WASHINGTON—The US State Department on Friday said it was “deeply troubled” by the violence in Syria that is endangering the Armenian community in Syria.
“We are deeply troubled by recent fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in Kessab, Syria, and has forced many to flee,” said State Department spokesperson Marie Harf during a press briefing on Friday.
The press conference came one day after a meeting between a delegation of Armenian community representatives led by the Armenian National Committee of America and Department of State officials, during which the State Department was urged to act immediately to end the vicious onslaught on the historically Armenian town of Kessab by al-Qaeda affiliated extremists and to confront Turkey about its complicity in aiding the extremists’ attack on Kessab. Among the participants at the meeting were Dr. Viken Hovsepian and Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
“The United States will continue its steadfast support to those affected by violence in Syria and throughout the region, including Syrian Armenians,” Harf said in her press briefing. “We have long had concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this further.”
Harf acknowledged the role of the ISL, al Nusra, and other al-Qaeda linked terrorist groups in the attacks and that they have targeted Armenians and other minority groups, saying, “we’re particularly concerned about these minority communities and want to make sure that their rights are protected.”
Harf made no mention, however, of the State Department’s stance on Turkey’s involvement in the attack on Kessab or their support of the belligerent extremists.
Asked about the recent leaked phone conversations between Turkish leaders, in which high level Turkish officials – including Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu – are heard planning military intervention in Syria via a false flag, Harf said, “I don’t have anything for you on alleged calls or conversations that are out there among Turkish officials.”
Moreover, Harf echoed statements made by Syrian rebels that they will respect minorities.
“We have seen some statements by groups fighting in Kasab [sic.] saying they will not target civilians and will respect minorities and holy places. We expect those commitments to be upheld,” Harf said.
State Dept. will not change one iota from their formulated mid east policy no matter what happens. What ever they say means nothing if no action is taken. Considering Obama’s attitute and broken promises shows that our requests , needs, pleadings fall on deaf ears.
Words, words, and words
What a Bull from the State Department. So, the State Department agrees what these terrorists are saying about respecting the holy places and minorities.
It’s time the State Department filter itself and bring some moral and common sense people to work for them. No more Neo Cons and Hawkish representatives who are not reliable and may bring evil and create wars all around the world.
People’s lives are not commodities to trade for in the market place.
The ghost of Armenian Genocide orchestrators, Envar, Djemal and Talaat are back into Davood, Abdullah and Rajab, where Geziest turkeys cannot “twit” anymore! Turkey’s internal problem, overlapping in Syrian’s town of Kessab, where they can unite all Muslim fanatic radicals against Christians, especially Armenian “Gavurs”. Very same tactics used during Armenian Genocide by Jihadist Turks, when CUP leaders tried to unite those dysfunctional Turkic tribes, during the fall of Osmani Khalifat!
Deeply´-Troubled?? So what is the ‘rating system’ here? Troubled, Deeply-Troubled, Angry, Taking Positive Action?? Probably it can change either way. And soon go down to…just “Troubled”, or maybe….”Forget it”.
Does United States wants us to believe that ISL, al Nusra, and other al-Qaeda savages are called opposition. We have to accept that under Bashar al Asad people had relatively good and peaceful life and now there are 4 million refugees and about 180 thousand Syrians killed by the so called phony opposition who in fact are Turkish, Azeri and Chechen criminals supported by the West, this does not bring prestige to western countries specially France! well we know that France is not doing well economically so acting this low is expected from them. Since when the barefoot nomads of Saudi Arabia are coounted as power players (we all know they are empty puppets). It seems Turkey by order of the same people is trying to finish its genocide of the Armenians!
Talk is cheap, we heard this BS even from higher ups.We need and want action now.Time for sweet talk is over. Shame on our state dept. and Obama. shame.
This should pacify us for the time being.
I have heard so many times these words. Deeply Troubles, We Sympathize with You, We Will Bring To Justice the Perpetrators, We will Further Investigate the Matter. We Will Pursue All Avenues to Bring Justice.
And then they go behind our backs and give the latest weapons to Turkey, they provide them with intelligence, they invite Erdogan to the White House, they arm the rebels to kill Christian minorities.
This Obama administration has direct connections to the AlQaeda. I have no doubt about it considering their policies towards Armenians, Jews, Middle East Christians, their support of the Morsi regime, their support to the Saudi government, their support of the Muslims in the former Yugoslavia and especially Kosovo.
Where are the true Christians of Europe and America. Ignoring Armenians again and you will find yourselves surrounded by AlQaeda in fifty years all over Europe. Stupid is all I can say about them. Just stupid.
WHY, why why, why is this country so afraid to offend precious “ally” Turkey? The Turks contribute nothing to our alliance.
Historically the Turks have always been destroyers and invaders, not builders. What they aren’t capable of creating themselves, they destroy in other, more advanced civilizations. It’s time the US called Turkey what it is _ a country of medieval thugs.
The state dept doesn’t give a damn about Armenians or christians who are being slaughtered in the ME. It should stop taking us and the rest of the world for idiots!!
The State Department is very well aware of the Turkish policies and intentions, they probably have approved it at some point in time also. Harf is the mouthpiece of the State Department and the PR person, nothing else could be said for someone in that position. For Armenian community members to expect anything else is naive to say the least.
This statement conveys a verbal commitment, a political naivety, an attempt to cover an ally’s aggression and a maneuvering to gain some time …
Huh!!” State department deepley troubled!!! “What a big deal.
I wonder if Kessa b population were jews they have preempted a nuclear strike against ankara.
Shame on you state department!
it seems time has come, we need to revive ASALA again
the time ha scome, we either live or die, if we have a chance to choose we will always go with AsALA
brothers the time ha come!
Looks like Kasab’s fighting is continuation of the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians in 1915. Turkey is now cleverly engineering the Genocide by the al-Qaeda affiliated extremist enteringSyria from inside Turkish borders. Turkey used the same technique by engaging the convicts and criminals in Turkish prisons in 1915. State dept. should push Turkey to stop another Genocide of the Armenians in Syria.
lan voroun jiveroun state department “deeply troubled”. Practically they still supporting terrorist “rebels”. Most importantly what Syrian army can do to liberate Kessab and what can we do to help Kessabtsi-s. US cares less what’s happening to christian minorities.
it”s the biggest joke of the year haaahaaa
The US should abandone its policy of unconditional support for Turkey and instead practice what it preaches, i.e. the restoration of justice to the Armenians of the world. Turks are not to be trusted as allies as they have already demonstrated that they place their religion above any Western interests or values. The goal of Muslim extremists is to dominate the world and in this quest they have successeded in eliminating the Christian communities of the Middle East almost entirely. What is the difference between Hitler and politician like Erdogan and those ruling Pakistan? Wake up America and Europe, otherwise it will be our turn next.
Turkey is the Problem when are you people in the State department going to get it?
It’s published on Friday, just before a(n extended) weekend. You normally do that with issues that you want to be forgotten. I am surprised that they used this ages-old trick.
Josef,
You seriously really think they don’t get it? I guess this is the problem with American-Armenians.
The number one political entity that is at fault for what is happening in Syria is the USA.
If we were Jews,USA planes would have gone in on day 1 and removed all Armenians to safety. But I guess all Armenians are allowed is that some where in congress someone is troubled!
No, turkey is just an instrument, the perpetrators are this who does nothing to stop them, just issuing empty condemnations.
These acts should show the Armenian’s all over the world that without Russia there will be NO Armenia.
Wake up, folks: there’s NATO base in Turkey. That’s all that matters to the US.
As for the world reaction, I’m proud that Armenians are publicly reacting to this atrocity!