| Demonstration in Tbilisi to support the Kessab Armenians |
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On April 6, the requiem service in memory of the victims of Syria’s war was conducted in Surb Etchmiadzin Church of Tbilisi. The Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan attended the mourning ceremony. After that at the initiative of the “Hayartun” Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, the Assembly of Tbilisi Armenians and the Armenian Community of Georgia, a group of Armenians accompanied by Priest Manuk Zeynalyan headed to the United Nations Office in Georgia. The rioters holding banners and the national flags of Armenia and Georgia demanded to end the violence against Syrian civilians and bring Turkey to justice for providing support to Islamist groups attacking the peaceful city of Kessab and surrounding areas. Peaceful demonstrators passed Chavchavazde Avenue and headed to the Turkish Embassy. They waved banners in different languages saying “Save Kessab!”, “Stop crime against Kessab!”, the protestors also demanded from Turkey to stop its genocidal policy towards the Armenians. By and large more than 250 people participated in the demonstration. Let us recall, that on March 21, terrorist groups opposing Syrian government entered from Turkey Armenian-inhabit Press service of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia Appeal to United Nations Secretary-Genera To United Nations Secretary-Genera Mr. Ban Ki-moon, According to various sources the civil war in Syria has now killed more than 100,000 people, including loss of civilian life. Since the beginning of the so called Syrian Crisis it has been reported that in addition to Syrian citizens the foreign citizens, members of radical Islamist groups including those that are recognized by the majority of UN member states, as a terrorist organizations, oppose the country’s government. On 21 March 2014 various terrorist groups and bandit formations entered the town of Kessab and surrounding areas. As a result of the armed attack more that 2000 Kessab town residents, the vast majority of whom are the Syrian citizens of Armenian origin, who less than 100 years ago found shelter in this town during the 1915-23 Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Turkish government against Armenians, were forced to leave their homes and belongings and seek refuge in other Syrian settlements. After Islamist militants took over the Syrian town of Kessab they committed numerous acts of vandalism, destroying and looting Christian religious buildings and institutions, private and civil institutions (schools, hospitals, retail facilities etc.). It must be recalled that the first implemented by the Turkish armed units massacre in Kessab took place in 1909, while during the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide, implemented by the Turkish government, 5000 Armenians were murdered in Kessab. The fact that armed terrorists entered Kessab from Turkey causes sincere indignation. The fact that Turkey allowed armed militants to cross freely the state border with Syria, as well as many records spread by radical Islamist groups, indicate that the Turkish Republic provided full support to militants invading peaceful town like Kessab. Basing on spread by mass media records of confidential conversation of Turkish top leaders, as well as a statement issued by the Turkish Prime Minister and many other materials it is confirmed that apart from technical support Turkey has provided political support to a variety of terrorist groups. We, the undersigned Armenian NGOs in Georgia urge you:
“Hayartun” Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia Armenian Community of Georgia Assembly of Tbilisi Armenians Union of Tbilisi Armenians International Association of Pan-Armenian Forum Participants Online Magazine Armenian ArtHall
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