ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH JERUSALEM ALTAR HEAD CALLED UPON ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER TO RAISE BETHLEHEM ARMENIAN CLOISTER SIEGE

PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Jerusalem altar Torgom Manukian has sent a telegram to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling to raise the siege of the Armenian cloister next to the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. As reported by "Arminfo" agency, the message notes that the Armenian cloister is completely independent and has its own exits and gates. 8 monks, who reside in the church, are there. The Armenian cloister is seriously damaged, the message says, and an innocent young monk Armen Sinanian is wounded. The Archbishop expressed fear that in case of escalation of violence, a real tragedy would take place in the region. "We appeal to you calling to solve the problem," - the message of the Armenian Patriarch says.