PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2014
Armenian Assembly of America
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: taniel@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST ARMENIANS IN SYRIA
Assembly Urges President Obama to Safeguard the Armenians of Kessab
Washington, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) condemns the
attacks on Armenian communities in Syria and the greater Middle East,
including the seizure and desecration of ancient Armenian religious
sanctuaries. The Assembly is particularly concerned that the extremists
crossed the Syrian border from Turkey and attacked Kessab.
In its March 24th letter to President Obama, the Assembly called upon the
Administration to safeguard Christian Armenians, not only in Kessab, Syria,
but throughout Syria and the Middle East.
“We call on President Obama to take all steps necessary to not only
safeguard the Christian Armenian community of Kessab, but to increase
efforts in coordination with the United Nations to ensure that all minority
communities are afforded greater protection. In addition, we urge President
Obama to make it publicly clear that the United States will not tolerate
its NATO ally’s policy of providing support to extremist groups,” the
Assembly’s letter to President Obama stated.
“For Armenian Americans, current images of Armenian homes being looted and
occupied in Kessab, and innocent lives tragically lost, invoke painful
memories of the early phases of the first genocide of the 20th century at
the hands of Ottoman Turks,” read the Assembly letter.
The Assembly, for its part, has and will continue to reach out directly to
Members of Congress and the Obama Administration urging that the Christian
Armenian community in Kessab be safeguarded. In addition, the Assembly has
urged the Administration to redouble its overall humanitarian efforts for
Syria’s Christian and minority refugees and displaced.
“The Assembly will continue to press for action with an urgent appeal for
immediate relief and assistance to the Armenians of Kessab,” added Ardouny.
The Assembly letter to President Obama is available here:
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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NR: # 2014-010
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress