YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–President Robert Kocharian was scheduled to leave for Damascus Monday night to participate in the funeral of Syrian President Hafez al Assad. Also attending the state funeral for the Syrian leader will be His Holiness Aram I–Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.
The President’s party includes Minister for the Coordination of Industrial infrastructure Activities David Zadoyan–deputies of the National Assembly Gagik Tadevossian–Stepan Zakarian–Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Martirossian–and others.
President Robert Kocharian addressed a telegram of condolences to Bashar Al Assad on the death of Syria’s President Hafez Al Assad:
"It was with deep grief and pain that I learned about the death of Your father–President of Syria Hafez Al Assad. The premature death terminated the life of the greatest political figure of the Syrian people who made a tremendous contribution to the modern history of the Arab world–promoting the establishment of peace and universal prosperity to the glory of the Arabs.
Great is the loss of the political figure who enjoyed such a high international prestige and popularity–who made a valuable contribution to the cause of strengthening Armenian-Arabian friendship and fraternal relations between our two nations.
On my own behalf and on behalf of the Armenian people let me express my deepest condolences to you and other relatives of the deceased as well as to the entire Syrian nation on the death of your leader. Also–I would like to wish you comfort and patience at this difficult time."
In his message to Acting President Bashar al Assad–Catholicos Aram I praised Assad’s accomplishmen’s as a leader–as well as his efforts to stabilize a volatile political situation.
The Catholicos also highlighted Hafez al Assad’s approach to the Armenian communities in Syria and Lebanon–as well as his continued encouragement for the betterment of the Armenian community.