Tweet
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
March 21, 2006
DIOCESE JOINS RELIGIOUS LEADERS SEEKING MID-EAST PEACE
Vartkes Balian, a member of the Legate's Committee, represented the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) during a recent gathering of
religious leaders at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, representing 25 national
organizations, met with Karen Hughes, undersecretary for public diplomacy
and public affairs, on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. The meeting was part of
an organizational appeal urging President Bush to make Israeli-Palestinian
peace a priority for U.S. policy.
During the meeting, the religious leaders expressed the desire to see
continued humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, while agreeing with
President Bush's insistence that Hamas, the newly elected leaders of the
Palestinian Authority, reject violence and recognize Israel.
They specifically asked the Bush administration to press for an immediate
and comprehensive ceasefire, work to assure that the agreement on Gaza is
fully implemented, press both sides to implement their initial Road Map
obligations, and appoint an on-the-ground envoy to manage and monitor
negotiations.
The gathering was organized by National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
for Peace in the Middle East, which was founded in 2003. In a statement on
the meeting, organizers said that they believe "achieving peace in Jerusalem
and the Holy Land is not only essential for Israelis and Palestinians, but
for reducing the threat of global terrorism and easing tensions among
religious communities worldwide."
The Diocesan Legate's Committee, of which Balian is a member, is an advisory
board that works with Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer,
to promote the ecumenical and interfaith efforts of the Diocese.
"It is important that our legate and the Legate's Committee continue taking
an active interest in the status of the Holy Land," said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate. "As both Christians and Armenians, we have a strong
historical tie to the Holy Land. It is vital that our voice be heard in
Washington, the United Nations, and around the world, for we are also
stakeholders in the lasting future of the Holy Land."
-- 3/21/06
# # #
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
March 21, 2006
DIOCESE JOINS RELIGIOUS LEADERS SEEKING MID-EAST PEACE
Vartkes Balian, a member of the Legate's Committee, represented the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) during a recent gathering of
religious leaders at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, representing 25 national
organizations, met with Karen Hughes, undersecretary for public diplomacy
and public affairs, on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. The meeting was part of
an organizational appeal urging President Bush to make Israeli-Palestinian
peace a priority for U.S. policy.
During the meeting, the religious leaders expressed the desire to see
continued humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, while agreeing with
President Bush's insistence that Hamas, the newly elected leaders of the
Palestinian Authority, reject violence and recognize Israel.
They specifically asked the Bush administration to press for an immediate
and comprehensive ceasefire, work to assure that the agreement on Gaza is
fully implemented, press both sides to implement their initial Road Map
obligations, and appoint an on-the-ground envoy to manage and monitor
negotiations.
The gathering was organized by National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
for Peace in the Middle East, which was founded in 2003. In a statement on
the meeting, organizers said that they believe "achieving peace in Jerusalem
and the Holy Land is not only essential for Israelis and Palestinians, but
for reducing the threat of global terrorism and easing tensions among
religious communities worldwide."
The Diocesan Legate's Committee, of which Balian is a member, is an advisory
board that works with Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer,
to promote the ecumenical and interfaith efforts of the Diocese.
"It is important that our legate and the Legate's Committee continue taking
an active interest in the status of the Holy Land," said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate. "As both Christians and Armenians, we have a strong
historical tie to the Holy Land. It is vital that our voice be heard in
Washington, the United Nations, and around the world, for we are also
stakeholders in the lasting future of the Holy Land."
-- 3/21/06
# # #