TURKEY HAS INTERESTS IN LEBANON
Support A1+!By allocating forces in Lebanon Turkey is trying to enhance its position in the region.
“We must not forget that the Near East has been under the reign of Turkey for centuries. There were suchlike comments in Turkey too – We left Lebanon 88 years ago, and now we are returning”, said Ruben Safrastyan, dean of the RA National Academy of Science oriental studies chair commenting on the decision of the Turkish Parliament about sending peace-keeping forces to Lebanon. According to the historian, this is also an attempt by Turkey to flatter the USA and the EU.
«The USA, as well as the EU is interested in Turkey's sending peace-keeping forces to Lebanon. This is a gesture by Turkey».
The Armenians of Lebanon were against the Turkish troupes in the country saying that Turkey cannot be defender of rights. According to Ruben Safrastyan, not only the Armenians, but also the majority of the Turkish society was against it.
«The concern was that the peace-keepers might collide with «Hezbollah» which could arouse anxiety of the pro-Islamic powers in Turkey. That's why the Turks avoid those regions where they can get in touch with «Hezbollah», Mr. Safrastyan thinks.
According to the historian, the Arabian world does not approve of the Turkish peace-keepers fearing that Turkey might try to restore its former influence.
As for the Armenian policy of not sending troupes to Lebanon, the historian thinks it right.
«What could we gain sending troupes there? We do not have geo-political problems to solve in the Near East. We have a large community there which is in certain relations with all the political powers, that is we poke into relations which could harm our nations. We would lose more than gain», Mr. Safrastyan says.
