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TURKEY HAS INTERESTS IN LEBANON
[01:53 pm] 08 September, 2006
By allocating forces in Lebanon Turkey is trying to
enhance its position in the region.
"We must not forget that the Near East has been under
the reign of Turkey for centuries. There were suchlike
comments in Turkey too – We left Lebanon 88 years ago,
and now we are returning", said Ruben Safrastyan, dean
of the RA National Academy of Science oriental studies
chair commenting on the decision of the Turkish
Parliament about sending peace-keeping forces to
Lebanon. According to the historian, this is also an
attempt by Turkey to flatter the USA and the EU.
"The USA, as well as the EU is interested in Turkey’s
sending peace-keeping forces to Lebanon. This is a
gesture by Turkey".
The Armenians of Lebanon were against the Turkish
troupes in the country saying that Turkey cannot be
defender of rights. According to Ruben Safrastyan, not
only the Armenians, but also the majority of the
Turkish society was against it.
"The concern was that the peace-keepers might collide
with "Hezbollah" which could arouse anxiety of the
pro-Islamic powers in Turkey. That’s why the Turks
avoid those regions where they can get in touch with
"Hezbollah", Mr. Safrastyan thinks.
According to the historian, the Arabian world does not
approve of the Turkish peace-keepers fearing that
Turkey might try to restore its former influence.
As for the Armenian policy of not sending troupes to
Lebanon, the historian thinks it right.
"What could we gain sending troupes there? We do not
have geo-political problems to solve in the Near East.
We have a large community there which is in certain
relations with all the political powers, that is we
poke into relations which could harm our nations. We
would lose more than gain", Mr. Safrastyan says.