`AS FAR AS THE ARMENIAN NATION HAS THE WILL TO GO ON WITH ITS CLAIMS,
IT WILL GAIN ITS RIGHTS’

Azg/arm
30 March 05

“Our wish is that the Armenian nation regains its former borders, gets
back its historic lands and creates free, independent and united
Armenia”, Muhammad al Fares, head of the Al Tay tribe, said after the
12 Arab tribe leaders prayed at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide.

Delegation of the Syrian tribe leaders accompanied by representatives
of the Armenian Revolutionary Party visited Tsitsernakaberd yesterday
to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Each of them
has something to say as they brought with them memories of their
families about the Armenians who escaped massacres and their starving
orphans.

Sheikh al Fares recalled his grandfather telling that their settlement
was dangerous for Armenians and together with his tribesmen he led the
Armenians out to a Yezidi at the mount of Snjar until situation
settled in his region.

“Our Armenian brothers are part of our life. We contribute to
Syria’s social, economical development hand in hand. At first,
Armenians lived in rural areas, working the soil, breeding cattle,
wearing our national dresses and keeping their traditions and
customs. They lived their lives beside us, identified with us, showing
their courage, hospitality, openness, the best features oftheir
character. Moreover, during arguments, discords and even clashes
within our tribes they stepped in displaying the main feature of the
Armenian nation- love for peace. We have noticed no evil intentions in
Armenians”, he said adding that Armenians living in deserts with Arabs
even got used to eating with hands.

Answering daily Azg’s question as to what he thinks about
Turkey’s denialist policy in the Armenian Genocide issue, he said
that the existence of today’s Armenia is the greatest answer to the
Turks and that it’s not essential whether they recognize the Genocide
or not. “As far as the Armenian nation has the will to go on with its
claims, I am sure it will gain its rights”, he said.

Sheikh Nauaf al Bashir from the Bagar tribe told that the Arabs helped
Armenians even when their were threatened not to do so. But the Arabs
fearlessly hid the Armenians in their homes treating them as friends.

“They want to tell those questioning the fact of Armenian Genocide
that their fathers were eyewitnesses of the events, that all they told
was true”, Khachik Majikian from Aleppo said.

The tribe leaders said that the elders of their tribes bequeathed to
have a place for the Armenians in their hearts. There were newborn
orphans among the Armenians of Al Tay tribe who were fed up by Arab
women. Half of around 70 thousand Armenians of Syria returned to
motherland in 1946, others wedded Arabs.

Armen Melkonian, Armenian envoy to Aleppo, was in the Syrian
delegation as well. He noted that the tribe leaders voice their
personal opinion, as Syria has not defined its state policy in regard
to the Armenian Genocide.

By Ruzan Poghosian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress