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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
"TURKEY SHOULD LOOK AT ITS OWN RECORD ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DENIAL,"
Said Aram I in his TV Interview
On Friday 23 December 2011, during an interview with OTV, the Lebanese
station, and the Yerkir Media, His Holiness Aram I criticized the position
of Turkey vis-à-vis the Middle East, and its response to the recent vote on
the Armenian Genocide in the House of Representatives (USA) and the French
Parliament Bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide Denial. He also challenged
Turkey to look at its own history, which is built on bloodshed, persecution
and genocide, before criticizing other countries for their democratic
values.
In response to a question regarding Christian presence in the Middle East,
Catholicos Aram I expressed his dismay at the fact that Turkey is preparing
an "International Conference on Christian Presence in the Middle East". He
said: "Sadly, does not return the movable and immovable properties belonging
to the Armenian Church and the people and continues to deny the victims of
the Genocide the right to compensation. All that Turkey wants today is to
appear as the guardian of the rights of Christians in the Middle East". His
Holiness then added that no Armenian besides representatives from the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople should participate in this so-called
'International Conference.'
He then informed the journalists that from 26 to 28 January 2012, a meeting,
organized by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of
Churches, will be held at the Catholicosate in Antelias. Participants in
this meeting will assess Christian presence in the Middle East and discuss
ways to strengthen Christian-Muslim dialogue in the region.
When asked to comment on the recent Genocide vote by USA House of
Representatives and the Genocide Denial Bill by the French Parliament, His
Holiness Aram I welcomed the two initiatives. He said that they reflect a
commitment to human rights, and he particularly thanked the French
Parliament, noting that he had already written to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
In the end he thanked the Hay Tad Committee in France and all Committees who
continue to work for justice for the Armenian Cause.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
"TURKEY SHOULD LOOK AT ITS OWN RECORD ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DENIAL,"
Said Aram I in his TV Interview
On Friday 23 December 2011, during an interview with OTV, the Lebanese
station, and the Yerkir Media, His Holiness Aram I criticized the position
of Turkey vis-à-vis the Middle East, and its response to the recent vote on
the Armenian Genocide in the House of Representatives (USA) and the French
Parliament Bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide Denial. He also challenged
Turkey to look at its own history, which is built on bloodshed, persecution
and genocide, before criticizing other countries for their democratic
values.
In response to a question regarding Christian presence in the Middle East,
Catholicos Aram I expressed his dismay at the fact that Turkey is preparing
an "International Conference on Christian Presence in the Middle East". He
said: "Sadly, does not return the movable and immovable properties belonging
to the Armenian Church and the people and continues to deny the victims of
the Genocide the right to compensation. All that Turkey wants today is to
appear as the guardian of the rights of Christians in the Middle East". His
Holiness then added that no Armenian besides representatives from the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople should participate in this so-called
'International Conference.'
He then informed the journalists that from 26 to 28 January 2012, a meeting,
organized by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of
Churches, will be held at the Catholicosate in Antelias. Participants in
this meeting will assess Christian presence in the Middle East and discuss
ways to strengthen Christian-Muslim dialogue in the region.
When asked to comment on the recent Genocide vote by USA House of
Representatives and the Genocide Denial Bill by the French Parliament, His
Holiness Aram I welcomed the two initiatives. He said that they reflect a
commitment to human rights, and he particularly thanked the French
Parliament, noting that he had already written to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
In the end he thanked the Hay Tad Committee in France and all Committees who
continue to work for justice for the Armenian Cause.