Editorial

The "No!" of a Historic Community
By Shahan Kandaharian

The united statement issued by the three Armenian political parties active in Lebanon, though extremely relevant to current events, also stands to create greater discussion in the long term.

This rare initiative extends our communal horizons and invites all strata of the community to stand together on a vital national issue and to work together to overcome the challenges we face.

Much has been said about creating unity within our community and presenting a united front when faced with outside challenges. But a lot has also been said about showing this unity through more than political statements read on podiums during April 24 commemorations.

Unfortunately, we were to develop such a united front in much of our past. Today, however, the international political climate and the so-called “rules of the game” have once again forced us to consolidate our stance and react in the appropriate manner.

Our community is now faced with a significant obstacle. In order to overcome it, it needs the combined force of all its components and parties. Responding to the current challenge, the three Armenian political parties have adopted a united stance that rejects the participation of our enemy in its attempts to resolve the political crisis in Lebanon.

This unity is reflected in the joint statement made in the three parties' official publications. The Armenian community's press is also displaying a united stance by rejecting any political initiatives by Turkish officials in Lebanon.

This unity disproves rumors of internal discord within the Armenian community. Not only is there unity in the way we view the issues, but agreement on the priority of the issues, as well.

There is no need for surprise. The issue is clear because it relates to a genocidal government and its representative. There is no gray area when dealing with the prime minister of a government that denies genocide. There can be no compromise when the issue is Turkish participation in Lebanese affairs. This stance stems from the following political arguments:

· Turkey has no right to play peacemaker, since it has signed a military and strategic alliance with Israel, one of the warring sides in the recent conflict.

· Turkey itself has the status of an occupier. It invaded and occupied parts of Cyprus, which forced the international community to send peacekeepers to the island.

· Turkey is still regularly accused by European organizations of violating the rights of its ethnic and religious minorities. A government that persecutes its own citizens cannot possibly assume the role of an impartial peacemaker in another conflict.

· Turkey continues to deny the Armenian Genocide. And this issue is not only relevant from the viewpoint of Lebanese-Armenians. Various religious and ethnic communities co-exist in Lebanon, where balance and equality is maintained among all. In 2000, the Lebanese Parliament condemned the Armenian Genocide in its strictest terms and demanded that the Turkish government recognize it in order to prevent future genocides.


It is not a coincidence that the Armenian community chose the main artery between New Hajen and Bourj Hamoud to make its views and rejection of Turkish participation known and, under the banner of its united political parties, once again said "No" to the Turkish Prime Minister.