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PACE MEMBERS CONDEMN KESSAB ATTACKS AS TURKEY DENIES INVOLVEMENT
April 8, 2014 - 14:31 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) condemned violence against Kessab, the north-western
Syrian town predominantly populated by Armenians, Tert.am reported.
The statement, initiated by the PACE Armenian delegation reads, "the
undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly express their grave
concern over the recent escalation of the situation in North-Western
Syria, around the ancient town of Kesab predominantly populated by
Armenians. The recent attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda affiliated
terrorist groups across the border from the territory of Turkey. The
brutal actions, which targeted largely the civilian population,
resulted in forced displacement of local population. The extremist
groups have desecrated Kesab's Armenian churches and caused significant
damage to property of inhabitants. This is a continuing humanitarian
crisis. Bearing in mind an urgent need for the protection of ethnic
and religious minorities, including Armenians in conditions of armed
conflict in Syria, we strongly condemn and consider unacceptable such
use of force against civilian population, regardless of their ethnic
and religious identity.
We strongly urge the Turkish authorities to take immediate measures
to prevent further use of its territory by extremist groups and to
investigate reports on Turkish assistance to terrorist groups.
The international community should undertake resolute efforts to
ensure the safety and security of refugees, including the Armenians,
facilitate conditions for their early, safe and dignified return
to their places of residence and provide indispensable humanitarian
assistance to address their urgent needs."
The statement was signed by 22 members of PACE from Armenia, Spain,
Britain, The Netherlands, Moldova, San Marino, France, Ireland,
Portugal, The Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Greece, Germany.
Also, according to Tert.am., the Chairman of the CoE Committee of
Ministers, Austria Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, noted that remarks
by Armenian MP Naira Zohrabyan on Kessab events must be studied.
"Irrefutable facts show that terrorist groups that crossed the
Turkish border attacked Kessab, and the Armenian population had to be
evacuated. The terrorists desecrated the Armenian churches and looted
Armenian houses. To be saved from genocide, the Kessab Armenians were
evacuated. Video footage shows terrorists crossing Turkey's border
into Syria's Kessab, and Turkish servicemen are among the terrorists.
So Turkish officials' claims they are uninformed of the events are
nothing but manifestations of Turkism.
Any force against civilians irrespective of their ethnicity or religion
must be denounced; PACE must respond to the event in Kessab and demand
Turkey's clear explanations," the Armenian MP stressed.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues denying involvement in the Kessab attacks,
with the country's foreign ministry official labeling the statement
of Armenia's permanent representative to OSCE, ambassador Arman
Kirakosyan as "shameful slander." On March 27, the ambassador stated
that Al-Qaeda militants used Turkey's territory as a springboard for
the Kessab attack, Armenia Today said.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/177768/
April 8, 2014 - 14:31 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) condemned violence against Kessab, the north-western
Syrian town predominantly populated by Armenians, Tert.am reported.
The statement, initiated by the PACE Armenian delegation reads, "the
undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly express their grave
concern over the recent escalation of the situation in North-Western
Syria, around the ancient town of Kesab predominantly populated by
Armenians. The recent attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda affiliated
terrorist groups across the border from the territory of Turkey. The
brutal actions, which targeted largely the civilian population,
resulted in forced displacement of local population. The extremist
groups have desecrated Kesab's Armenian churches and caused significant
damage to property of inhabitants. This is a continuing humanitarian
crisis. Bearing in mind an urgent need for the protection of ethnic
and religious minorities, including Armenians in conditions of armed
conflict in Syria, we strongly condemn and consider unacceptable such
use of force against civilian population, regardless of their ethnic
and religious identity.
We strongly urge the Turkish authorities to take immediate measures
to prevent further use of its territory by extremist groups and to
investigate reports on Turkish assistance to terrorist groups.
The international community should undertake resolute efforts to
ensure the safety and security of refugees, including the Armenians,
facilitate conditions for their early, safe and dignified return
to their places of residence and provide indispensable humanitarian
assistance to address their urgent needs."
The statement was signed by 22 members of PACE from Armenia, Spain,
Britain, The Netherlands, Moldova, San Marino, France, Ireland,
Portugal, The Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Greece, Germany.
Also, according to Tert.am., the Chairman of the CoE Committee of
Ministers, Austria Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, noted that remarks
by Armenian MP Naira Zohrabyan on Kessab events must be studied.
"Irrefutable facts show that terrorist groups that crossed the
Turkish border attacked Kessab, and the Armenian population had to be
evacuated. The terrorists desecrated the Armenian churches and looted
Armenian houses. To be saved from genocide, the Kessab Armenians were
evacuated. Video footage shows terrorists crossing Turkey's border
into Syria's Kessab, and Turkish servicemen are among the terrorists.
So Turkish officials' claims they are uninformed of the events are
nothing but manifestations of Turkism.
Any force against civilians irrespective of their ethnicity or religion
must be denounced; PACE must respond to the event in Kessab and demand
Turkey's clear explanations," the Armenian MP stressed.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues denying involvement in the Kessab attacks,
with the country's foreign ministry official labeling the statement
of Armenia's permanent representative to OSCE, ambassador Arman
Kirakosyan as "shameful slander." On March 27, the ambassador stated
that Al-Qaeda militants used Turkey's territory as a springboard for
the Kessab attack, Armenia Today said.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/177768/