TURKISH MP TURHAN CHOMAZ: GARABAGH DRAMA MAY BE REPEATED IN LEBANON

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 8, 2006

"Lebanon is suffering tragedy of humanity now. About 35,000 houses
have been devastated and 60,000 have become impossible to live in.

One of every three persons have become refugee in Lebanonm which has
4 million population," Turkish parliamentarian from Balikasir from
AKP party Turhan Chomaz, who is in the Lebanese capital, Beirut now,
told the APA’s Turkey bureau.

The parliamentarian said more than $3 billion is needed to restoration
of the infrastructure-destroyed electric station, water reservoirs,
roads and bridges in Lebanon.

"As a state, Lebanon has fallen down. There is an irresistible chaos
in the country. People are desperate and furious in Beirut. Israeli
raids on civilians are horrible.

If the world community fails to end the fighting in Lebanon, the
Middle East will suffer great unrests and chaos in coming ten years.

It is duty of all intelligent states to settle this conflict. I
feel very sad and worry about the developments in Beirut. I wish the
fighting ended as soon as possible," Mr. Chomaz said.

The AKP member underlined the United States and Great Britain are
responsible for ending the war stressing these states should interfere
in the processes immediately.

"However, Turkey, as the successor of a state, which was in power
in this geography for four centuries, is also to do much in this
situation. I expect the Azerbaijani government’s support, Azerbaijani
brothers’ sensitivity to the steps and policy that Turkey will take
soon. Everyone should do its utmost to render humanitarian aids.

There is a need to take a strong state policy and to make more severe
demands in order to prevent Israeli attacks. I believe Turkey will
take these steps soon. And we expect support from an mportant Turk
state, Azerbaijan and brotherly people to these steps," he underlined.

Responding to the question "Do you see any similarities between the
current developments in Lebanon and our occupied territories, refugee
problem," the Turkish parliamentarian described the Garabagh problem
as a chronic injury.

"Our compatriots displaced from Nagorno Garabagh cannot get used to
the troubles they have long been suffering. I am afraid the drama
of our brothers from Garabagh will happen to Lebanon. There will be
irresistible, new chronic injury here. Therefore, the conflict in
Lebanon should be immediately solved to prevent this. In this context,
the two brotherly states-Turkey and Azerbaijan should pursue a joint
policy and say "end" these bloody attacks," Chomaz said.

He also commented on the probability of the spread of the war in
the region.

"If efforts to achieve permanent peace fail, Israel will continue to
bomb the southern Lebanon deporting civilians to the north. I think
first Syria and then Iran will interfere in this process. Israel’s
current position and US secret support for it is leading the Middle
East geography to chaos. I am afraid the fire in the heart of the
Middle East will catch the entire geography soon. We are obliged to
prevent this.

I convey my love to Azerbaijani brothers from Beirut. They must not
forget that our hearts are always with them. I’ll dedicate my next
visit program to Garabagh," Chomaz concluded.