Society 11:33 26/02/2014

Senator McCain Offends Visiting Syrian Church Leaders

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Sen. John McCain is a prime example of how U.S. officials so often have misjudged overseas crises, believing that the best way to bring democracy to a country is through massive US bombing and invasion.

The Arizona Senator has been highly critical of Pres. Obama’s ‘arm the rebels strategy,’ urging a more direct US military intervention in Syria. Sen. McCain does not seem to understand that toppling Pres. Bashar Al-Assad would result in more deaths and destruction, and turn Syria into a major hub of international terrorism. Over 30,000 Islamic Jihadists from dozens of countries currently are fighting the Syrian government and each other — surely, not to bring democracy to Syria!

In fact, the former Republican presidential candidate is so obsessed with beating the drums of war that reportedly he behaved in an ill-tempered and discourteous manner with a group of high-ranking Christian Syrian leaders, just because they were not advocating violent regime change. The church delegation had come to Washington last month seeking a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict and protection for Christians numbering around two million – 10 percent of the country’s population.

The visiting Church leaders included Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Damascus, and representatives of the Presbyterian, Evangelical, Syrian Orthodox, and Greek Orthodox churches of Syria. The delegation met with members of Congress, State Department officials, U.S., NGO’s, academics, religious leaders, and members of the media.

The Syrian clergymen were gratified with their Washington visit, except for their unpleasant encounter with Sen. McCain, as described by Judicial Watch:

“Hell-bent on arming opposition forces in Syria — despite strong evidence that they’re run by Islamic terrorists — John McCain displayed behavior unbecoming of a United States Senator during a recent meeting with Syrian Christian leaders touring Capitol Hill.… Senator McCain, an Arizona Republican, evidently doesn’t want to hear negative stories about the rebels he’s working to arm. So he stormed out of a closed-door meeting with the Syrian clergy officials last week…. McCain marched into the committee room yelling, according to a high-level source that attended the meeting, and quickly stormed out. ‘He was incredibly rude,’ the source told Judicial Watch…. Following the shameful tantrum, McCain reentered the room and sat briefly, but refused to make eye contact with the participants, instead ignoring them by looking down at what appeared to be random papers.”

During their meetings in Washington, the Syrian Christian leaders informed U.S. officials about the unfolding massive human tragedy in their country and the precarious situation of Christian communities; kidnapping of Christian Bishops, priests, nuns, and parishioners; attacks on Christian villages; desecration of churches and holy sites; and violations of religious freedom by armed Islamists.

Given the escalating bloodshed in Syria, the Church leaders asked the United States to:
– End all military and financial aid to armed rebels;
– Demand from U.S allies — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey — not to support the terrorists;
– Ask that all sides of the conflict stop the violence, including bombings and terrorism;
– Resolve the conflict through dialogue, not military action;
– Ensure the Syrian people’s security;
– Protect the Christian minorities;
– Protect the churches and mosques;
– Protect religious, historical, and cultural monuments;
– Assist in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Syria.

The website of the Syrian Armenian Committee for Urgent Relief and Rehabilitation (SACURR) reported that as of Sept. 30, 2013, the war caused serious harm to the Armenian community: 64 civilians murdered, 172 injured, 110 kidnapped, and 15 soldiers killed in action. Moreover, various Armenian institutions were damaged: seven Apostolic and three Catholic churches; 13 schools; and 10 community centers. Close to half of 65,000 Syrian-Armenians have fled to Armenia, Lebanon and elsewhere.

SACURR, composed of nine major Armenian social, religious and political organizations in Syria, reported that by the end of September it had received $1.7 million from overseas Armenian entities. Even though this is a small fraction of the amount needed, SACURR has been able to provide food, shelter, security, and medical and educational assistance to Syrian Armenians, including $500,000 in tuition aid to 6,436 students in 38 schools.

Sen. McCain and other foolhardy U.S. officials would do well to heed the wise counsel of the visiting Syrian Christian leaders. Dispatching more weapons to Syria would only exacerbate the fighting, resulting in endless bloodshed.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:00
Rain, snow expected in Armenia on Tuesday
Rain and snow are expected in some parts of Armenia on Tuesday and over the weekend. Clear weather is forecast for the next three days....
16:45
Melania Trump expected to skip White House meeting with Jill Biden
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, CNN reported, citing sources...
16:31
Urartu names new director
FC Urartu has named Davit Shakhbagyan as the club’s new general director. The specialist has been part of the club since 2015, it said...
16:06
Ruling party blocks statement on Armenian prisoners
The parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party on Tuesday blocked a statement demanding the release of...
15:30
Negotiations with Snoop Dogg continue for Yerevan concert, ministry says
The new date for the concert of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg in Yerevan remains unknown. The concert, which was initially scheduled for...
15:02
India reportedly ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia
India marks another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia. This is the second missile...
14:34
Trump picks Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN...
14:15
Four arrested after raids at Yerevan district administration
Four people, including officials, were arrested on Tuesday after law-enforcement authorities raided Yerevan's Kentron district...
13:36
Armenian Foreign Ministry explains Mirzoyan's statement on customs simplifications with Azerbaijan
At the ministerial meeting of the 3+3 regional consultative platform held in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan...
13:08
Bitcoin tops $89,000
Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally took the digital asset past $89,000 and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its...
12:36
Armenia sees rise in pneumonia mortality rate
World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a life-threatening but preventable and...
12:13
Opposition urges parliament majority to join statement on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a special sitting on the issue of Armenian prisoners...
11:36
Presidential office denies reports of Vahagn Khachaturyan's hospitalization
The Armenian presidential office has denied reports about President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s hospitalization. “Reports alleging...
11:15
WCC, World Evangelical Alliance and global partners call for immediate release of Armenian prisoners
The World Evangelical Alliance, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Solidarity International, and a coalition...
11:00
Michel, Aliyev discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization
European Council President Charles Michel discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev....
17:17
Armenia wins six medals at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighters captured six medals, including two silver and four bronze, at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana,...
16:57
Azerbaijani regime ethnically cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh, new report says
The Azerbaijani regime engaged in ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a report released...
16:36
Armenian church leader off to India
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Monday travelled to India on a patriarchal visit at the invitation of the church department of Kolkata...
16:16
Deputy FM: Yerevan, Baku still disagree on some issues
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan says that differences remain with Azerbaijan over the draft text of a peace treaty....
15:32
Armenian MP: Azerbaijan toughened rhetoric ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan’s rhetoric has significantly toughened ahead of COP29, Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan says. “Its causes are...
15:14
Georgia president calls for fresh parliamentary elections
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Monday called for fresh parliamentary elections to resolve a crisis sparked by last month's vote...
14:50
Armenian Interior Ministry suspends surveillance bill
The Armenian Interior Ministry has suspended a bill on the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems with 24-hour police access...
14:15
Armenian GM beats Azeri rival at European Individual Chess Championship
The European Individual Chess Championship 2024 is being held in Petrovac, Montenegro from 7-20 November. After 3 rounds, GM Robert...
13:59
Armenian parliament commission's report on 2020 war probe ready, senior MP says
The Armenian parliament commission has completed its report on the outcome of a probe into the circumstances of the 2020 Artsakh war, senior...
13:20
Trump plans to return bust of Winston Churchill to White House
Donald Trump has vowed to return a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office as a 'mark of respect', the Daily Mail reports....
13:05
Numerous archaeological materials found at excavations in Armenia's Ohanavan
Excavations have resumed at the newly-discovered early medieval rock-hewn tomb in the Ohanavan community of Armenia's Aragatsotn Province...
12:46
Australia plans social media ban for children under 16
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday what he called a "world-leading" plan to implement a social media ban...
12:36
Armenia's Arsen Khandzhian wins silver at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighter Arsen Khandzhian captured a silver medal at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan,...
12:23
Junior Eurovision: Armenia's Leo had his first rehearsal
Armenia's delegate Leo had his first rehearsal at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Madrid on Sunday. Leo was joined on stage...
17:10
Opposition MP urges end to 'disgraceful' chapter of Pashinyan's rule
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has reacted to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s threats against Armenia and “derogatory...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}