Esfahan Provincial TV, Esfahan, Iran
16 Jan 2007

ESFAHAN PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR, ARCHBISHOP COMMENT ON MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN
COEXISTENCE

The provincial governor of Esfahan has said Christians living in the
province have always had coexistence with Muslims and that the basis
of such coexistence is the common ground divine religions share.

Mr Bakhtiari told the archbishop of the Orthodox Christian Armenians
in Esfahan and southern parts of Iran, divine religions have their
roots in monotheism. He expressed hope interfaith, friendship and
closeness would increase by the day.

Archbishop Babken Charian, for his part, said that the Islamic
Revolution has ushered in a spirit of harmony and unity among the
Iranian people. He expressed hope, these days when plots are being
hatched against Iran, [the Iranians] could build on unity and harmony
to overcome these plots.

The archbishop further said the message of Jesus Christ is one of
peace and friendship. He expressed hope in the Gregorian New Year the
followers of Jesus would try to materialize this message.