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Syrian-Armenians to face difficult plight - expert
tert.am
17:58 - 05.10.12
The Syrian-Armenians are in a complicated situation and likely to face
a difficult plight, according to a Turkish studies expert.
At a news conference on Friday, Artak Shakaryan, a senior research
fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, said the
Armenians' neutrality is very right in the present circumstances.
`It is very good that they maintain neutrality. We saw Armenians earn
a great respect, observing neutrality during the Lebanon civil war,'
he said. `Deep in their hearts, however, the Syrian-Armenians take
sides with Assad who was kinder and milder to them. They are confident
that the radical Sunnis will take stricter stance on them once they
come to power.'
Recent clashes on the Turkish-Syrian border claimed the lives of five
Turks in the Akcale town after a mine released by the armed groups
reached the Turkish territory. Syria extended its condolences to the
families of the deceased, promising to launch a probe into the
incident.
The Turkish parliament later approved a legal measure authorizing its
military to invade Syria and launch military operations in the country
in case of a possible threat.
As for developments ensuing from such operations, the Armenian expert
said it is hard to predict an outcome, as Turkish soldiers' presence
on the Syrian territory would be at least an emotional blow to the
local Armenians whose ancestors survived the Genocide.
According to him, there are analyses suggesting that the Armenians can
find grounds of cooperation with Turkey which will very likely seek
stability in Syria. But he said NATO's total invasion would make the
community face the same fate as the Iraqi-Armenians.
`The Republic of Armenia is not unfortunately quite ready extend
support to the Syrian-Armenians and help solve their problems. We
didn't manage to take a definite step or adopt any approach then. Some
say they have to stay as our community there is very essential, while
others call for helping them flee because they are eventually
annihilate,' the expert added.
tert.am
17:58 - 05.10.12
The Syrian-Armenians are in a complicated situation and likely to face
a difficult plight, according to a Turkish studies expert.
At a news conference on Friday, Artak Shakaryan, a senior research
fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, said the
Armenians' neutrality is very right in the present circumstances.
`It is very good that they maintain neutrality. We saw Armenians earn
a great respect, observing neutrality during the Lebanon civil war,'
he said. `Deep in their hearts, however, the Syrian-Armenians take
sides with Assad who was kinder and milder to them. They are confident
that the radical Sunnis will take stricter stance on them once they
come to power.'
Recent clashes on the Turkish-Syrian border claimed the lives of five
Turks in the Akcale town after a mine released by the armed groups
reached the Turkish territory. Syria extended its condolences to the
families of the deceased, promising to launch a probe into the
incident.
The Turkish parliament later approved a legal measure authorizing its
military to invade Syria and launch military operations in the country
in case of a possible threat.
As for developments ensuing from such operations, the Armenian expert
said it is hard to predict an outcome, as Turkish soldiers' presence
on the Syrian territory would be at least an emotional blow to the
local Armenians whose ancestors survived the Genocide.
According to him, there are analyses suggesting that the Armenians can
find grounds of cooperation with Turkey which will very likely seek
stability in Syria. But he said NATO's total invasion would make the
community face the same fate as the Iraqi-Armenians.
`The Republic of Armenia is not unfortunately quite ready extend
support to the Syrian-Armenians and help solve their problems. We
didn't manage to take a definite step or adopt any approach then. Some
say they have to stay as our community there is very essential, while
others call for helping them flee because they are eventually
annihilate,' the expert added.