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CANADIAN PM URGED TO CALL UPON TURKEY TO PREVENT ANY INCURSIONS INTO SYRIAN TERRITORY
14:50 25.03.2014
Canada, Kessab, Syria
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada, has addressed a letter to Canada's Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, regarding the situation in Kessab, Syria. The letter reads:
"On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, and Canadians
of Armenian origin, I would like to bring your attention an urgent
matter concerning the Syrian Armenian community of Kassab. As you
may be aware, the Armenian-populated region of Kassab has been the
location of a recent attack in Syrian territory from Turkey by al
Qaeda linked fighters.
Kassab is the last remaining outpost of the medieval Armenian
principality of Cilicia. Kassab has had a constant Armenian population
for almost one thousand years. Although the area has been subject
to many disputes between various countries seeking control and to
significant persecution of its Armenian population during the Ottoman
Empire (including massacres in 1909 and deportation of much of its
population during the Armenian Genocide in 1915), until this week's
evacuation, the Christian population has never had to completely flee
the region.
As we write, al Qaeda members roam the streets of Kassab and the
surrounding Christian and Alawite villages. There are confirmed reports
of armed men raising al Qaeda banners over Armenian churches and
Alawite mosques and making threats to kill all Christians and Alawites
found in those communities. Fortunately, the civilian population
of Kassab was able to flee to Latakia prior to the arrival of these
terrorist- attackers.
This already dire situation is compounded by the fact that these
fighters crossed into Kassab from Turkey and seem to have the tacit
approval of Turkish authorities to carry out this attack. As you can
appreciate, the Armenian population of Kassab, which suffered under
the Ottoman Empire, is especially afraid that these attacks are an
attempt by Turkey to displace the last elements of the indigenous
Armenian population of Cilicia.
We request a meeting to discuss this matter with you in person at
your earliest convenience. In advance of this meeting, recognizing
the urgency of the situation, we have set out our suggestions for
ways in which Canada may act to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe
and help to uphold the international laws of warfare.
We ask that Canada call upon all sides to the conflict to immediately
cease all hostilities in the region and allow the return of the
civilian population. We would hope that this could serve as an example
for the broader conflict as well and help to bring peace to Syria.
Additionally, we ask that Canada call upon Turkey to take all
steps necessary to secure its border and prevent any incursions
into Syrian territory. We also ask Canada to request that Turkey
explicitly disavow its support of all al Qaeda affiliated groups
in the region and to ensure that these groups are expelled from its
territory immediately. We believe that by depriving al Qaeda of its
safe havens and removing the element of religious extremism and ethnic
hatred from the conflict, the Syrian people can choose their destiny
without fear that a change in government would lead to genocide of
its Christian and Alawite population. The Armenian population of
Syria has maintained its neutrality throughout the recent conflict,
but has always made it clear that it can not accept a government
whose stated goal is the elimination of all minorities from Syria.
Finally, we ask that Canada direct a portion of the assistance
allocated for Syrian assistance to the evacuated population of Kassab
which is now living in difficult circumstances.
We commend you for Canada's principled stand on the protection of the
rights of minorities in Syria and for Canada's generous contributions
to help Syria's civilian population and Syrian refugees. We believe
that based on Canada's strong record in this area, Canada and its
allies can play an important role in guaranteeing the safety of
Syria's historically important Christian community and in making
sure that non-combatants are not displaced from their homes by acts
of terrorism contrary to any recognized law of war.
Thank you for all that you have done for the Syrian people and the
Armenian-Canadian community and we hope that you continue to come to
the assistance of a people whose lives are under serious threat."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/25/canadian-pm-urged-to-call-upon-turkey-to-prevent-any-incursions-into-syrian-territory/
14:50 25.03.2014
Canada, Kessab, Syria
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada, has addressed a letter to Canada's Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, regarding the situation in Kessab, Syria. The letter reads:
"On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, and Canadians
of Armenian origin, I would like to bring your attention an urgent
matter concerning the Syrian Armenian community of Kassab. As you
may be aware, the Armenian-populated region of Kassab has been the
location of a recent attack in Syrian territory from Turkey by al
Qaeda linked fighters.
Kassab is the last remaining outpost of the medieval Armenian
principality of Cilicia. Kassab has had a constant Armenian population
for almost one thousand years. Although the area has been subject
to many disputes between various countries seeking control and to
significant persecution of its Armenian population during the Ottoman
Empire (including massacres in 1909 and deportation of much of its
population during the Armenian Genocide in 1915), until this week's
evacuation, the Christian population has never had to completely flee
the region.
As we write, al Qaeda members roam the streets of Kassab and the
surrounding Christian and Alawite villages. There are confirmed reports
of armed men raising al Qaeda banners over Armenian churches and
Alawite mosques and making threats to kill all Christians and Alawites
found in those communities. Fortunately, the civilian population
of Kassab was able to flee to Latakia prior to the arrival of these
terrorist- attackers.
This already dire situation is compounded by the fact that these
fighters crossed into Kassab from Turkey and seem to have the tacit
approval of Turkish authorities to carry out this attack. As you can
appreciate, the Armenian population of Kassab, which suffered under
the Ottoman Empire, is especially afraid that these attacks are an
attempt by Turkey to displace the last elements of the indigenous
Armenian population of Cilicia.
We request a meeting to discuss this matter with you in person at
your earliest convenience. In advance of this meeting, recognizing
the urgency of the situation, we have set out our suggestions for
ways in which Canada may act to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe
and help to uphold the international laws of warfare.
We ask that Canada call upon all sides to the conflict to immediately
cease all hostilities in the region and allow the return of the
civilian population. We would hope that this could serve as an example
for the broader conflict as well and help to bring peace to Syria.
Additionally, we ask that Canada call upon Turkey to take all
steps necessary to secure its border and prevent any incursions
into Syrian territory. We also ask Canada to request that Turkey
explicitly disavow its support of all al Qaeda affiliated groups
in the region and to ensure that these groups are expelled from its
territory immediately. We believe that by depriving al Qaeda of its
safe havens and removing the element of religious extremism and ethnic
hatred from the conflict, the Syrian people can choose their destiny
without fear that a change in government would lead to genocide of
its Christian and Alawite population. The Armenian population of
Syria has maintained its neutrality throughout the recent conflict,
but has always made it clear that it can not accept a government
whose stated goal is the elimination of all minorities from Syria.
Finally, we ask that Canada direct a portion of the assistance
allocated for Syrian assistance to the evacuated population of Kassab
which is now living in difficult circumstances.
We commend you for Canada's principled stand on the protection of the
rights of minorities in Syria and for Canada's generous contributions
to help Syria's civilian population and Syrian refugees. We believe
that based on Canada's strong record in this area, Canada and its
allies can play an important role in guaranteeing the safety of
Syria's historically important Christian community and in making
sure that non-combatants are not displaced from their homes by acts
of terrorism contrary to any recognized law of war.
Thank you for all that you have done for the Syrian people and the
Armenian-Canadian community and we hope that you continue to come to
the assistance of a people whose lives are under serious threat."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/25/canadian-pm-urged-to-call-upon-turkey-to-prevent-any-incursions-into-syrian-territory/