ANN/GROONG - Primate's Condolence letter to Pres Kocharian

In Aftermath of Assassinations, Abp. Khajag Barsamian Expresses Condolences
to Armenian Pres. Kocharian on Behalf of Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America

What follows is the English text of an Armenian-language condolence letter
sent by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America, to Mr. Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of
Armenia, following last Wednesday's tragedy in the Armenian Parliament.

* * *

October 29, 1999

His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President of the Republic of Armenia

Your Excellency:

The events of Wednesday, October 27, 1999 have left the entire Armenian
world shaken and filled with sorrow. I am writing to express to you, Mr.
President, and to the citizens of Armenia the condolences of myself and the
entire Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, on the occasion of this
dreadful tragedy in our national life.

The world of one week ago seems very far away. Today, we stand in a shadow
of death and destruction, and all of usas a nation, as a people, as
individual soulsare aware that we have passed through a life-changing
event. The Scriptures speak to us with special force and meaning:

"I have seen violence and strife in the city; mischief also and sorrow are
in the midst of it. For it was not an enemy that reproached methat I could
have bornebut a man mine equal and of my acquaintance . . . . As for me, I
will call upon God. Evening, morning and noon will I pray, and cry
aloud. And He shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:9-17)

We deplore the cowardly act, which did violence not only to the departed
individuals and their families, but also to the causes of peace and
civilization, which have always been hallmarks of the Armenian heritage.

Yet we pray that God in His mercy will allow a greater good to emerge from
this episode. We ask Him to grant our eyes greater clarity, so that our
vision can penetrate the darkness. Indeed, already one thing is more clear
than ever before: the need for all Armenians of good will to unite around
the lawful institutions of free, republican governance. As the chief
executive of that government, all of our people will look to you, President
Kocharian, for leadership in the coming days.

Above all, as the Scripture suggests, we must call upon Godmorning, noon
and night. We must offer our prayers not as isolated, divided individuals,
but as a people, united in heart and soul. Today we are united in
confusion and sorrow. But every day finds us united in our hope for the
future of the Armenian nation.

It is in that spirit of hope that we must call out to our Lord. He shall
hear our voice.

With deepest sympathy and prayers,

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate

--11/1/99