Epress.am News from Armenia
“Frankly, I have an aversion to the Armenian mentality.” New Generation of Vaspurakan Compatriots’ Union President Marine Vahradyan quoted the words (in Russian) of Mihran Vardanyan, a post-graduate student at the University of Oxford, at a press conference today, explaining why the the research into Karahunj (alternative spelling: Qarahunge) by a team of Armenian and British scientists in Armenia didn’t happen, adding that Mihran stole research by Armenian scientists and turned into British research.
“Of course, we’re not going to leave it like this: corresponding documents will be sent to different international bodies, as well as the Royal Geographical Society, from which Mihran Vardanyan received a grant, so that all will know this is Armenian research,” said Marine Vahradyan, adding that it’s necessary to recognize that this research was carried out by Armenian scientists so that Armenia can initiate tourism programs and build hotels in the area surrounding Karahunj.
“And what do you think, why did the British side finance the research and respond so quickly? Because they saw what type of income they could receive, if the British side takes the lead,” said Marine Vahradyan, calling journalists’ attention to the question of whether the British side’s interest was only for scientific purposes.
“Karahunj is found along the Armenia-Turkey border, and we all know that Turkey-Britain relations have always been cordial. This fact should also grab the attention of our national security,” said Marine Vahradyan, who observed that, from the beginning, the monument was called Karahunj and “who knows why” Mihran Vardanyan’s group called it Zorats Karer, which is translated from the Turkish, doşun taş.