ARMENIAN COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES IN THE US MEET WITH THE EDUCATION
MINISTER OF LEBANON
Hairenik Radio
August 10, 2006
On August 10, 2006, a delegation representing the Armenian community on the
eastern seaboard of the United States met with the special Envoy of
Lebanon’s Council of Ministers Tarek Mitri in New York. The Minister is in
New York to lead the efforts of the Government of Lebanon at the UN to
secure a cease-fire and withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon. The
meeting was also attended by the Lebanese ambassador to Mexico Nouhad
Mahmoud.
The Armenian delegation included the Prelate of the Eastern Region
Archbishop Oshagan Chologyan and Vicor Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. The
Armenian Relief Society Eastern Region USA (ARS) was represented by Mrs.
Anais Cholakian and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsoutiun
Eastern Region USA (ARF) was represented by Central Committee member Mr.
Alex Sarafian and Mr. Jirayr Beugekian.
The Prelate passed on the blessing of the Armenian Catholicos Aram I and
expressed the readiness of the Armenian-American community to do whatever it
can to ease the pain of the civilian population.
The minister praised the Armenian community in Lebanon for its contributions
to the political and social life of Lebanon. The attendees then discussed
the latest events in Lebanon and the ongoing Israeli aggression against the
people and civilian infrastructure of Lebanon, which is creating a dire
situation. The minister touched upon the economic, social, and medical
assistance needed in Lebanon.
The representatives of the ARS and ARF focused on the Armenian community’s
actual efforts to secure relief material for the refugees of Lebanon and
means of transporting it to Lebanon in the current situation. The ARF
representatives informed the Minister that the Armenian community in the US
is taking part in political activities supporting the territorial integrity
of Lebanon and calling for an immediate cease fire, condemning attacks on
civilian targets and the powers stalling the efforts to reach an immediate
cease fire.
At the end of the meeting, all attendees expressed their readiness to meet
again at a later date and keep the lines of communication open for the sake
of the people of Lebanon.