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:

ARAM I APPEALS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE,
MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KHATEMI OF IRAN

His Holiness Aram I, who is currently on an official visit to Iran,
met with the president of the Islamic Republic, Mohammed Khatemi, on
May 14. During the meeting president Khatemi affirmed that Iran would
cooperate with His Holiness Aram I for enhancing the coexistence of
cultures and religions. His Holiness said he expects Iran to lead
the efforts of the recognition of the Armenians Genocide in the
Muslim World.

The meeting lasted for over an hour, during which the president and
the Catholicos discussed issues related to Lebanon, inter-religious
relations, the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian community of Iran and
the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

His Holiness conveyed Lebanese president Gen. Emile Lahoud’s warm
greetings to his Iranian counterpart. He explained Lebanon’s current
situation with all its aspects and emphasized the important role of
Iran in the process of solving some of the issues related to Lebanon’s
internal affairs.

President Khatemi in his turn stressed the importance of strengthening
Lebanon’s internal unity and the cohabitation of its different
communities.

His Holiness Aram I reminded the Iranian president that 2005 marks
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. “The recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by governments continues with new vigor, but
Turkey unfortunately continues to deny the genocide it committed.” Said
His Holiness.

The Pontiff added the Armenian Genocide is not a religious problem and
therefore should not be viewed in that context. He emphasized that is
essential for the Muslim World to adopt a clear approach towards the
genocide, which is essentially a human rights issue. Aram I clearly
stated that he expects Iran to lead the efforts for the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide in the Muslim World.

President Khatemi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always
supported the Armenians in their sufferings and expressed its support
for the respect of human rights.

His Holiness also spoke about the Nagorny Karabakh conflict and
expressed his appreciation for Iran’s just and balanced approach
towards the conflict as a justice issue. His Holiness expressed concern
about the increasingly negative treatment of Iranian Armenians by
Iran’s Azerbaijani citizens, especially in the Azerbaijani-populated
areas. Aram I stated that Iranian officials should pay special
attention to this problem.

President Khatemi shared Aram I’s concern and assured His Holiness that
he would try to deal with the problem with all possible means. Khatemi
said that the coexistence of communities, religions and cultures is
one of the most basic features of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Towards the end of their meeting His Holiness Aram I and president
Khatemi emphasized the importance of the dialogue of cultures and
religions and highlighted the role of spiritual and moral values in
the lives of nations.

They regarded the inter-religious dialogue as an essential factor for
the establishment of justice and peace. The president highly praised
His Holiness’ ecumenical and inter-religious role on international
level, stressing that His Holiness is not only a highly respected
person for Christianity, but also for all religions. He promised
to continue his friendship and collaborations with Aram I and the
Armenian nation.

The delegation headed by His Holiness included Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian, primate of the Diocese of Tehran, V. Rev. Papken
Tcharian, primate of the Diocese of Isfahan and V.Rev. Neshan
Topouzian, primate of the Diocese of Tabriz. The delegation also
included Robert Peglarian and Kevork Vartanian, Armenian deputies
in the Iranian parliament, Dr. Harmig Tavtian, Dr. Levon Tavtian,
Roupen Garabedian, Norair Aramian, representatives of the Armenian
Community of Iran and Varoujan Hovhannesian, the director of “Alik”.

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Pictures here:

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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.