting funds for the victims of
the earthquake in the Indian Ocean which resulted in the tsunamis that
devastated parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
Last Sunday, January 2, parishes asked their Faithful for donations
during a special plate collection specifically for this purpose. Many
parishes have indicated that they will continue to seek donations.
In his appeal, His Eminence said: It is critical that help reach these
areas as soon as possible, otherwise the death toll through disease and
malnutrition can easily double.. Armenians, unfortunately, are all too
familiar with great tragedies. We have been the benefactors of the altruism
of others. Let us open our hearts and our pockets to help humanitarian
assistance reach those caught up in this tragic scenario.
You can read the complete message on the Prelacy web page:

There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to offer a helping
hand to fellow human beings who are in great need. Your donations can be
made through your local parish or to the Prelacy. Checks should be payable
to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (indicate for Asian Relief), and
mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.

CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA AND WCC GENERAL SECRETARY
RELEASE JOINT MESSAGE TO TSUNAMI AREA CHURCHES
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and
Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia,
General Secretary of the WCC sent the following joint message on December
31, 2004, to WCC member churches in the affected areas:
On behalf of the entire fellowship of the World Council of Churches we
send you sincere condolences and express our sorrow at the loss of more than
125,000 lives in one of the deadliest natural catastrophes that has faced
the people of Southeast Asia and regions surrounding the Indian Ocean. We
are also aware that the devastating earthquake followed by the tsunami has
left more than five million people homeless who are in dire need of
immediate humanitarian aid as well as psychological and spiritual
accompaniment.
With our deepest sympathy we pray and think of those who have lost their
loved ones. We are greatly encouraged by the exemplary efforts of our member
churches in responding even with meager resources to bandage the wounded and
bond with the sorrowful. In prayer, we yearn to God that we may all overcome
this cosmic anguish together with all peoples of faith in the region. The
WCC together with our partners in ecumenical disaster and emergency
management will continue to reach out with the resources available at our
disposal to prevent more human suffering and bring about relief to those in
this great affliction. Please let us know in what ways you would wish the
global ecumenical community to be in solidarity with you as you try to come
to terms with this unprecedented catastrophe.
During this holy season we have witnessed through liturgy and the sacred
narratives of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ that even the face of so
many contradictions in life God is still part of our broken world. The
miracle of the incarnation reminds us in the most profound way of the
dwelling presence of God that transforms even probabilities of annihilation
into new possibilities of life in history. And now we must reach out to one
another, and not only weep with those in anguish but also make a new place
for those seeking shelter as we struggle to find lasting solutions to future
tragedies in this world. One lesson to learn from this tsunami tragedy is
the need for the international community and the religious communities to
unite in one spirit and reinvent the capacity for preparedness to face such
tragedies together. It is also a moment to be reawakened to our God given
responsibility to care not only for one another but for the health of the
creation as well.
On the eve of the New Year may God’s grace be with you, comfort you, and
give you peace in 2005 and beyond.

2005 BIBLE READINGS ON THE WEB
We remind you that the Bible readings for 2005 are posted on the Prelacy web
page. To reach the Bible readings go to:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS
DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH
Catholicos Aram I issued the first of a series of message directed at
the youth. The first communication is titled, For a Life-Centered
Spirituality: A Dialogue with the Youth.
In his opening statement His Holiness said: We lived the last days of
2004 confronting an unprecedented disaster caused by nature. This tragedy
comes to add to the burden human beings and particularly youth are facing as
a result of man-made tragedies, like war, violence, poverty, unemployment,
and a sense of meaninglessness and uncertainty. These are times when people
question, pray and yearn for spirituality.
His Holiness then goes on to describe the features of a life-centered
spirituality and ends with this:
On the eve of the New Year and Christmas, I wanted to share these few
reflections with our youth. This is not a formal message but the beginning
of a frank dialogue with our youth. I consider dialoging with the youth of
crucial importance for the future of our church and nation. Therefore, I
would like to continue this dialogue with our youth by addressing, from time
to time, issues, challenges and concerns pertaining to the present day
societies in general, and the Armenian Church and community, in particular.
The full message is on the Prelacy web page:

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
Today, January 5, is Christmas Eve day, and tomorrow is Christmas when
Armenians celebrate the birth and baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most
Prelacy parishes will have services this evening and tomorrow. Please check
with your local parish for the exact schedule.
This morning, His Eminence visited the Armenian Old Age Home in Emerson,
New Jersey, where he officiated at services and had the opportunity to visit
with the residents.
Tonight, Christmas Eve, Archbishop Oshagan, will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City.
Tomorrow, Christmas Day, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the Sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Tomorrow evening he will host his annual Christmas reception at the
Prelacy at which time the traditional Home Blessing will take place.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN VISITS ST. SARKIS PARISH
Last Sunday, January 2, Archbishop Oshagan was with the St. Sarkis
parish, Douglaston, New York. His Eminence presided over the Divine Liturgy
and had opportunity to visit with the parishioners on the occasion of the
New Year. On this occasion the parishioners generously donated for relief
aid for the tsunami victims.
To view a photo of this visit go to:

CHRISTMAS MASS FROM ANTELIAS TO BE TELEVISED
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will
broadcast via satellite the Christmas Mass presided over by His Holiness
Aram I, from St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, Lebanon.
Those with satellite service will be able to view the Mass tomorrow
evening, January 6, beginning between 6 and 7 pm.

CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY
In the December 23 issue of Crossroads we explained how the Armenian
Church has remained faithful to the original tradition of celebrating the
birth and baptism of Christ on January 6.
Following the Christmas Divine Liturgy, a special ceremony of the
Blessing of the Water (Choororhnek) takes place. The cross is immersed in
water, which has been blessed with Holy Oil (Muron), symbolizing the baptism
of our Lord. During the early centuries the celebration of the baptism was
marked with great splendor usually on the shores of a river.
In modern times, especially here in the United States, the Blessing of
the Water service takes place in the church following the Divine Liturgy.
Prayers are said, passages from the Gospel are read, and the dove-shaped
vessel containing Holy Oil is ceremoniously brought forward and the
officiating priest drops the Muron into a large basin containing water. The
priest dips the cross into the blessed water while reciting special prayers.
A member of the congregation usually acts as the Godfather.
There are some interesting commentaries about the Armenian Blessing of
Water ceremonies in history. For example, there is a description written by
a foreign churchman, Canonicus Willebrandt, about the ceremony that took
place on January 6, in the year 1211. He was on the way to a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem and remained in Cilicia for several months. He wrote:
We arrived at Sis on the day of Theophany on the invitation of King
Levon, who was to show us their ceremony. Sis is one of their important
cities. It has countless people of wealth. This is how they celebrated the
Feast of the Revelation. First, they did penance for twelve days and
observed abstinence, shunning even fish, wine, and oils. On the day
preceding they fasted. In the evening they celebrated the Divine Liturgy and
worshipped piously the whole night through. In the morning they went to the
river bank near the city. King Levon was astride a tall and stately horse..
Then came the Greek patriarch with his retinue, and then the Armenian clergy
with their Catholicos in a glorious procession. They began to bless the
waters of the river. The Gospel was read in both Greek and Armenian. The
Cross was immersed into the water, and a dove was released. Someone went
into the river and when he was in the center he cried out in a powerful
voice, Long Live our King. Then he cried out again, May Christianity rise
and grow strong throughout the world..

JANUARY 7 IS REMEMBRANCE DAY (MERELOTS)
In the Armenian Church, the day following the five major feasts
(Nativity, Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, Holy Cross) is a remembrance
day devoted to the dead. This is another tradition that we, unfortunately,
have lost in the United States. In some countries, especially in the Middle
East, it is still observed. On this day the Faithful go to the cemetery to
have the graves of their loved ones blessed, and requiem service for the
repose of the departed souls.
Great, civilized nations show great respect for the dead. In fact,
Catholicos Zareh I, of blessed memory, used to often repeat the words of a
famous historian who upon analyzing the reasons for the fall of Rome said,
Rome fell because Romans lost respect for their dead.
May the memory of the righteous be ever blessed.

REMEMBERING..
Our late father was totally devoted to the Armenian Church throughout
his life. A survivor of the Genocide, he remembered the Yergir very vividly
and shared his recollections about holiday celebrations.
He told us that gifts for the poor were often left at door of needy
families on New Year’s Eve anonymously. The benefactors were never know.
And, of course, the exchange of gifts was not associated with Christmas at
all, but rather the New Year. The only gifts he remembered were dried fruits
and nuts, received with great joy. No matter how much dried fruit and nuts
he ate, none had the taste of his youth. He recalled the sweet sound of the
church bells at Midnight on Christmas Eve announcing the birth of our Lord
and summoning the Faithful to Church.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the
inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were
sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
The Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 7 to 11

On the occasion of the New York and the Holy Nativity, let us feel Gods
descent in our hearts and recognize it as a gift distributed to us. Let us
act such that our work and life will be a Christian gift first to God and
then to each other, turning our New Year to thanksgiving.
Archbishop Oshagan, Christmas Message
To read the entire message go to:

AND FINALLY.
A perfect ending to this Christmas edition of Crossroads is to send
special birthday greetings to 105-year-old Yeghsapet Giragosian. She is a
member of the St. Gregory parish of North Andover, Massachusetts. She
celebrated her 105th birthday on January 3.
You can send your birthday wishes to her:
Mrs. Yeghsapet Giragosian
154 High St.
North Andover, MA 01845

A Blessed Christmas to all.

Visit our website at

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
January 5, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ARMENIA SCORES HIGHEST AMONG CIS ON ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX

— Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal Give Armenia their
Highest Rating in the Commonwealth of Independent States

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
in letters sent today to Members of Congress, Administration
officials, think tanks, the media, and the broader Washington, DC
foreign policy community, welcomed Armenia’s high rating from the
Index of Economic Freedom, prepared jointly by the Heritage
Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.

The Index measures 161 countries against 50 variables divided into
10 factors of economic freedom. Armenia received a 2.58 rating and
was ranked 42nd overall – ahead of both France and South Korea.
Armenia’s scores places it, by a considerable margin, as the
highest scoring nation among the Commonwealth of Independent
States. Within the Caucasus, Armenia was listed as the only
“Mostly Free” nation. Georgia ranked 100th overall with a score of
3.34, and Azerbaijan came in at 103rd with a score of 3.38. Turkey
continued to slip on economic freedoms, coming in with a score of
3.36 and a ranking of 112th overall. Lower scores on the Index’s
five-point scale are more desirable.

“Armenia’s strong economic growth and steady progress in each of
the ten areas weighed by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall
Street Journal are reflected in the expansion of U.S.-Armenia
economic relations,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “We look
forward to helping further expand these commercial ties and to
building on the passage of Permanent Normal Trade Relations
legislation – spearheaded last year by Congressman Joe Knollenberg
and Senator Mitch McConnell – by ending double-taxation, securing a
Social Security Agreement, and paving the way toward free trade
between the United States and Armenia.”

Armenia’s ratings in each of the ten factors covered by the Index
are provided below (Lower scores are more desirable):

Trade: 2.0
Fiscal Burden: 2.3
Gov. Intervention: 2.5
Monetary Policy: 2.0
For. Investment: 2.0
Banking: 1.0
Wages & Prices: 3.0
Property Rights: 3.0
Regulation: 4.0
Informal Market: 4.0

According to the Index, Armenia has made steady progress on
economic freedom over the past decade. Below find Armenia’s past
scores:

2005: 2.58
2004: 2.63
2003: 2.59
2002: 2.78
2001: 3.03
2000: 3.21
1999: 3.50
1998: 3.50
1997: 3.50
1996: 3.69

For additional information about the Heritage Foundation/Wall
Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom, now in its 11th year,
visit:

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 5 2005

PACE to discuss plight of Azerbaijani refugees

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) committee
on refugees will hold a meeting in Baku dedicated to the plight of
Azerbaijani refugees this month. The Upper Garabagh conflict and the
issue of food assistance to internally displaced persons will be
discussed.
PACE is also expected to conduct a series of activities in Baku in
2005.*

Le Figaro, France
05 janvier 2005

« Ces citoyens turcs qui parlent la langue du Christ »
Sébastien de Courtois

par Sophie de RAVINEL

Historien et spécialiste de l’Orient, Sébastien de Courtois a
rencontré par hasard une petite population chrétienne oubliée, au fin
fond de la Turquie, à la frontière du Kurdistan. Les villages,
accrochés sur les massifs du Tur Abdin, entourent des monastères
fondés entre le IVe et le VIIIe siècle. Y vivent encore quelques
centaines de personnes, héritières d’une population qui a survécu à
travers les siècles entre massacres et discriminations. Leur langue
est l’araméen, celle-là même que parlait le Christ. Associés aux
splendides photos de Douchan Novalovik, les textes de Sébastien de
Courtois (Les Derniers Araméens, éd. La Table Ronde) font entrer le
lecteur dans un monde oublié, un berceau du christianisme primitif,
dont les habitants sont de fervents adeptes de l’entrée de la Turquie
en Europe.

LE FIGARO. Comment vous êtes-vous intéressé aux Araméens de Turquie ?

Sébastien de COURTOIS. Complètement par hasard, bien que je sois un
passionné de l’Orient. Avec un ami, nous étions dans l’est de la
Turquie, il y a cinq ans, à la recherche d’églises arméniennes,
autour du lac de Van. Le bus s’est trompé de direction et nous nous
sommes arrêtés dans un lieu inconnu. Alors que je croyais qu’il n’y
avait plus de chrétiens sur place, j’ai croisé un prêtre sur la
route. Il s’exprimait dans un français parfait. C’était le père
Joseph, curé de Mardin et ancien élève des dominicains de Mossoul, en
Irak. Il nous a invités à visiter les monastères, plus haut dans la
montagne, près de la ville de Midyat, dans le massif du Tur Abdin («
la montagne des serviteurs de Dieu »). Quinze d’entre eux sont encore
en service. Dans les villages alentours vivent 2 000 habitants dont
les ancêtres ont été christianisés aux IIe et IIIe siècles. Cette
poche chrétienne située aux portes du Kurdistan, cousine de celles
qui existent en Syrie, a survécu au cours de l’histoire, malgré les
massacres, les discriminations.

Quelle a été votre première impression sur place ?

Cette rencontre a d’abord été un coup de foudre spirituel. La foi de
ces citoyens turcs qui parlent la langue du Christ est totalement
authentique, elle a traversé les ges. J’ai voulu qu’elle soit
visible sur les photos, sur ces visages qui sortent de l’Ancien
Testament. L’architecture est ensuite saisissante. Les monastères,
construits entre le IVe et le VIIIe siècle, ont un style unique,
influencé par l’antiquité, Byzance, la Syrie du Nord… Jusque très
récemment on n’avait qu’une très petite idée de ce témoignage de
l’histoire. La seule grande étude a été menée en 1911 par
l’archéologue et exploratrice anglaise Gertrude Bell. Aujourd’hui, je
travaille avec l’Unesco pour que ce site soit inscrit au patrimoine
mondial de l’humanité.

Ne risque-t-on pas de faire de ce lieu une sorte de « réserve
culturelle protégée » des chrétiens de Turquie ?

C’est un risque. Mais il faut faire quelque chose. La moyenne d’ge
des quelque 2 000 habitants est très élevée. Les Kurdes font pression
pour récupérer leurs maisons et les jeunes chrétiens ont le regard
fixé sur l’Occident. Ils ne pensent qu’à partir. Je crains que ce
livre soit le premier et le dernier. Certaines photos ne pourraient
déjà plus être faites. Pourtant, il y a encore deux ans, les Turcs
les empêchaient toujours d’enseigner leur propre langue et de
transmettre leur culture. Au cours des premiers de nos cinq voyages
sur place, les écoles étaient clandestines… Aujourd’hui, depuis que
la Turquie a lancé une opération de séduction en direction de
l’Europe, la situation s’est bien améliorée.

Vous espérez un renouveau de cette communauté ?

Je le constate ! Je crois en un devoir de mémoire que les Turcs
pourraient avoir. Nous assistons aussi à une certaine renaissance du
monachisme depuis cinq ans. Des jeunes syriaques qui vivent à
Istanbul, viennent dans le Tur Abdin pour retrouver leurs racines,
apprendre leur langue. Ils restent sur place quelques années et
contribuent à la renaissance du lieu. La diaspora est aussi très
présente. Il y a vingt ans, ces villages n’avaient pas l’électricité.
Ils ont aujourd’hui Internet et sont reliés au monde entier. Les
habitants sont de fervents adeptes de l’intégration de la Turquie en
Europe.