PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Message from His Holiness Aram I
Dear Dr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro,
I am writing to you as the Head of the Spiritual Head of Armenians in
Syria and many communities in the Diaspora.
I read your 29 July 2013 report to the General Assembly of the UN on the
situation in Syria, which you made as the Chairman of the Independent
International Commission of Inquiry for Syria. I still remember your
statement that "Syria is in free-fall" and your description of a "fragmented
society" in which "fighters are changing allegiances." I would add that
minorities are also the victims of violence perpetrated by all sides.
With great grief I have been observing the victimization of my community.
The late events in Kessab, facilitated by Turkey, demonstrate the free hand
with which third-party countries are exploiting the situation. As we prepare
to commemorate in 2015 the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey, modern Turkey has forced another tragedy upon
our people. Our community in Kessab, which have been displaced from their
historical land of Cilicia, have lost everything and have become refugees
once more.
I am currently on an official visit to Pope Francis I in the Vatican. I
would like very much to meet with you and share our concern personally.
However, my representative in Switzerland, Ms Teny Pirri-Simonian is
available to brief you on the situation of our people in Kessab. I would
appreciate if you could meet her personally (She can be reached either
through the current email or by phone: 022 362 66 24 or Mobile 079 255 28
83). If that would not be possible, I propose that we forward to you
information concerning the situation of the Armenian community in Syria.
I pray that the report of your commission will touch the heart of all
those contributing to the disintegration of Syria and the victimization of
helpless minorities.
I look forward to hearing from you through our representative.
Prayerfully,
Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of The United States of America
Antelias - On Wednesday 11 June 2014, Ambassador David Hale visited His
Holiness Aram I. During the meeting they discussed the situation in the
region and most importantly in Syria and Lebanon.
# #
http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Message from His Holiness Aram I
Dear Dr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro,
I am writing to you as the Head of the Spiritual Head of Armenians in
Syria and many communities in the Diaspora.
I read your 29 July 2013 report to the General Assembly of the UN on the
situation in Syria, which you made as the Chairman of the Independent
International Commission of Inquiry for Syria. I still remember your
statement that "Syria is in free-fall" and your description of a "fragmented
society" in which "fighters are changing allegiances." I would add that
minorities are also the victims of violence perpetrated by all sides.
With great grief I have been observing the victimization of my community.
The late events in Kessab, facilitated by Turkey, demonstrate the free hand
with which third-party countries are exploiting the situation. As we prepare
to commemorate in 2015 the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey, modern Turkey has forced another tragedy upon
our people. Our community in Kessab, which have been displaced from their
historical land of Cilicia, have lost everything and have become refugees
once more.
I am currently on an official visit to Pope Francis I in the Vatican. I
would like very much to meet with you and share our concern personally.
However, my representative in Switzerland, Ms Teny Pirri-Simonian is
available to brief you on the situation of our people in Kessab. I would
appreciate if you could meet her personally (She can be reached either
through the current email or by phone: 022 362 66 24 or Mobile 079 255 28
83). If that would not be possible, I propose that we forward to you
information concerning the situation of the Armenian community in Syria.
I pray that the report of your commission will touch the heart of all
those contributing to the disintegration of Syria and the victimization of
helpless minorities.
I look forward to hearing from you through our representative.
Prayerfully,
Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of The United States of America
Antelias - On Wednesday 11 June 2014, Ambassador David Hale visited His
Holiness Aram I. During the meeting they discussed the situation in the
region and most importantly in Syria and Lebanon.
# #
http://armenianorthodoxchurch.org/gallery-2