YEREVAN. – Turkey refuses the international rescue mission being offered to eliminate the aftermath of the earthquake because it is preparing an attack against the Kurds, European Integration NGO Director Karen Bekaryan stated during a press conference on Tuesday.   

“Turkey is continuing to prepare for forceful operations in its territory and in neighboring Iraq alike. At present, this matter has become secondary for the international community, but for Turkey, [and] at least in the initial phase, it has created an opportunity for unbound operations. Just as it happened during the [Armenian] Genocide,” Bekaryan noted.  

In his view, Armenia’s readiness to render assistance to Turkey deserves the highest political appraisal. “As a citizen of Armenia, I am proud that Armenia, putting aside each and every political calculation, expressed readiness to help the victims. But on the political dimension, Turkey’s refusal could signal a new wave of attack against the Kurds. [But] This should not be of concern for the Kurds living in Armenia and, together with them, for us,” Karen Bekaryan argued.