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Rep. McGovern Urges Support for Syrian-Armenians
asbarez
Friday, November 16th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Rep, Jim McGovern
Massachusetts Legislator Calls for Strong U.S. Stand on Protecting
Minorities and Providing Relief Aid to all Victims of Syria Conflict
WASHINGTON - Representative James McGovern (D-MA) has called on
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ensure that the United States
acts with `increased vigilance in demanding that all parties in Syria
protect minority populations, including Armenians and other Christian
communities that have been caught in the cross-fire between opposing
forces,' reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
`We very much appreciate Congressman McGovern's leadership and
constructive engagement with the Department of State in ensuring that
American aid reaches all those in need in Syria, including Armenians,
other Christians, and all victims of violence and depravation in and
around the Aleppo region,' said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of
the ANCA. `We share his concern for the welfare of the innocent
victims of this conflict, and join with him in calling upon the
Administration to apply the full force of American diplomacy in
impressing upon all parties in Syria that they must protect minorities
and all at-risk populations.'
In a letter sent earlier today to Secretary Clinton, Representative
McGovern, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Congressional
Human Rights Caucus, voiced his strong support for U.S. humanitarian
efforts, including an ANCA-backed provision in the House
Appropriations Committee's version of the FY13 State-Foreign
Operations Bill calling on the State Department to prioritize
humanitarian and resettlement assistance for minority communities,
including Armenians and other Christian populations in Syria. Among
the specific priorities Congressman McGovern raised in his letter
were:
Ensuring that U.S. assistance reaches all at-risk populations,
including Armenians, Christians, and others in and around the Aleppo
area.
Encouraging the U.S. government to facilitate the timely delivery of
aid to Syria provided by Armenian Americans and other Armenians
world-wide.
Exploring with the Republic of Armenia assistance that can be provided
to support and sustain the refugees who have fled Syria and sought
refuge in Armenia.
Congressman McGovern also highlighted for Secretary Clinton the fact
that `the Armenian community of Syria, particularly those in and
around the Aleppo region, includes a great many descendants of
survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the forced death marches
through the Syrian desert. These Armenians, along with other
Christian and minority populations, are, today, increasingly the
victims of violence - in the form of bombings, sniper attacks,
murders, kidnapping, and acts of destruction and desecration of holy
sites. Only recently, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial Church
in Deir Zor, a site of pilgrimage for Armenians worldwide, was
severely damaged as a result of shelling from unidentified
assailants.'
The completel text of Congressman McGovern's letter is provided below.
November 16, 2012
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Clinton,
I am writing to express my grave concern about the urgent humanitarian
crisis in Syria, and in particular, the situation confronting
Armenians and other minorities in and around Aleppo. With the
situation deteriorating on daily basis, it is more urgent than ever
for the United States, in cooperation with our international partners,
to show leadership in ensuring the security and welfare of Syria's
at-risk Christians and other minorities.
As you are very much aware, the Armenian community of Syria,
particularly those in and around the Aleppo region, includes a great
many descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the forced
death marches through the Syrian desert. These Armenians, along with
other Christian and minority populations, are, today, increasingly the
victims of violence - in the form of bombings, sniper attacks,
murders, kidnapping, and acts of destruction and desecration of holy
sites. Only recently, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial Church
in Deir Zor, a site of pilgrimage for Armenians worldwide, was
severely damaged as a result of shelling from unidentified assailants.
In light of this situation, I want to encourage the Department of
State to act with increased vigilance in demanding that all parties in
Syria protect minority populations, including Armenians and other
Christian communities that have been caught in the cross-fire between
opposing forces.
I strongly support U.S. efforts to provide humanitarian aid and other
assistance to those affected by the violent conflict taking place in
Syria. I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee's version
of the FY13 State-Foreign Operations Bill includes a provision calling
upon the State Department to prioritize humanitarian and resettlement
assistance for minority communities, including Armenians and other
Christian populations in Syria. In this spirit, and consistent with
our government's longstanding defense of minority populations, I ask
you to help ensure that U.S. assistance - including the recent $30
million in aid added to the already considerable U.S. assistance
program to help those affected by the conflict in Syria - reaches all
at-risk populations, including Armenians, Christians, and others in
and around the Aleppo area. I also support and encourage all your
good efforts to ensure that our aid reaches the intended
beneficiaries, a priority about which I know you are particularly
sensitive.
Finally, I would also encourage the Department of State and the U.S.
Agency for International Development make every effort to help
facilitate the timely delivery of aid to Syria provided by Armenian
Americans and other Armenians world-wide, and to explore with the
Republic of Armenia assistance that can be provided to support and
sustain the refugees who have fled Syria and sought refuge in Armenia.
Please let me thank you in advance for your serious consideration of
my concerns and attention to my requests. As always, I stand ready to
assist you in any way that might be helpful in these endeavors.
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
asbarez
Friday, November 16th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Rep, Jim McGovern
Massachusetts Legislator Calls for Strong U.S. Stand on Protecting
Minorities and Providing Relief Aid to all Victims of Syria Conflict
WASHINGTON - Representative James McGovern (D-MA) has called on
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ensure that the United States
acts with `increased vigilance in demanding that all parties in Syria
protect minority populations, including Armenians and other Christian
communities that have been caught in the cross-fire between opposing
forces,' reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
`We very much appreciate Congressman McGovern's leadership and
constructive engagement with the Department of State in ensuring that
American aid reaches all those in need in Syria, including Armenians,
other Christians, and all victims of violence and depravation in and
around the Aleppo region,' said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of
the ANCA. `We share his concern for the welfare of the innocent
victims of this conflict, and join with him in calling upon the
Administration to apply the full force of American diplomacy in
impressing upon all parties in Syria that they must protect minorities
and all at-risk populations.'
In a letter sent earlier today to Secretary Clinton, Representative
McGovern, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Congressional
Human Rights Caucus, voiced his strong support for U.S. humanitarian
efforts, including an ANCA-backed provision in the House
Appropriations Committee's version of the FY13 State-Foreign
Operations Bill calling on the State Department to prioritize
humanitarian and resettlement assistance for minority communities,
including Armenians and other Christian populations in Syria. Among
the specific priorities Congressman McGovern raised in his letter
were:
Ensuring that U.S. assistance reaches all at-risk populations,
including Armenians, Christians, and others in and around the Aleppo
area.
Encouraging the U.S. government to facilitate the timely delivery of
aid to Syria provided by Armenian Americans and other Armenians
world-wide.
Exploring with the Republic of Armenia assistance that can be provided
to support and sustain the refugees who have fled Syria and sought
refuge in Armenia.
Congressman McGovern also highlighted for Secretary Clinton the fact
that `the Armenian community of Syria, particularly those in and
around the Aleppo region, includes a great many descendants of
survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the forced death marches
through the Syrian desert. These Armenians, along with other
Christian and minority populations, are, today, increasingly the
victims of violence - in the form of bombings, sniper attacks,
murders, kidnapping, and acts of destruction and desecration of holy
sites. Only recently, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial Church
in Deir Zor, a site of pilgrimage for Armenians worldwide, was
severely damaged as a result of shelling from unidentified
assailants.'
The completel text of Congressman McGovern's letter is provided below.
November 16, 2012
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Clinton,
I am writing to express my grave concern about the urgent humanitarian
crisis in Syria, and in particular, the situation confronting
Armenians and other minorities in and around Aleppo. With the
situation deteriorating on daily basis, it is more urgent than ever
for the United States, in cooperation with our international partners,
to show leadership in ensuring the security and welfare of Syria's
at-risk Christians and other minorities.
As you are very much aware, the Armenian community of Syria,
particularly those in and around the Aleppo region, includes a great
many descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the forced
death marches through the Syrian desert. These Armenians, along with
other Christian and minority populations, are, today, increasingly the
victims of violence - in the form of bombings, sniper attacks,
murders, kidnapping, and acts of destruction and desecration of holy
sites. Only recently, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial Church
in Deir Zor, a site of pilgrimage for Armenians worldwide, was
severely damaged as a result of shelling from unidentified assailants.
In light of this situation, I want to encourage the Department of
State to act with increased vigilance in demanding that all parties in
Syria protect minority populations, including Armenians and other
Christian communities that have been caught in the cross-fire between
opposing forces.
I strongly support U.S. efforts to provide humanitarian aid and other
assistance to those affected by the violent conflict taking place in
Syria. I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee's version
of the FY13 State-Foreign Operations Bill includes a provision calling
upon the State Department to prioritize humanitarian and resettlement
assistance for minority communities, including Armenians and other
Christian populations in Syria. In this spirit, and consistent with
our government's longstanding defense of minority populations, I ask
you to help ensure that U.S. assistance - including the recent $30
million in aid added to the already considerable U.S. assistance
program to help those affected by the conflict in Syria - reaches all
at-risk populations, including Armenians, Christians, and others in
and around the Aleppo area. I also support and encourage all your
good efforts to ensure that our aid reaches the intended
beneficiaries, a priority about which I know you are particularly
sensitive.
Finally, I would also encourage the Department of State and the U.S.
Agency for International Development make every effort to help
facilitate the timely delivery of aid to Syria provided by Armenian
Americans and other Armenians world-wide, and to explore with the
Republic of Armenia assistance that can be provided to support and
sustain the refugees who have fled Syria and sought refuge in Armenia.
Please let me thank you in advance for your serious consideration of
my concerns and attention to my requests. As always, I stand ready to
assist you in any way that might be helpful in these endeavors.
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress