Joint letter laments persecution of Assyrians in IraqSeptember 19, 2014 - 11:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Assyrian Universal Alliance and the Armenian National Committee of America have sent a joint letter to Congressman Edward Royce, representative for California’s 39th congressional district, on the persecution of Assyrians in Iraq, Asbarez reported. Royce is the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The letter expresses concern over the persecution of Assyrians and other minorities in Iraq by Islamic State fighters and calls attention to the flight of 200,000 Assyrians from their towns and villages in the Nineveh Plain in North Iraq, which was caused by IS moving into the area and capturing towns and villages. The letter calls for the establishment of a safe haven in the Nineveh Plain, under UN protection, the creation of local Assyrian forces for protection and immediate assistance with humanitarian aid. The letter was signed by Carlo Ganjeh, Americas Secretary for the Assyrian Universal Alliance, and Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |