TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON: IRFAN ACAR ON TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN LEBANON PEACEKEEPING
Monday Morning, Lebanon
Sept 11 2006
Session of the Turkish Parliament
Voting for participation
The Turkish parliament last week voted after fierce debate at an
extraordinary session to authorize the government to send troops to
the UN force in Lebanon. A government motion to contribute troops
to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was backed by 340 of
the 533 lawmakers present in the 550-seat house, while 192 voted
against and one abstained. Under the motion, Turkey will send a
naval force to patrol the Eastern Mediterranean, deploy troops, help
train the Lebanese Army and support allied countries in naval and air
transport. The motion foresees a one-year deployment, but it is not
yet clear how many troops will be sent, nor when and where. Foreign
Minister Abdallah Gul has said the number of soldiers is not likely to
exceed 1,000. Details of the deployment were expected to become clearer
after talks between Turkish leaders and visiting UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, who arrived in Ankara hours before the vote as part of
a regional tour to win support for the Lebanon mission.
The government argues that participation in UNIFIL is an historic
duty to contribute to regional stability, to help strengthen Ankara’s
influence in the Middle East and boost its bid to join the European
Union. "Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is important for
Turkey. The conflict [in the region] may affect us tomorrow, if
not today", Gul told the house. "Providing stability in the Eastern
Mediterranean is the duty not only of Italy and France, but also of
Turkey. We cannot remain indifferent. "Our decision is also compatible
with our argument that Turkey’s entry will turn the EU into a global
force". The government says the mission has minimal risk since the
Turkish contingent will not be a combat force and will not be tasked
with disarming Hezballah.
The debate saw unsuccessful opposition attempts to block the motion
on procedural grounds and hostile exchanges between rival MPs.
Opposition MPs charged that the UN force would serve to protect only
Israel and advance American and Israeli interests in the Middle East.
Some warned the deployment would pitch Turkish soldiers against
fellow-Muslims.
Even though about 20 members of the ruling Justice and Development
Party were reported to be against the deployment, the motion was
easily adopted thanks to the party’s absolute parliamentary majority.
The government’s willingness to deploy troops has sparked strong public
opposition on grounds that Turkish soldiers could face hostile fire
or engage in fighting with Muslims.
In a bid to calm fears, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
earlier that Ankara would withdraw its troops from Lebanon if they
were asked to disarm Hezballah.
In Lebanon, meanwhile, members of the country’s Armenian community
have expressed opposition to the presence of the Turkish contingent.
Turkey’s Ambassador Irfan Acar stressed in an interview his country’s
humanitarian contribution to the people of Lebanon’s devastated
regions and its support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial
integrity of Lebanon.
What are the latest figures on Turkish humanitarian aid to Lebanon?
Turkey has been one of the biggest contributors of humanitarian aid
to Lebanon. Since the early days of hostilities, the Turkish state
and NGOs have been among the first to send humanitarian aid to the
Lebanese people. So far, more than 12 million dollars’ worth of aid
has been delivered to Lebanon, via two military and two civilians
ships, one military aircraft and over 100 trucks. This amounts to
more than 2,000 tons of food, medicine, clothing and blankets. Of
the 12 million dollars, one million is in state aid, four million
from the Red Crescent, and the rest from numerous NGOs.
Turkey has also provided medical aid to kidney patients, including
children. The Lebanese authorities, approached our relevant departments
with a request for hemodialysis equipment, as there had been an urgent
need for this treatment throughout Lebanon. We have delivered several
thousand units of hemodialysis material by two ships.
Would there be a possible contribution of Turkey to the reconstruction
efforts?
Turkey is prepared to help Lebanon in any way it can following the
recent events. As was the case with our humanitarian aid efforts,
Turkey is willing and ready to contribute to the reconstruction
efforts. Thus, we participated in the Stockholm conference and pledged
10 million dollars.
The extent of damage to the infrastructure of Lebanon, such as
residential units, roads, bridges and other facilities, is extensive.
Repair of these facilities will require billion of dollars, according
to the Lebanese authorities.
Already a number of Turkish NGOs following inquiries in Beirut and
South Lebanon, are working on certain projects aimed at repairing
facilities, establishing food distribution centers and other projects
in coordination with the relevant Lebanese institutions. Turkey will
continue to contribute to the reconstruction projects as much as it
can in cooperation with the Lebanese authorities.
The Lebanese government requested Turkey’s participation in UNIFIL.
What are the latest developments in this regard?
Turkey attaches great importance to the unity, territorial integrity
and independence of Lebanon. Preservation of peace and stability in
Lebanon and in our regions is of the utmost importance.
The Turkish government has taken a decision of principle to contribute
to UNIFIL. Subsequently, the Parliament approved the government’s
decision on September 5. Our relevant authorities are working on the
details of the Turkish contribution within the context of the decision
of Parliament.
UNIFIL is a force of multinational character. Many countries from
Europe, members of Organization of the Islamic Conference and others
throughout the world will take part in it.
Upon the request of the Lebanese government, Turkey, as a country of
the region, decided to take part in the force for the maintenance
of peace. It has always expressed its solidarity with Lebanon and
devoted all its efforts to contribute to the stability of Lebanon
and the well-being of its people, and it will continue to do so.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress