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U.S. Congressmen hold press conference on Kessab (video) #savekessab

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PanARMENIAN.Net – With the U.S. Capitol looming large in the background, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) led a Congressional press conference condemning the forced 177801depopulation of the historically Armenian city of Kessab, Syria by al Qaeda affiliated terrorists aided and abetted by neighboring Turkey, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Congressman Schiff was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA), as well as ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian in calling for increased U.S. leadership in assisting those displaced and investigating Turkey’s role in facilitating the attack.

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian thanked each of the legislators taking part in the news conference, stressing that: “These attacks came from Turkey, with the clear support of the Turkish military. We should have a zero-tolerance policy for any NATO ally working with Al-Qaeda-linked groups to attack religious minorities. It’s for this reason, that we support calls upon the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate Turkey’s role in the attack on Kessab. We deserve to know if our allies – and possibly our arms – are being turned against Christians in the Middle East,” concluded Hamparian.

“Since the war began, I have continually raised my concern over the dangers facing Syrians of Armenian descent and other Christians,” explained Rep. Schiff. “I have spoken to the President about this directly, questioned our ambassador to the United Nations about this just last week, and urged the Appropriations Committee, on which I sit, to devote time, attention and resources to aiding Syria’s Christian community. In fact, this afternoon, I will be asking USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah about our efforts to reach the Christian communities still inside Syria.” Rep. Schiff went on to point out that “Many of the residents of Kessab are descendants of victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. There is particular poignancy to their being targeted in this manner, almost a century after the start of the genocide.”

Rep. Sherman was direct in his call for an investigation into Turkey’s role in the Kessab attacks. “I want to join with several of my colleagues in urging that the intelligence community and the State Department provide a classified briefing on what was Turkey’s role in assisting and providing shelter to al Qaeda linked terrorists who carried out this ethnic cleansing of the town of Kessab,” explained Rep. Sherman. “I also urge the State Department to go further than acknowledging a terrible situation and provide us with a clear, and I think it would have to be classified, description of how an Al-Qaeda linked group was able to enter Syria from Turkey, on a mission of ethnic cleansing, ” concluded Rep. Sherman.

“Over the past three years, the Syrian Christians have paid a high price in this civil war, and up until the last month, Kessab has been a safe haven for those seeking refuge,” noted Rep. Costa. “What’s even more troubling for me is the reports that the Turkish government has aided these terrorists by supplying them military support and supplies. And that’s why, I think it is incumbent upon those of us in Congress who care deeply about this issue, to provide the leadership, to speak out, and to ensure that our government provides the accountability necessary to get to the bottom of this.”

“I can’t help but think, ‘here we are again,” began Rep. Anna Eshoo. “Wherever there has been war across the Middle East, Christians have been targeted and have suffered enormously. And the recent rebel assault on the northern Syrian town of Kessab is yet another sad, sad chapter in what is taking place in the Middle East. And make no mistake, these communities, in this case the Armenians, are targeted because they are Christians and now they are residents on the chessboard of international politics. And as we anticipate almost the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide – it’s like ripping a scab off a wound. It runs very deep, it runs very broad,” concluded Congresswoman Eshoo.

“We see time and time again that it is the Christian minority, including the Armenian community, that is especially vulnerable,” noted Rep. Chu. “This was made tragically clear last month when Islamic militants from Turkey crossed the Syrian Turkish border and attacked the community in Kessab. It’s a city of refuge for Armenians fleeing the Armenian Genocide. It’s where Armenian Genocide survivors started a new life. This city served as a refuge for Syrian Armenians escaping the violence in Aleppo. Seeing this violence now is an unspeakable tragedy. […] Let’s return Kessab to a place of hope that it has been for the Armenian community for so many years,” concluded Rep. Chu.

“I think the U.S. has to be more involved in providing more help for not only Armenians but other Christians in Syria who are basically being harassed and persecuted and forced from their homes, because of the civil war,” explained Congressman Pallone. “One of the things that we did was that we wrote to the Appropriators and asked that sufficient help be given to the Armenians and other Christians for humanitarian purposes, because we know that while this incident, Kessab, is probably the most horrendous right now, there are other Armenians and Christians throughout Syria that had to flee their homes, that had been killed, and subject to loss of property and all sorts of other problems because of the civil war.”

Syria false flag could have triggered WWIII: Analyst

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The United States was close to initiating World War III last year following a “false-flag” provocation over a deadly chemical attack in Syria, an analyst writes in a column for the Press TV 357711_Syria-chemicalwebsite.

Kevin Barrett’s analysis comes against the backdrop of revelations that last August’s al-Ghouta chemical weapons attack in Syria was a false flag provocation.

“The false flag operation at al-Ghouta failed…We avoided the wider Mideast war, and possible World War III that might have resulted had the al-Ghouta deception succeeded,” he wrote.

“In reality, the attack was conducted by the enemies of the Syrian government. It was designed to deceive the world into bombing Syria. And it almost worked,” the analyst said.

Barrett said a US-led invasion of Syria last year “could have killed millions” of people.

He described “false-flag plots” as “crimes against humanity”, saying impunity for the perpetrators of the al-Ghouta chemical attack is “a mockery of international law.”

“The culprits of al-Ghouta… must be prosecuted and punished, in order to put the fear of God into those who would consider perpetrating such deceptions in the future,” he wrote.

By the time of the attack, the US and some of its allies blamed Damascus for the chemical attack on Ghouta. However, the Syrian government strongly denied the accusation, saying the attack was carried out by the militants operating inside the country to draw in foreign intervention.

“Exposing false flag operations to the fullest possible extent could be the salvation of humanity; while failing to do so could sound the death knell of our species,” Barrett wrote.

Over 130,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants in Syria.

Source: Presstv.com

Turkish Activist to Keynote Congressional Remembrance of Armenian Genocide

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zarakolu3Ragip Zarakolu has Faced Persecution and Imprisonment for Advocating Truth and Justice for the Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON—Ragip Zarakolu, a world-renowned Turkish dissident who has been persecuted and imprisoned for his principled stand for recognition and reparations for the Armenian Genocide, will be the featured speaker at this year’s April 9th Capitol Hill remembrance of the 99th anniversary of this crime against all humanity.

This year’s observance, hosted by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and supported by the Armenian Embassy, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s office in Washington, and Armenian American organizations, will take place in the historic Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building — Room 2168 from 6 to 8 pm on the evening of Wednesday, April 9th.

“We welcome Ragip Zarakolu to America and look forward to his remarks on Capitol Hill, at the April 9th Congressional remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Mr. Zarakolu represents the small but growing civil society movement within Turkey that – despite persecution, imprisonment, and even threats of assassination – is working to end their own government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and to help build a better future based upon a truthful and just resolution of this still unpunished crime. It is this courageous message of truth and justice — not the official genocide denials of Turkish government — that should be encouraged and empowered by President Obama.

Zarakolu is the longtime director of the Belge Publishing House, which has, since the early 1970s, courageously challenged legal restrictions (including the infamous Article 301 of the Criminal Code) and violent threats against public discourse about the Armenian Genocide, Kurdish issues, minority rights in Turkey, and other banned topics. Several titles published by Belge deal directly with the Armenian Genocide, a principled stand that has resulted in him being targeted by official prosecution, death threats, and even assassination attempts.

He serves as chair of the Freedom to Publish Committee of the Turkish Publishers Association, is a leader member of the Turkish PEN Center. He was awarded the PEN Free Expression Award in 2003 and the IPA Freedom to Publish Prize in 2008.

US senators introduce resolution calling for Armenian Genocide recognition

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April 04, 2014 | 15:41

202678US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and Senator Mark Kirk introduced legislation, Thursday, calling upon the United States President to work toward an Armenian-Turkish relationship based on Turkey’s truthful acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Senators Barbara Boxer and Ed Markey have already joined in as original cosponsors of the human rights measure.
“The ANCA thanks Senators Menendez and Kirk for spearheading this forward-looking Armenian Genocide measure,” specifically said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “On the eve of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we look forward to supporting the efforts of our Senate friends to pass this vital genocide prevention measure.”

In a statement issued upon introduction, Chairman Menendez noted, in particular, “The Armenian Genocide is a horrifying factual reality that can never be denied. This resolution reaffirms in the strongest terms that we will always remember this tragedy. The Armenian Genocide must be taught, recognized, and commemorated to prevent the re-occurrence of similar atrocities from ever happening again.”

Senator Kirk concurred specifically noting, “To honor the survivors and the memory of those lost, and to lead globally on human rights, the United States should finally join the European Union and 11 of our NATO allies in officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide.”

Russia wants answers on NATO troop movement in Eastern Europe

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Russia expects detailed explanations from NATO regarding expanding its military presence in Eastern Europe, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The statement comes after NATO bloc announced boosting its polandmilitary presence in the area.

“We have addressed questions to the North Atlantic military alliance. We are not only expecting answers, but answers that will be based fully on respect for the rules we agreed on,” Lavrov told reports at a joint briefing with Kazakhstan’s FM Yerlan Idrisov.

However, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he had not received any questions from Moscow.
In response he called Russian accusations about NATO’s actions “propaganda and disinformation.”

He denied that NATO was violating the 1997 treaty on NATO-Russian cooperation by boosting its forces in Eastern Europe.

The accusations by Russia, he said, are based “on a wrong interpretation” of a fundamental act of the 1997 treaty on NATO-Russian cooperation, in which NATO vowed to provide collective defense by using reinforcements rather than by additional permanent stationing of substantial combat forces at regular bases.

Lavrov’s statement came after the NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said the bloc will deploy more troops to Eastern Europe. According to him, NATO is considering “revised operational plans, military maneuvers and adequate troop reinforcements.” This military buildup was approved by many eastern European countries. On April 1, Polish PM Donald Tusk praised the NATO presence in the country.

After the announcement of deploying troops in Ukraine, NATO also said that it is suspending all military and civilian cooperation with Russia over the Ukrainian crisis, a move that was immediately blasted by Moscow who said that neither Russia, not NATO would benefit from such a step. Russia called this move reminiscent of Cold War language.

Lavrov also called upon the world’s powers to abide by the rules of the Montreux Convention, which allows a warship of any non-Black Sea country to stay in the region for only 21 day.

“US warships have recently extended their presence in the Black Sea several times,” he said, “This extension didn’t always obey the rules of the Montreux Convention.”

The statement comes after the USS Truxtun destroyer started a military exercises in March with the Bulgarian and Romanian navies a few hundred miles from Russian forces of the Black Sea Fleet.

Meanwhile, Lavrov also responded to Western criticism over the presence of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine, saying that the EU and Kiev should not stir up a conflict surrounding Russian drills launched in the south of the country.

According to the Russian FM, Russia had the right to move forces on its territory, and furthermore the troops would return to their permanent bases after completing military exercises.

“There are no restrictions on Russia’s troop displacement on Russian territory,” he said.

In March, Russia’s Defense Ministry launched artillery drills in the southern military district, which involved some 8,500 troops and a large amount of hardware. It coincided with war games conducted by the country’s Airborne Troops.

Although Russia has repeatedly denied any troop build-up on the borders with Ukraine, as well as plans to send any troops into Ukraine, the West has been turning a deaf ear to the claims.

Lavrov also commented on the crisis situation in Ukraine, saying that all its regions should be taking part in the constitutional process.

“We are all convinced that constitutional reform should be proper, not “cosmetic,” it is necessary to stabilize the situation in Ukraine and overcome the crisis,” he added.

According to Lavrov, it is necessary to remind the Ukrainian authorities that constitutional reform was written in the February-21 agreement on the crisis settlement, which was signed by ousted president Yanukovich and opposition leaders, including Arseny Yatsenyuk and Vladimir Klitschko, on ending the political crisis in the country. The agreement was witnessed by EU foreign ministers from Germany and Poland.

Armenian Americans in San Diego Rally For 2014 ANCA Telethon

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sandiegoANCA Boardmember Raffi Hamparian, ANCA Telethon Committee Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Long Time ANCA activists Jack and Cynthia Andonian, and ANCA Endowment Fund Chairman Ken Hachikian

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—With a positive spirit of support and activism, a broad and diverse group of Armenian Americans gathered at the home of John and Cynthia Andonian in Rancho Santa Fe, California on Sunday, March 30. The reception was the first in a series of planned gatherings to mark the run-up to the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Telethon 2014 that will be aired in most major American cities.

“We are deeply grateful to John and Cynthia Andonian for their brilliant hospitality in hosting a great event in support of the ANCA,” remarked ANCA National Chairman Ken Hachikian. “As a grassroots organization, we depend on distinguished stakeholders, like the Andonian family, to drive our common cause forward. I am grateful for the many generous donors, who live in and around the San Diego area, for making our first ANCA Telethon 2014 gathering a full success,” Hachikian added. The gathering was also attended by ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian, ANCA Telethon 2014 Executive Committee member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian and longtime ANCA backers from the Los Angeles area, Mher and Sossy Tavidian.

The ANCA Telethon 2014 is a nationwide fundraising campaign designed to empower Armenian Americans, protect Armenia and promote the Armenian Cause throughout the United States. The gathering in San Diego is part of a coordinated and major grassroots effort, featuring community events and a social networking campaign that will lead up to June 1, 2014, when the 6-hour telethon will be aired in major markets across the United States. The ANCA Telethon 2014 will be on air in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, among other major American cities, with full schedule and channel information slated to be released in the coming weeks.

In support of the ANCA Telethon 2014, countless organizations, volunteers, churches, community leaders, performing artists, politicians will be coming together to highlight the successes of the ANCA in advancing the Armenian Cause in Washington, DC and across the United States. The telethon will feature several documentaries focused on the work of the organization and the volunteers whose grassroots efforts have made the ANCA a strong and universally respected voice for the Armenian Cause.

The US and Russia concerned by the fate of the Armenians Kessab

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Outdoor Ukrainian crisis, the United States and Russia have made statements expressing concern about the fate of Armenian-populated city in Syria that has arton98550-480x270been the subject of attacks by Islamist militants in recent days.

At a daily briefing in Washington on Friday, the deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States was “deeply troubled by the recent fighting and violence that endangers the Armenian community Kessab, Syria, and forced many to flee. ”

Over 600 Armenian families fled their homes in the city in northwestern Syria after the arrival of armed groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda. Armenians fled Latakia, about 60 miles south.

“There are too many innocent civilians who are suffering because of the war. All civilians, and their places of worship, must be protected. As we have said throughout this conflict, we deplore the constant threats against Christians and other minorities in Syria, “she said. “And as you can see from reading the conversation of President Obama with Pope Francis Thursday, they discussed among others the fate of minorities, especially Christians, in Syria today . ”

Marie Harf also cited statements made by advocacy groups to Kessab saying they do not target civilians and respect minorities and holy places. “We expect that these commitments are met. The United States will continue to lead a strong support to those affected by the violence in Syria and throughout the region, including the Syrian Armenians. We have long been concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists, and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this new, “said Harf.

This statement was followed by an exchange with a journalist who attended the meeting.

He said: “According to reports in Turkey, Foreign Minister Davutoglu planned provocation inside Syria, giving an excuse for Turkey to invade the country. ‘Did you comments “Having said that it was an alleged telephone conversation, the deputy spokesman said:” As I said on Thursday, I have nothing for you on calls or alleged conversations that are among Turkish officials. ”

“But Mr Davutoglu said … that the tape is authentic. “At that statement, Harf said,” Again, I will not comment on these allegations. ”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has also issued a statement on Friday expressing concern over the attacks against the Armenian-populated city Kessab conducted with the support of artillery and heavy equipment. He strongly condemned the acts of terrorism and other crimes against civilians, clearly indicating that the tank guns were applied from the territory of Turkey.

“The seizure by extremists City Kessab has attracted wide coverage in the Armenian communities worldwide. A demonstration was held in front of the UN office in Yerevan. At the same time, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia expressed their gratitude to the Syrian government for the defense of the Armenian population, “said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“The impression is that the more vigorous activities by extremists seek to prevent the resumption of intra-Syrian negotiations, leaving the Syrians the possibility of a political and diplomatic settlement. They aim to thwart the process of chemical demilitarization Syria. Such a scenario is inadmissible, “said he added.

Monday, March 31, 2014, Claire © armenews.com

ONCE A MODEL, BAGHDAD NOW WORLD’S WORST CITY

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AFP

As recent as the 1970s, Baghdad was lauded as a model city in the Arab world. But now, after decades of seemingly endless conflict, it is the world’s worst city, BAGDAD Lastaccording to the Mercer consulting group.

BAGHDAD — Mercer assessed the quality of life in 239 cities, measuring factors including political stability, crime and pollution and placed Baghdad last.

The Iraqi capital was lumped with Bangui in the conflict-hit Central African Republic and the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, the latest confirmation of the 1,250-year-old city’s fall from grace as a global intellectual, economic and political center.

Residents of Baghdad are forced to deal with near-daily attacks, shortages of electricity and clean water, poor sewerage and drainage systems, rampant corruption, regular gridlock, high unemployment and a myriad other problems. “We live in a military barracks,” complained Hamid al-Daraji, a paper salesman, referring to the ubiquitous checkpoints, concrete blast walls and security forces peppered throughout the city. “The rich and the poor share the same suffering,” the 48-year-old continued. “The rich might be subjected at any moment to an explosion, a kidnapping, or a killing, just like the poor. Our lives are ones where we face death at any moment.”It was not always so for the Iraqi capital.

Construction of the city on the Tigris River first began in 762 during the rule of Abbasid caliph Abu Jaafar al-Mansour and it played a pivotal role in Arab and Islamic society since. In the 20th century, Baghdad was held up as a gleaming example of a modern Arab city with some of the region’s best universities and museums, a highly-educated elite, a vibrant cultural scene and top-notch healthcare.
Officials still note how their counterparts from the region would point to Baghdad’s international airport as a model. Oil cartel Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in the Iraqi capital.

And it was home to a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, Jews and others. “Baghdad represented the economic center of the Abbasid state,” noted Issam al-Faili, a professor of political history at the city’s Mustansiriyah University, an institution that traces its own history back nearly 800 years. “It was used as a base for taking control of neighboring areas in order to strengthen Islamic influence. It used to be a capital of the world,” Faili said, “but today, it has become one of the world’s most miserable cities.”In February alone, 57 violent incidents struck the Iraqi capital, including 31 car bombs.

As recently as March 5, a dozen shootings and bombings across the city killed 20 people. The very next day, four more bombings left 11 dead.Security forces typically respond with heavy-handed tactics reliant on setting up new checkpoints to add to the plethora already scattered around Baghdad and restricting movement as much as possible.

Massive concrete walls, designed to withstand the impact of explosions, still divide up confessionallymixed neighborhoods, while the government sits in the heavily-fortified Green Zone, which is also home to parliament and the U.S. and British Embassies, access to which is difficult for ordinary Iraqis.

Some are working to clean up the city and beautify it, but even they acknowledge they face an uphill task. “I am actually hurt that Baghdad ranked among the worst cities in the world,” said Amir al-Chalabi, head of the Humanitarian Construction Organization, a nongovernmental organization that runs civic campaigns aimed at improving the city’s services. “Successive governments have not worked to develop Baghdad,. It has become deserted, and it suffers from instability. At night, it turns into a ghost town because of the lack of lighting,” he said.