The persecution of Christians is a very particular situation. We cannot say that only the Armenians, Greeks or other Christians were persecuted. The last incident, which was the attack on Kessab, is one very specific element of that persecution.
As you know, Turkey is holding municipal elections. The presidential election will follow in August 2014. In 2015 there will be general elections. Currently, there is enormous confusion in Turkey.
Since I was born there and lived there for 31 years, I know what is going on very well. When there is a problem inside the country, the best way of dealing with it is to direct people's attention outside the borders. That is what happened.
The latest target was Kessab. This village lived in peace for years. In fact, its residents were all retired people. The village of Kessab was chosen as a target. The residents finally took refuge in Latakia.
I don't know if you are aware of that situation. We sent you a memo last week. That memo is a transcription, a sort of leak from the cabinet in Ankara. At that meeting the Minister of External Affairs was present, as well as the head of national security and the chief of staff of the military. The fourth person present was the second-in-command at External Affairs. Apparently the opposition, which is fighting the current government, was behind this leak. Everything that was recorded was put on YouTube.
The leak shows very clearly that the head of national security made a proposal. He said that they would send four or five guerillas or volunteers to Syria who would send rockets toward Turkey. He suggested that that could be used as a pretext to invade Syria. It is transcribed verbatim. You have it in your email. Last week we sent it to at least 350 elected representatives or official representatives of the Canadian Parliament. All of this is known.
That is why when you asked me about a very general matter which was an internal matter in Syria, I do not criticize the Syrian regime as such, and, how can I put this, I don't praise it either. However, the problem is that they are waiting for an opportunity. In the Middle East, they implement this type of game and scenario. This is not new. It has been going on for years.
To my mind, it is very clear. In 1915, the Armenians were massacred. This has been called a genocide, and the genocide is continuing. The last phase was the attack on the village of Kessab.
This always happens as the historic date of April 24 approaches. Is this a coincidence or not? I don't know.
Have I answered your question, sir?