Today’s initiative is a response to Turkey’s actions, its second trick, Director of the Museum of the Armenian Genocide Hayk Demoyan told journalists. He pointed out that Turkey has destroyed the results of its own propaganda with its own hands.

«We must hold rallies of protest to say we will not allow the Turkish Government’s further manipulations. We will not let Turkey, which is not meeting its international commitments, continue showing disrespect for Armenian Christian values,» Demoyan said. He pointed out that the international community is concealing its attitude to the Turkish Government’s behavior, as it is the second time that Turkey has used Surb Khach church for propaganda.

The situation would be quite different if Turkey would renovate a number of churches during one year and placed them at the Armenian community’s disposal. Most of them are either half-destroyed or were turned into mosques.

It is incorporated in the Treaty of Lausanne signed by the Turkish Government.

As regard the possibility of international pressure on Turkey by means of international norms, Demoyan said: «The matter concerns sanctions and a country failing to meet its international commitments. Today we have gathered here because of Surb Khach church on Akhtamar, but on December 15 we will mark the fifth anniversary of destruction of khachkars (cross-stones) by Azeri soldiers in Juga».

Nakhichevan is under Turkey’s great influence, which suggests that a certain force allowed the Azeri action and then passed the fact over in silence.

«We must, by means of a serious document or public initiative, make this fact available to public. If we keep silent, this process will go on until all the stone records of once united Armenia will be wiped off the ground. It is most importance, as western or eastern Armenia was never marked on ancient maps. Taking advantage of our silence, they are destroying our historical monuments. So we must remain active next year as well,» Demoyan said.

The Museum of the Armenian Genocide plans to release a reference book in English for international institutions.

«This December we are going to raise the issue of Juga khachkars at the highest level, s we have all the proofs of barbaric acts. We must struggle against Turkish-Azeri propaganda,» Demoyan said.

In December 2005, about 100 Azeri soldiers destroyed cross-stones and gravestones in Old Juga.