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:

VENEZUELA ACKNOWLEDGES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Antelias, Lebanon – The National Assembly of Venezuela adopted a resolution
on July 14 recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and expressing support
for the just cause of Armenians. MP Victor Hugo Morales and lawyer Janette
Madris presented the resolution to the National Assembly after persistent
attempts by Venezuelan Armenians to have their cause discussed.

Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, the spiritual leader of the Venezuelan Armenian
community and Dr. Krikor Posdalian, the chairman of the Executive Council of
the Diocese, as well as Venezuelan Armenians attended the session of the
assembly.

The members of the National Assembly adopted the resolution unanimously and
commended the persistence of Armenians in their struggle for their rights.

The resolution adopted by the Venezuelan National Assembly states:

“The National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Whereas

The first scientifically planned, organized and executed genocide in the
history of humanity took place 90 years ago, perpetrated by the regime of
the “Young Turks” and their ideology of “Panturkism”, against the Armenian
People, involving the extermination of almost two million people.

Whereas

Crimes of this nature must be denounced in order to prevent them from
happening again, in order to restore to the victims their human and national
rights and to condemn the perpetrators.

Whereas

This genocide deserves repudiation from the Turkish People and all the
peoples of the world.

Whereas

The People and the State of Venezuela have continuously condemned terrorism
and racial, ethnical, religious and political discrimination.

Whereas

The People and the State of Venezuela fight permanently against all types of
terrorism, including State Terrorism.

Whereas

Due to political causes and interests, there is an ongoing attempt to change
history through the negation of this genocide.

The National Assembly resolves

First: To express to the Armenian People, to their government and to the
strong Armenian-Venezuelan Community, support on their valid and delayed
humanitarian aspirations of justice.

Second: To request the European Union to postpone Turkey’s membership bid,
until the recognition by Turkey of the Armenian Genocide.

Third: To designate a Committee in charge of delivering this resolution to
the Armenian Parliament and to the Armenian Religious Authorities.

Fourth: To form the Parliamentary Group of Friendship to the Armenian
People.”

The resolution followed unrelenting efforts by Armenians for the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide over the past years. These efforts had been
intensified lately on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide.

The resolution is also tangible proof of the efforts carried out by the
Catholicosate of Cilicia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Archbishop Gomidas and his associates had been in constant contact with His
Holiness Aram I for advice and guidance in their efforts for the recognition
of the Genocide.

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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.