Iraqi Armenians Fearful
Armenia Liberty reports that ethnic Armenians in Iraq have pleaded with the Armenian government not to send any troops to Iraq, fearing they might become the targets of attacks.
“We Iraqi Armenians are against that,” said Narek Ishkhanian, a parish priest. “We fear that they will start kidnapping and killing us and attacking our churches and other institutions.
“So we are asking them not take such a step. It would create a very bad situation for our community. Take pity on us.”
I read recently that no troops were to be sent; in fact the small Armenian contingent would be made up of sappers and nurses. This small group would more likely be the victims of kidnappings themselves.
ArmeniaNow.com has a story on Iraqi-Armenians who fled to Armenia two months ago and are now trying adjust to their new home.
‘’It could be dangerous for Armenian community,” says Aram Margaryan. “They don’t tolerate Christians anymore.
“In Baghdad you cannot go outside after 6-7 o’clock. If someone gets sick then he has to die at home as it is impossible to get to hospital. It is a normal thing to kidnap boys and girls. Now it is extremely dangerous to stay there. We could leave for Germany or any other European country but we preferred to go to our homeland.”‘
Matt,
But isn’t a sapper just a deminer or a military engineer? Regardless of whether don’t engage in patrol or other peacekeeping and combat operations, they are stil surely soldiers. I think this is the point. They might still be considered a military presence regardless of whether they have the ability to do any shooting or not. As a result, the Armenian military is involving itself with what some Iraqis (many?) consider an occupying force.
Comment by Onnik Krikorian — 9/30/2004 @ 1:02 am
Matt,
Clearly we have seen that those who are committing these kidnappings are not interested in who it is they are kidnapping, be it military men, doctors, piece keepers, or truck drivers. They only seem to be concerned with what these individuals represent.
The presence of Armenians form outside Iraq will represent Armenia’s support for the occupation of Iraq, and more dangerous than that, will represent Armenia’s support for the policies of the West.
No matter what benefits the Armenian government may think they will get by this action, this will only created a very (more) dangerous situation for the Armenian community in Iraq.
Comment by Raffi Momjian — 9/30/2004 @ 9:30 am