VATICAN NO 2 TRAVELS TO ARMENIA

Earthtimes
March 4 2008
UK

Vatican City – The Vatican’s second highest official, Secretary of
State Tarcisio Bertone, travelled Tuesday to Armenia two days after
his initial visit on Sunday was cancelled owing to unrest in the
country. Cardinal Bertone’s visit would go ahead "with some changes
to the programme," the Vatican said in a statement announcing his
departure from Rome for Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

On Monday the European Union offered to mediate in the post-election
crisis and violent unrest in Armenia that has left at least eight
dead in the Caucasus republic.

The eight, including a policeman, were killed in clashes Sunday
between police and opposition protestors that led the president to
declare a 20-day state of emergency.

In itsstatement on Tuesday the Vatican said Bertone’s visit to
Armenia’s neighbour Azerbaijan scheduled to begin Thursday through
Sunday, would go ahead as planned.