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VIOLENCE POSTPONES CARDINAL'S TRIP TO ARMENIA
Zenit News Agency
March 3 2008
Italy
Secretary of State Still Planning Stop in Azerbaijan
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's secretary
of state was scheduled to arrive in Armenia today, but a state of
emergency in that nation forced the postponement of his trip.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was set to visit Armenia through
Thursday, and then head to neighboring Azerbaijan until March 9. But
post-election clashes between protesters and police in Armenia on
Saturday resulted in eight deaths. The Armenian government declared
a 20-day state of emergency, forbidding even small groups to gather
in the nation's capital.
A note from the Vatican press office stated that "the visit, which
has not yet been canceled, could take place in the next several days,
with a changed schedule. The visit to Azerbaijan remains confirmed."
The decision was made "in consideration of the situation created in
Armenia following the protests and the state of emergency declared
by the government," the Holy See explained.
Protesters in the former Soviet state claim that the Feb. 19
presidential elections were rigged. They contested the victory of
Serzh Sarksyan, who is current President Robert Kocharian's prime
minister and ally.
Cardinal Bertone is still scheduled to travel Thursday to Azerbaijian,
where he will meet with the head of the Muslim leaders and other
religious officials. He will express to them the Church's desire to
cooperate in the common commitment to peace, concord among peoples
and the good of the human family.
In Azerbaijian's capital, Cardinal Bertone will be present at the
inauguration of a new Catholic church built on land donated to Pope
John Paul II by President Heydar Aliyev, father of Azerbaijian's
current head of state.
Zenit News Agency
March 3 2008
Italy
Secretary of State Still Planning Stop in Azerbaijan
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's secretary
of state was scheduled to arrive in Armenia today, but a state of
emergency in that nation forced the postponement of his trip.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was set to visit Armenia through
Thursday, and then head to neighboring Azerbaijan until March 9. But
post-election clashes between protesters and police in Armenia on
Saturday resulted in eight deaths. The Armenian government declared
a 20-day state of emergency, forbidding even small groups to gather
in the nation's capital.
A note from the Vatican press office stated that "the visit, which
has not yet been canceled, could take place in the next several days,
with a changed schedule. The visit to Azerbaijan remains confirmed."
The decision was made "in consideration of the situation created in
Armenia following the protests and the state of emergency declared
by the government," the Holy See explained.
Protesters in the former Soviet state claim that the Feb. 19
presidential elections were rigged. They contested the victory of
Serzh Sarksyan, who is current President Robert Kocharian's prime
minister and ally.
Cardinal Bertone is still scheduled to travel Thursday to Azerbaijian,
where he will meet with the head of the Muslim leaders and other
religious officials. He will express to them the Church's desire to
cooperate in the common commitment to peace, concord among peoples
and the good of the human family.
In Azerbaijian's capital, Cardinal Bertone will be present at the
inauguration of a new Catholic church built on land donated to Pope
John Paul II by President Heydar Aliyev, father of Azerbaijian's
current head of state.