The other side of :Ararat Sir: The gust of wind
which blew the two unfortunate us generals across the artificial frontier divid- ing western Armenia from the Soviet Republic would presumably be described as an 'act of God'. Was it perhaps the 'awful and divine wind' which, according to ancient writers, caused the destruc- tion of the Tower of Babel?
In any event, by their unplanned visit to Soviet Armenia these Americans have had the oppor- tunity to meditate on the division of this ancient land, for which division they share responsibility. They can also contemplate the orphaned occupied portion — guarded by the magnificent Mount Ararat—which every Turk knows to be haram (unclean and there- fore harmful), from a different point of view. The ruins referred to in early reports, incidentally, are those of the city of Ani, one of the famous ancient capitals of Armenia. Recent eye-witnesses have reported that this unique and precious medi- aeval cultural monument of out- standing world significance is rapidly vanishing. Can the Turkish government not be persuaded to call in uNesco before Ani is lost completely?
E.V.Gulbenkian 10 Graham Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey
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