SYDNEY: The Hon. Julie Bishop, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, is yet to reply to a call for assistance for the Armenians of Kessab, Syria, who were attacked by extremist rebels and were forced to flee their homes. The Syrian rebels were allowed access to Kessab by Turkey, through its borders.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia wrote to Bishop, requesting she joins many in the world condemning these attacks, and Turkey's involvement. The letter also requested aid for the displaced Kessab Armenians.
Despite ANC Australia's follow-ups, the letter remains unanswered after over a week. The e-petition below shows you join our demands!
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The Hon. Julie Bishop
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
RE: Attack on Armenians of Kessab, Syria
Dear Minister:
It has now been over a week since the Armenian National Committee of Australia wrote to you outlining the Armenian-Australian community’s concerns over the current crisis in Kessab, Syria. To date no statement has been issued by your office nor the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Numerous world leaders and elected officials, including the Unites States State Department, have already condemned the military operations undertaken by rebel fighters, who attacked the heavily Armenian populated region of Kessab with assistance from the Turkish state. Turkey allowed these rebel fighters to attack Kessab by allowing them to cross the Turkish border into Syria.
The actions of Turkey have demonstrated that it still wishes to carry out the genocidal policies of its predecessors, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, which orchestrated the first genocide of the 20th century, from 1915-1923, against its Armenian, Assyrian and Greek populations.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Australian government to immediately release a statement condemning Turkey’s actions and for AusAID to provide direct aid to those affected by the current crisis in Kessab and the surrounding regions.
Yours sincerely,
All Signatories Below
