PRESS RELEASE

Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317

Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE U.S.A. AMBASSADOR IN ANTELIAS

On Friday, 11 February 2005, the US Ambassador to Lebanon Mr. Jeffrey
D. Feltman paid a visit to His Holiness Aram I in his residence at
the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias. Two hours long meeting
covered issues and concerns related to the regional situation, as
well as specific cases such as Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian conflict
and Lebano-Syrian relations. The focus of the discussion was Lebanon
which is facing actually internal and regional challenges, in view
of the emerging new realities in the Middle East.

The ambassador outlined the major aspects of the policy of Bush
administration in respect to the Middle East. In this context the
ambassador emphasized the need for Lebanon to restore its full
independence and sovereignty.

His Holiness Aram I shared the concerns and perspectives of the
ambassador in his turn stressing the importance of promoting democratic
values, peace with justice and human rights, as the core and sustaining
power of governance.

Catholicos Aram I also highlighted the specific role of religion as
the guardian of moral criterion and defender of basic human values. His
Holiness also emphasized the importance of inter faith dialogue.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.