ARAM I CRITICIZES JUPPE’S REMARKS ON GENOCIDE PANEL
Asbarez
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Catholicos Aram I meets with France’s Adrien Gouteyron
ANTELIAS, Lebanon-A recent statement by French Foreign Minister Alan
Juppe calling for the establishment of a historical commission to
study the Armenian Genocide was criticized by His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
“The recent statement of the French Foreign Minister in turkey,
contradicts France’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide” the
Catholicos said Monday when meeting with former Senator Adrien
Gouteyron who was visiting Antelias on behalf of the French Prime
Minister.
During a visit to Turkey last month, Juppe said that “France was
ready to invite Armenian and Turkish delegations to study the sad
events of 1915.” Juppe’s statement was in direct contradiction to
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who during a visit to Yerevan urged
Turkey to reconcile its past and recognize the Genocide.
Aram I pointed the contradiction to the visiting French dignitary
saying that both Sarkozy and the French Parliament had already
recognized the Armenian Genocide.
Gouteyron was on a fact-finding mission to Lebanon and other Arab
countries to become acquainted with the impact of the Arab uprisings
on the Christian populations of in the region.
Gouteyron probed the Catholicos’ position on the movements in the
Middle East and probed the pontiff’s opinion on regime change.
“Regime change is not an end in itself. It is the first step toward
people’s participation. If democratization is defined on the basis
of strict Islamic terms, Christians will face difficulties. While
respecting the position of majority Muslims, we would like to
participate in the political, social and economic life of our countries
as full citizens. Any future dialogue should move in this direction,”
explained the Catholicos.
“Churches in the Middle East and their Diaspora communities should
cooperate and strengthen the region,” added the Catholicos.
Gouteyron concluded his visit by honoring the victims of the Genocide
at the Antelias Memorial.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2011/12/07/aram-i-criticizes-juppes-remarks-on-genocide-panel/
