Turks To Return Makaravank Monastery In Cyprus To Armenians
VirtualAni Posted Feb 14, 2006 9:42 PM
TURKS TO RETURN MAKARAVANK MONASTERY IN CYPRUS TO ARMENIANS
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily #026
14/02/2006
Istanbul-base Armenian weekly Agos informs that the Turks are
going to return Makaravank monastery in occupied northern Cyprus to
Armenians. The monastery founded in 5th century was leased for 49
years by Turkish businessman Dervish Ulus Syonmezler in 1997.
Agos weekly had a phone conversation with the Turkish businessman
to check out the information. "The Department of Historic Monuments
and Museums of Northern Cyprus has annulled the agreement. I think
Makaravank was included in the list of mansions awaiting return
to southern Cyprus. For that reason the authorities of the Turkish
sector annulled the agreement signed for 49 years. I certainly will
sue them. But even if I win, I doubt they will hand the mansion over to
me. Apparently the Turkish authorities of Northern Cyprus have decided
to return the mansion to its true owners - the Cypriot Armenians."
