CATHOLICOS PRAISES PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR ‘HISTORIC STATEMENT’

In a letter addressed to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I thanks him for his “historic statement” on occasion of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.

“I express profound gratitude on behalf of my predecessors, who were forced to leave the centuries-old historic Centre of the Armenian  Church at the Catholicosate in Sis (the present-day Kozan) and settle in Lebanon, as well  as the survivors of the genocide who are dispersed all over the world,” His Holiness says.

The Catholicos tells Mr. Biden that he “will be remembered as the President of the United States of  America who fulfilled his electoral campaign pledge and inspired hope to victims whose  legitimate rights have been continually denied.” Most importantly, His Holiness adds, President Biden has “reaffirmed the commitment of the United States of America to justice, human rights, and accountability.”

His Holiness closes his message by saying that President Biden’s decision is “a bold attempt to seek alternative strategies to overcome geopolitical interests as well as a reminder to world politicians that electoral pledges are responsible commitments to justice and not a means to seek power.”