WASHINGTON, DC – Leading Armenian American groups wrote today to President Bush to alert him to the crisis facing the Armenians of Iraq, and to call upon him to provide meaningful assistance, as part of the current emergency phase of the U.S. aid package, to alleviate the crisis in this community.
The signatories noted that, “As representatives of the Armenian American community, we write to you today regarding the tremendous challenges facing the Armenian community of Iraq. This community of more than 30,000 suffered terribly during the war and now, more than two months after the end of major hostilities, remains in a state of crisis.” The leadership groups pointed out that “The Armenian Church and local community institutions in Iraq, despite their best efforts and the help of Armenians from abroad, find themselves unable to meet even the basic needs of the Armenian community. The network of social welfare institutions that have long sustained the Armenian community have been severely disrupted and can no longer care for those most in need.”
“As a community with roots [in Iraq] dating back hundreds of years, the Armenians are dedicated to the full return of Iraq to the democratic family of nations. Unfortunately, in their present state, they cannot even meet their day-to-day needs. With a modest, yet meaningful, helping hand, however, we are certain that the Armenians of Iraq will soon be back on their feet and able to play their role in Iraq’s rebirth,” stated the letter.
The Armenian American churches and community organizations signing the letter were the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics, Armenian Church of North America – Western Diocese, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – Eastern U.S., Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – Eastern U.S., Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – Western U.S., Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Youth Federation, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association, Homenetmen Armenian General Athletic Union, and the Knights of Vartan.
The full text of the letter is provided below:
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July 23, 2003
The Hon. George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As representatives of the Armenian American community, we write to you today regarding the tremendous challenges facing the Armenian community of Iraq. This community of more than 30,000 suffered terribly during the war and now, more than two months after the end of major hostilities, remains in a state of crisis.
The Armenian Church and local community institutions in Iraq, despite their best efforts and the help of Armenians from abroad, find themselves unable to meet even the basic needs of the Armenian community. The network of social welfare institutions that have long sustained the Armenian community have been severely disrupted and can no longer care for those most in need. Hundreds of families remain without sufficient food, medicine, or shelter in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, Mosul, and elsewhere.
The Armenians in Iraq welcome their newfound freedoms and value the opportunity to bring their unique contribution to the reconstruction of the nation. As a community with roots dating back hundreds of years, the Armenians are dedicated to the full return of Iraq to the democratic family of nations. Unfortunately, in their present state, they cannot even meet their day-to-day needs. With a modest, yet meaningful, helping hand, however, we are certain that the Armenians of Iraq will soon be back on their feet and able to play their role in Iraq’s rebirth. It is a well-known fact that the Armenians of Iraq have traditionally been the community of enterprise in this nation. It will, in the end, be this spirit that will ensure Iraq’s future prosperity.
We respectfully call upon the Administration to ensure that the needs of the Armenian community are immediately addressed in the current emergency phase of the U.S. support for Iraq. . We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or those you designate to discuss the various aspects of this very critical situation.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.
Sincerely,
