KARS. - Works on demolition of the monument to the Armenian-Turkish friendship continue even in the rain. Representatives of Afsin company engaged in demolition of the monument explain they are working under all weather conditions to finish it on time simultaneously transporting dismantled parts to the city hall.

Reis Karakoc is responsible for dismantling of the monument, Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reported from Kars. Karakoc ran for Kars mayor in 2009 and is known for his Islamist-nationalist views.

Asked about feelings he had during demolition of the monument, Karakoc said: “I am not enthusiastic about it. Simply, our company won the tender. We are just carrying out our work. I would not like the monument to be demolished but would not like it to be built as well.”

Karakoc showed Armenian News - NEWS.am correspondent collapsing houses near the monument, the roofs of which are covered with polyethylene.

“We live in 21 century, but look at the conditions in which people live. How can we tolerate that an expensive monument is constructed nearby and is called the ‘monument to humanity’,” he said.

It was found out that majority of Kars population oppose demolition of the monument. Their opponents say the monument is ugly.

During his visit to Kars, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the monument to Armenia-Turkey friendship “monstrous” and ordered to demolish it.

Former Mayor of Kars Naif Alibeyoglu has always stood for the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border without any preconditions and for this purpose organized a collection of signature in Kars. On his initiative, a large monument was put to represent the Armenian-Turkish friendship and peace. However, Alibeyoglu was defeated in the mayoral elections in 2009. The unfinished monument was put near the old Armenian district of Kars.

“The decision to demolish the monument to the Armenian-Turkish friendship was made at the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s request, former Mayor of Kars city,” Alibeyoglu said. “Turkey has an oil and gas dependence on Azerbaijan. This is the only reason for demolition.”