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Antelias: HH Aram I addresses a letter to President Jacques Chirac

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  • Antelias: HH Aram I addresses a letter to President Jacques Chirac

    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: http://www.cathcil.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm


    &quo t;WHERE IS THE PLACE OF TURKEY IN EUROPE?"
    ASKS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
    IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CHIRAC


    In a letter to French President Jacques Chirac, His Holiness Aram I warmly
    greets the president's comments on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
    during his recent official visit to Armenia.

    In the absence of the French Ambassador to Lebanon, a delegation from the
    Catholicosate of Cilicia formed of Dr. Nora Bairakdarian-Kabakian
    (chairwoman of the Ecumenical Department of the Catholicosate) and Mr. Hagop
    Shamelian (Chairman of the Properties' Committee of the Catholicosate)
    handed the letter in person to the charge d'affaires at the French embassy.
    During the meeting the delegation discussed the issue of the recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide and Turkey's membership to the European Union.

    Written in French, the Pontiff's letter says:

    His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac
    President of the Republic of France
    Paris

    Mr. President,

    As Catholicos and spiritual leader of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia,
    I welcome, with great joy, your recent comment in Yerevan about the Armenian
    Genocide, where, once again, you restated the clear and firm position of the
    French nation towards this historical tragedy. The Armenians of Cilicia
    particularly were subjected to Genocide and its consequences, as a result of
    which, the Catholicosate of Cilicia was forced to leave its historical seat
    in Cilicia and establish itself in Antelias, Lebanon.

    With its commitment to human rights, law and justice, France serves as a
    model to all those countries which continue to deny the Armenian Genocide.

    The efforts for the denial of the Armenian Genocide can generate new
    genocides. The international community should therefore approach very
    seriously to the Armenian Genocide, which remains unpunished.

    I believe in the dialogue of cultures, religions and nations. I have
    constantly touched on this issue in my addresses, public lectures and books.
    Only the acknowledgement and announcement of the truth should lead to
    dialogue and reconciliation.

    Europe is not merely a geographic continent, neither it is a political
    entity. Europe in its essence is a community of cultural and moral values,
    based on human rights. Therefore, I ask: where is Turkey's place in the
    European Community?

    Mr. President,

    Your recognition of the Armenian Genocide is an approach that suits France,
    the principles it defends and pursues as well as its unique role in
    safeguarding human rights in the world. Mr. President, on this occasion,
    please accept my warm thanks and deep appreciation.

    With blessings,
    His Holiness Aram I
    Catholicos of Cilicia
    5 October 2006
    Antelias, Lebanon

    ##
    The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
    the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
    mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
    Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
    administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
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