GEMAYEL SEEKING TO RESTORE RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMENIANS
Naharnet, Lebanon
Aug 9 2007
Former President Amin Gemayel sought to restore his relationship with
the Armenian community which impaired over the Metn by-election.
"Let us not forget that the Armenian Martyrs Statue lies right next
to the statue of Sheikh Pierre," Gemayel told reporters on Wednesday
after meeting Armenian Catholicos Aram I Keshishian at his summer
home in Bikfaya.
The late Pierre Gemayel, who is the ex-president’s father, is founder
of the Phalange Party.
Gemayel, whose supporters blamed his loss on the large ethnic Armenian
community in the Metn district, declined allegations that he said
anything offensive to the Armenian people.
The Armenian Tashnag Party allied itself with Gen. Michel Aoun in
the Metn by-election.
"Some people confused what I said with what others said," Gemayel said.
Gemayel said that he had filed a complaint at the police station over
certain irregularities that took place during the Metn votes at Borj
Hammoud polling stations, adding that he was following up on the issue.
Gemayel, however, stressed that the Armenians are "dear to his heart,"
stressing on the economic, social and cultural ties with the Armenian
society in Lebanon.
Lawmaker Hagop Pakradounian explained that a lawsuit filed by Armenian
deputies was not directed against Gemayel but against Gabriel Murr
for comments he made.