24 April 2010
BEIRUT: As Armenians from across 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.”
Copyright The Daily Star 2010.
