LEBANON’S ARMENIANS PREPARE TO MARK 95TH ‘ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE’
Matern Boeselager

The Daily Star
on_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=114153#axzz0 lxYxr97c
April 23 2010
Lebanon

Leaders laud suspension of pact with Turkey

Lebanon gather in Bourj Hammoud Saturday to mark the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, their political representatives are
increasingly worried by Turkey’s growing influence in the region.

While the killing of one-and-a-half million Armenians nearly a
century ago is recognized as genocide by more than 20 nations, the
Republic of Turkey refuses to accept the term, arguing that both
Turks and Armenians were killed during the chaotic break-up of the
Ottoman empire.

After Thursday’s announcement by Armenia’s ruling coalition that
it had suspended the ratification of peace accords with Turkey,
Lebanese Armenian politicians expressed their hope that the treaty
would now be dropped altogether. Hugely unpopular in the Armenian
Diaspora, the agreement calls for a joint commission to examine the
"historical dimension" of the two countries’ relations.

"The suspension is a first step, but the most important thing is to
stop the protocols entirely," said Vera Yacoubian, of the Tashnag
party. She said "we opposed them from the start," citing objections
to the way border issues will be dealt with, and the establishment
of a committee of historians to examine the genocide, which opponents
see as unnecessary.

Her position was echoed by Dr. Avedis Dakessian of the Ramgavar party
who lauded Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan’s decision as "brave"
and also expressed his hope that the accord would be cancelled.

But both officials expressed concern over Turkey’s growing importance
in the region, especially when the matter touches on strengthening
ties between Lebanon and Turkey. On Monday, Armenian youths supported
by the Tashnag Party protested against a Turkish-Lebanese business
forum at the Movenpick Hotel in Beirut.

"We are worried by this cooperation," Yacoubian said. "The Lebanese
government should take into consideration the feelings of the Armenians
living in Lebanon."

Dakessian concurred. "We are not against Lebanon having relations with
Ankara," he said. "But we would like to warn the Lebanese government
not to trust Turkey."

An official from the third major Armenian party in Lebanon, however,
expressed full confidence in Beirut’s handling of the relationship.

"The government must do whatever is best for the country, and good
relations with the neighbors are important," pointed out the Hentchak
Party’s Khatzig Shahinian.

The local commemoration of the events that took place nearly a
century ago include a morning Mass Saturday at the Armenian Orthodox
Catholicosate in Antelias, followed by an address by Catholicos
Aram I. This will be followed by a procession along one lane of the
coastal highway from Antelias to Bourj Hammoud municipal stadium,
where officials from all three parties will address the crowd.

Establishments in Bourj Hammoud will be closed Saturday to commemorate
the event, with participation by non-Armenians who have shops and
stores in the town.

"We have to support the Armenians cause, we close for the rights of
their martyrs," said Raymond Baba, an employee at a non-Armenian-owned
shop. "Anyway, since everything else is closed Saturday, there won’t
be any customers anyway."

But as Bourj Hammoud shades into the neighboring area of Dora,
Saturday’s shut-down will also lose steam, amid the variety of
nationalities that dominate the neighborhood.

"Our customers are mostly from Asian countries, so there wouldn’t be
much point in closing," said the owner of a supermarket that sells
Asian food. Dora’s growing population of migrant workers from Asian
countries such as the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka has slightly
altered the area’s demographics, with newcomers more or less unaware
of Armenian traditions.

"I don’t really know what is going to happen Saturday," admitted
Marie-Anne Andradi, a Dora resident from the Philippines. "I remember
hearing about a massacre, but I can’t say what it is about exactly."

Wilma Abdon, the owner of a Filipino restaurant just off Armenia
Street, conceded that although she knew about the killings of
Armenians, she hadn’t considered shutting her establishment.

"Everybody who eats here is from the Philippines, so I don’t think
anybody will be offended if I keep it open."

On the other hand, even some Armenians are considering staying open
for business Saturday. "I wish I could close, to show my respect
for the 1.5 million dead," said Vahe Simonian, who runs a telephone
exchange at the Dora intersection. "Some of my neighbors here will
close, but my shop is small, and I can’t afford it."