ARMENIANS ASK BUSH TO SHUT TURKISH PEACEKEEPERS OUT OF LEBANON

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
August 17, 2006 Thursday

The Armenian lobby in the United States has called on President
George Bush to block the involvement of Turkish servicemen in the
international peacekeeping mission to be deployed in the southern
part of Lebanon. A letter signed by the chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of America, Ken Khachikian, says the deployment of
Turkish peacekeepers in Lebanon allegedly contradicts US interests
and will impede promoting peace in the region. The UN ceasefire to
end the fighting came into force a few days ago and an estimated
15,000 international peacekeepers are expected to enter the conflict
zone. Despite Armenians efforts, US Assistant Secretary of State for
Near Eastern Affairs David Welch underscored the Turkish armys high
combat readiness. He said the decision to station Turkish peacekeeping
forces in the Middle East was Turkeys own choice. Welch told a news
conference in Washington on Wednesday that the United States and
Turkey have extensive experience on cooperation in such issues and
his country relies on the Turkish peacekeeping force.
From: Baghdasarian