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:

&quo t;WHERE IS THE PLACE OF TURKEY IN EUROPE?"
ASKS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CHIRAC

In a letter to French President Jacques Chirac, His Holiness Aram I warmly
greets the president’s comments on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
during his recent official visit to Armenia.

In the absence of the French Ambassador to Lebanon, a delegation from the
Catholicosate of Cilicia formed of Dr. Nora Bairakdarian-Kabakian
(chairwoman of the Ecumenical Department of the Catholicosate) and Mr. Hagop
Shamelian (Chairman of the Properties’ Committee of the Catholicosate)
handed the letter in person to the charge d’affaires at the French embassy.
During the meeting the delegation discussed the issue of the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s membership to the European Union.

Written in French, the Pontiff’s letter says:

His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac
President of the Republic of France
Paris

Mr. President,

As Catholicos and spiritual leader of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia,
I welcome, with great joy, your recent comment in Yerevan about the Armenian
Genocide, where, once again, you restated the clear and firm position of the
French nation towards this historical tragedy. The Armenians of Cilicia
particularly were subjected to Genocide and its consequences, as a result of
which, the Catholicosate of Cilicia was forced to leave its historical seat
in Cilicia and establish itself in Antelias, Lebanon.

With its commitment to human rights, law and justice, France serves as a
model to all those countries which continue to deny the Armenian Genocide.

The efforts for the denial of the Armenian Genocide can generate new
genocides. The international community should therefore approach very
seriously to the Armenian Genocide, which remains unpunished.

I believe in the dialogue of cultures, religions and nations. I have
constantly touched on this issue in my addresses, public lectures and books.
Only the acknowledgement and announcement of the truth should lead to
dialogue and reconciliation.

Europe is not merely a geographic continent, neither it is a political
entity. Europe in its essence is a community of cultural and moral values,
based on human rights. Therefore, I ask: where is Turkey’s place in the
European Community?

Mr. President,

Your recognition of the Armenian Genocide is an approach that suits France,
the principles it defends and pursues as well as its unique role in
safeguarding human rights in the world. Mr. President, on this occasion,
please accept my warm thanks and deep appreciation.

With blessings,
His Holiness Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
5 October 2006
Antelias, Lebanon

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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
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.