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ANCA DEMANDS WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO STOP ATTACKS ON KESSAB
Monday, March 24th, 2014 | Posted by Contributor
The Missakian Armenian Cultural Center in Kessab
WASHINGTON--The Armenian National Committee of America has called
on President Obama and Congress to press Turkey to stop facilitating
the attacks by extremist foreign fighters on the northwestern Syrian
town of Kessab, whose predominantly civilian Armenian population was
forced to evacuate to avoid slaughter earlier this weekend.
In a strongly worded letter issued this morning, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian called on President Obama to direct his Secretary of State,
the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his Ambassador to the United Nations
to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on Kessab that
have forced the immediate civilian evacuation of the area and led to
the looting of properties and the desecration of churches.
Separately, the ANCA has been in communication with members of the
House Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee
and Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the weekend to urge that
Congress use its influence to immediately end Turkey's role in the
destruction of Kessab.
"The attacks on the predominantly Armenian populated village of
Kessab over the weekend represent an attack on all Armenians,"
remarked ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "The Armenian American community
stands united in seeking to reverse the events of the last several
days, which has seen militant extremists stream into Kessab from
Turkey. We are strongly urging our government, led by President Obama
and Congressional leaders, to send a firm message to Ankara that the
safe haven and safe passage being offered to these militant groups
intent on destroying Kessab must end." Hachikian added.
Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, evaded major battles in
the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in
recently years with the city serving as safe-haven for those fleeing
from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On the morning
of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on
Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia and Bassit.
The ANCA will be working with a vast network of supporters across the
United States this week to effectively address the ongoing crisis in
Kessab, Syria.
Following is the text of Hachikian's letter to President Obama.
March 24, 2014
President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to urgently request your leadership in pressing our
NATO ally, Turkey, to stop facilitating ongoing attacks by Al-Qaeda
affiliated foreign fighters against the civilian population of the
predominantly Armenian region of Kessab, Syria.
Over the weekend, the ANCA has received urgent appeals from Americans
in cities across the United States gravely concerned about family
members and friends in Kessab, a historically Christian Armenian
region in Syria, which borders Turkey. The area had been relatively
peaceful until March 21st, when Turkey reportedly allowed hundreds of
radical foreign fighters to cross its border and attack the civilian
population. ABC and CBS news are reporting that the extremists are
part of the al-Nusra Front, which is a wing of al-Qaeda, a United
States designated terrorist group.
Within days of the onslaught launched from Turkey, nearly the entire
population of Christian Armenians has fled to neighboring Latakia
and Bassit to avoid slaughter. Civilians, who were not able to flee,
have reportedly been taken hostage, while churches and homes are being
systematically desecrated and looted. Further, there are reports that
injured extremists are returning to Turkey for medical treatment.
Turkey's facilitation of al-Qaeda affiliated foreign fighters and
their attacks on innocent civilians in Syria undermines ongoing U.S.
and international efforts to bring peace to a country ravaged by
violence for far too long. For Armenians in the region and around
the world, Turkey's actions are a horrifying and bitter reminder
of the genocide committed against the Armenian, Pontian and Syriac
communities by Ottoman Turkish authorities from 1915-1923.
The United States has the power to stop Turkey's provocations and
assistance to these radical groups and send a clear message that
targeted military strikes against innocent civilians is unacceptable
under any circumstances and a clear violation of international law. We
call on you to direct Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Ambassador
to the Republic of Turkey Francis Ricciardone, and U.S. Ambassador to
the United Nations Samantha Power to immediately press Turkey to stop
facilitating attacks on civilians in Kessab and investigate Turkey's
reported assistance to foreign fighters associated with U.S.-designated
terrorist groups. We, furthermore, ask your assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.
Given the urgent nature of the situation facing the civilian population
in Kessab, we look forward to engaging with senior officials of your
administration without delay to address this matter.
Thank you for your prompt attention to the serious human rights crisis
of critical concern to Americans of Armenian descent and their family
members in Kessab, Syria.
Sincerely, Ken Hachikian Chairman
http://asbarez.com/121014/anca-demands-white-house-and-congressional-action-to-stop-attacks-on-kessab/
From: Baghdasarian
Monday, March 24th, 2014 | Posted by Contributor
The Missakian Armenian Cultural Center in Kessab
WASHINGTON--The Armenian National Committee of America has called
on President Obama and Congress to press Turkey to stop facilitating
the attacks by extremist foreign fighters on the northwestern Syrian
town of Kessab, whose predominantly civilian Armenian population was
forced to evacuate to avoid slaughter earlier this weekend.
In a strongly worded letter issued this morning, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian called on President Obama to direct his Secretary of State,
the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his Ambassador to the United Nations
to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on Kessab that
have forced the immediate civilian evacuation of the area and led to
the looting of properties and the desecration of churches.
Separately, the ANCA has been in communication with members of the
House Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee
and Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the weekend to urge that
Congress use its influence to immediately end Turkey's role in the
destruction of Kessab.
"The attacks on the predominantly Armenian populated village of
Kessab over the weekend represent an attack on all Armenians,"
remarked ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "The Armenian American community
stands united in seeking to reverse the events of the last several
days, which has seen militant extremists stream into Kessab from
Turkey. We are strongly urging our government, led by President Obama
and Congressional leaders, to send a firm message to Ankara that the
safe haven and safe passage being offered to these militant groups
intent on destroying Kessab must end." Hachikian added.
Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, evaded major battles in
the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in
recently years with the city serving as safe-haven for those fleeing
from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On the morning
of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on
Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia and Bassit.
The ANCA will be working with a vast network of supporters across the
United States this week to effectively address the ongoing crisis in
Kessab, Syria.
Following is the text of Hachikian's letter to President Obama.
March 24, 2014
President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to urgently request your leadership in pressing our
NATO ally, Turkey, to stop facilitating ongoing attacks by Al-Qaeda
affiliated foreign fighters against the civilian population of the
predominantly Armenian region of Kessab, Syria.
Over the weekend, the ANCA has received urgent appeals from Americans
in cities across the United States gravely concerned about family
members and friends in Kessab, a historically Christian Armenian
region in Syria, which borders Turkey. The area had been relatively
peaceful until March 21st, when Turkey reportedly allowed hundreds of
radical foreign fighters to cross its border and attack the civilian
population. ABC and CBS news are reporting that the extremists are
part of the al-Nusra Front, which is a wing of al-Qaeda, a United
States designated terrorist group.
Within days of the onslaught launched from Turkey, nearly the entire
population of Christian Armenians has fled to neighboring Latakia
and Bassit to avoid slaughter. Civilians, who were not able to flee,
have reportedly been taken hostage, while churches and homes are being
systematically desecrated and looted. Further, there are reports that
injured extremists are returning to Turkey for medical treatment.
Turkey's facilitation of al-Qaeda affiliated foreign fighters and
their attacks on innocent civilians in Syria undermines ongoing U.S.
and international efforts to bring peace to a country ravaged by
violence for far too long. For Armenians in the region and around
the world, Turkey's actions are a horrifying and bitter reminder
of the genocide committed against the Armenian, Pontian and Syriac
communities by Ottoman Turkish authorities from 1915-1923.
The United States has the power to stop Turkey's provocations and
assistance to these radical groups and send a clear message that
targeted military strikes against innocent civilians is unacceptable
under any circumstances and a clear violation of international law. We
call on you to direct Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Ambassador
to the Republic of Turkey Francis Ricciardone, and U.S. Ambassador to
the United Nations Samantha Power to immediately press Turkey to stop
facilitating attacks on civilians in Kessab and investigate Turkey's
reported assistance to foreign fighters associated with U.S.-designated
terrorist groups. We, furthermore, ask your assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.
Given the urgent nature of the situation facing the civilian population
in Kessab, we look forward to engaging with senior officials of your
administration without delay to address this matter.
Thank you for your prompt attention to the serious human rights crisis
of critical concern to Americans of Armenian descent and their family
members in Kessab, Syria.
Sincerely, Ken Hachikian Chairman
http://asbarez.com/121014/anca-demands-white-house-and-congressional-action-to-stop-attacks-on-kessab/
From: Baghdasarian