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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Contact: William Bairamian
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]
www.ancawr.org
www.anca.org
www.twitter.com/anca_wr
Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200, Glendale, California 91206
818.500.1918 - [email protected] - www.ancawr.org
March 27, 2014
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Cell: 818.523.8389 or 818.859.2421
Email: [email protected]
Community and Religious Leaders Demand Immediate U.S. Action to Stop
Turkey's Support for al-Qaeda Affiliated Terrorist Group Attacks on
Armenians and Innocent Civilians in Kessab, Syria
What: Armenian American religious and community leaders will be joined by
human rights activists at a press conference to call on President Obama to
press 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. Following the press
conference, the Armenian Youth Federation, Kessab Educational Association
of Los Angeles and community organizations will hold a protest at the same
site.
When: Friday, March 28, 2014, 2:00PM
Where: Outside of Turkish Consulate 6300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
90048
Who: Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian National Committee
of America Western Region; Armenian Youth Federation; Kessab Educational
Association of Los Angeles; Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian
and Community Leaders. Armenian American community members with immediate
family who fled the crisis in Kessab, Syria will be available to speak to
media.
Background:
Armenian Americans from throughout the Southland have united in
speaking out against the recent brutal incursion, launched across the
Turkish border, by al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist groups against the
innocent civilian population of the historically Armenian town of
Kessab, Syria. Many Armenian Americans have heard horrifying accounts
from their relatives, who were forced to flee at a moment's notice to
avoid capture or slaughter by extremist forces.
Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, avoided major battles in the
Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recent
years with the city serving as a safe-haven for those fleeing from the
war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo.
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.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the
Armenian-American communities across the United States have urged
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. They have further requested assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.
Separately, the ANCA has been in communication with members of the
House Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee and
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has issued an action alert to
urge that Congress use its influence to immediately end Turkey's role
in the destruction of Kessab.
Southern California U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman
have already issued statements condemning the al-Qaeda inspired
attacks and urged the State Department to take immediate action.
On Thursday, March 27, 2014, a delegation of Armenian American
community and religious representatives met with the State Department
and submitted a series of requests for prompt U.S. action.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
###
Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Contact: William Bairamian
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]
www.ancawr.org
www.anca.org
www.twitter.com/anca_wr
Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200, Glendale, California 91206
818.500.1918 - [email protected] - www.ancawr.org
March 27, 2014
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Cell: 818.523.8389 or 818.859.2421
Email: [email protected]
Community and Religious Leaders Demand Immediate U.S. Action to Stop
Turkey's Support for al-Qaeda Affiliated Terrorist Group Attacks on
Armenians and Innocent Civilians in Kessab, Syria
What: Armenian American religious and community leaders will be joined by
human rights activists at a press conference to call on President Obama to
press 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. Following the press
conference, the Armenian Youth Federation, Kessab Educational Association
of Los Angeles and community organizations will hold a protest at the same
site.
When: Friday, March 28, 2014, 2:00PM
Where: Outside of Turkish Consulate 6300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
90048
Who: Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian National Committee
of America Western Region; Armenian Youth Federation; Kessab Educational
Association of Los Angeles; Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian
and Community Leaders. Armenian American community members with immediate
family who fled the crisis in Kessab, Syria will be available to speak to
media.
Background:
Armenian Americans from throughout the Southland have united in
speaking out against the recent brutal incursion, launched across the
Turkish border, by al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist groups against the
innocent civilian population of the historically Armenian town of
Kessab, Syria. Many Armenian Americans have heard horrifying accounts
from their relatives, who were forced to flee at a moment's notice to
avoid capture or slaughter by extremist forces.
Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, avoided major battles in the
Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recent
years with the city serving as a safe-haven for those fleeing from the
war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo.
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.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the
Armenian-American communities across the United States have urged
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. They have further requested assistance in directing
need-based humanitarian aid to the victims of the onslaught on Kessab
as soon as possible.
Separately, the ANCA has been in communication with members of the
House Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee and
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has issued an action alert to
urge that Congress use its influence to immediately end Turkey's role
in the destruction of Kessab.
Southern California U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman
have already issued statements condemning the al-Qaeda inspired
attacks and urged the State Department to take immediate action.
On Thursday, March 27, 2014, a delegation of Armenian American
community and religious representatives met with the State Department
and submitted a series of requests for prompt U.S. action.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
###