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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
HIS EXCELLENCY SERGE SARKSSIAN PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA
MET WITH HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
"As Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia I will continue to demand justice
on behalf of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide"
His Holiness Aram I
On the occasion of his visit to Lebanon H.E. Serge Sarkissian had two
private meetings with His Holiness Aram I. During these meetings he
explained the reasons for the Armenia-Turkey agreement, as well as briefed
him on his conversations with the representatives of Armenian diaspora
communities.
His Holiness Aram I reminded the President of his own recent statement
regarding his position on this matter and appreciated the President’s
initiative to brief the diaspora on the decision of the Armenian government.
Catholicos Aram I then said: "Armenians in diaspora will not compromise on
issues of Genocide and Compensation. The memorial chapel in Antelias with
the remains of one and a half million innocent men, women and children, the
victims of organized genocide by the Ottoman Turkish government, is a
constant reminder of our obligation to demand justice and the recognition of
the Genocide". He then continued: "As Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia
I will honor the memory of the martyrs by continuing to demand justice. The
government of Armenia should continue to remind Turkey and the international
community that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a must and not a
matter of negotiation."
The President told His Holiness Catholicos Aram I that the issue of
recognition of the Armenian Genocide belonged to all Armenians, and
therefore, he understood the anger of the diaspora. However, he said, the
economico-political terms of Armenia-Turkey agreement were important for
Armenia. Before leaving His Holiness’ residence the President reconfirmed
his commitment to the cause of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and
ended his visit to Antelias by placing a wreathe at the Chapel of the
Martyrs.
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View the photos here:
tos/Photos400.htm
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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.