Page:Documents from the Den of Espionage.djvu/26

 CONFIDENTIAL

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION

SUBJECT: Armenian Leader's Views on Iranian Political Stability

PARTICIPANTS: Diyair Panossian, Armenian Archbishop of Tabriz Der Houanessian Vartan, local businessman and Tabriz delegate to the National Armenian Council. Michael J. Metrinko, American Consulate, Tabriz, Iran

DATE & PLACE: May 20, 19789, The Archbishop's Residence in Tabriz

DISTRIBUTION:

During the course of a four hour conversation and dinner held at the archbishop's residence, Panossian expounded at great length on his fears for Iranian political stability. He claimed he has already voiced his views to the Armenian Catholics and to his own local advisory council, and that since the February events in Tabriz and the spread of violence throughout Iran, both the local Azarbaijan Advisory Council and the National Council in Tehran have begun to take the matter under very serious consideration. In his recent meetings with members of the upper hierarchy in Isfahan and Tehran, proposals for action in the coming troubles were a major topic of discussion. It is no longer a question of "if there is trouble," said the Archbishop, but exactly "when" the trouble will really begin.

Ranossian claimed he has been undergoing a severe trial of conscience in the matter of Iran's future, and especially as it affects the present viability and future of his own episcopal see. At one point the Armenian congregation in the Azerbaijan numbered 200,000 people, he said, and now at the very most there are perhaps 7,000 left. The cultural and historical heritage of the Armenians in this are is immeasurable, even to the extent of Tabriz having been founded by an Armenian king and having gotten its name from the Armenian language. There are countless remnants of the Armenian presence scattered throughout the area, vacant monasteries, churches, old graveyards, etc., and the Archbishop feels a definite responsibility for these historical remains. When he first came to Tabriz, Panossian said he was following instructions and his own urges to try to maintain the Armenian community here as a viable and living one. He has now changed his mind, and albeit with deep regret, is establishing a personal policy of helping his followers to leave Iran. He cannot see any real future here for Armenians or Christians as a whole, and is caught between maintaining a very ancient and valuable religious presence in the Azerbaijan, or thinking about the real safety of his people.