Saturday, July 09, 2005

Kocharian Sends Condolences to British PM after London Bombings

The Arka News Agency reports that the Armenian President, Robert Kocharian, has sent his condolences to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, after this week's terrorist attack on London.
"We understand that these barbaric activities were directed against the whole of humanity and condemn terrorism in all kinds of its disposition. Please, accept profound condolences on behalf of the whole Armenian nation and personally from me."
    
© Edmond Terakopian, AP, 2005/07/07
In related news, PanArmenian.net reports that the Armenian Defense Minister, Serzh Sarkisyan, says that it is unlikely that Armenia will ever become a target for international terrorists.
When commenting on the statement spread by the “Secret Organization of al Qaeda in Europe," which contained threat for the crusader-states, Serge Sargsian said “Armenia has never considered itself to be a crusader-state. He also stated that the law enforcers keep the situation under control and noted the importance of Armenia's participation in the anti-terror coalition.
Even so, a few months before 9/11, security at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia had been stepped up and the new British Embassy in Yerevan has also been built like a fortress. The problem is that nobody ever seems to know where terrorists are going to strike next. Certainly, the embassies and other international missions here have been taking security very seriously for many years.

Anyway, one of my friends in London, Edmond Terakopian, another British citizen of Armenian descent, is busy photographing the tragedy for Associated Press. In his last email to me sent yesterday, he sounds exhausted. I have to be honest and say that this is one time I'm glad I'm not back home.

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