Aztag Armenian Daily, Lebanon
Aug 16 2006

S T A T E M E N T
by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsoutiune Central
Committee of Lebanon

We ReJECT the Participation of Turkish Troops in the U.N.
Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon

The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in
Lebanon held a meeting yesterday (August 16, 2006), during which it
discussed the events that occured after the beginning of the
implemenation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. The following
statement was released after the meeting.

The participants in the meeting discussed the loss of life and
material damage caused by the war waged by Israel on Lebanon, and
highly praised the spirit of solidarity and cooperation shown by the
Lebanese people during the conflict, as well as their determination
to defend their land, their rights, and their dignity. The A.R.F.
also highly praised the Lebanese resistance for its brave actions in
protecting Lebanon, and invited all Lebanese to ensure their victory
by remaining united, and by resisting any attempts to jeopardize this
unity, for as long as Israel continues to threaten Lebanon.

The A.R.F. Central Committee also welcomed Resolution 1701, and
discussed the possible make-up of the expanded U.N. Force in Lebanon.
The Central Committee underlined that the composition of these forces
must be accepted by all Lebanese parties and factions. The Central
Committee reiterated that the deployment of Turkish troops in south
Lebanon under the umbrella of the U.N. Forces is unacceptable to the
Armenian community in Lebanon, and expressed hope that the Lebanese
government would take a similar stance on the issue, given that
Turkey has ongoing disagreements with many nations, and also given
its black history, filled with massacres and persecution, such as the
Armenian Genocide, which the Turkish government continues to deny. In
addition, Turkiey has signed military pacts with Israel that threaten
the peace process in the region.

We all know that Lebanon was not spared under Ottoman dictatorship.
Lebanese of all religions and denominations were persecuted, abused,
famished, and murdered by Turkish authorities, and Turkey opposed all
who stood up for freedom. During its reign of Lebanon, Turkey
commited inhumane acts.

Turkey must first rethink its past and calculations before thinking
of participating in multination peacekeeping forces.

We insist, that placing any Turkish troops in Southern Lebanon under
the umbrella of the U.N. Forces is an insult to the collective memory
of the Armenian people.

A.R.F. Lebanon Central Committee
August 16, 2005
Beirut