Germany Asks Turkey to Re-Open Tarsus Church, Milliyet Says

By Steve Bryant

June 11 (Bloomberg) -- Germany has asked Turkey to allow a former church in the southern town of Tarsus to be re-opened for worship, Milliyet newspaper reported, citing German Ambassador Eckart Cuntz.

The building in the Mediterranean town, believed to be the birth place of Saint Paul, is a former Orthodox church now being run as a museum, Milliyet said. Many Germans have second homes or retirement properties on the south coast of Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country.

Murat Mercan, head of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said he saw no objections to re-opening the church, Milliyet said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Steve Bryant in Ankara at
sbryant5@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 11, 2008 01:43 EDT