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Armenian community in Lebanon is well organized
Interview conducted
by Karine MANGASSARIAN
Yerkir.am
July 28, 2006
Editor in Chief of "Aztag" Newspaper in Beirut Shahan Gantaharian
told us about the situation with the Armenian community in Lebanon
and the organization of assistance for the refugees.
Q: What can you tell us about the developments of the last several
days? A: The war started by Israel against Lebanon has been going on
for fifteen days. The war has brought tremendous destruction and the
damage it has caused is estimated at billions of dollars. The military
actions of the last several days were concentrated in the southern
border territories. There are serious clashes between Hezbollah
and the Israeli army. Israel has bombed the military units of the
Lebanese army dislocated to the North of Beirut and the broadcasting
station of Radio Lebanon. It is not yet known whether they bombed
it from the air or from the Israeli military ships located near the
Lebanon shore. There is no information as to the number of dead or
injured. The perspective for a cease fire is still very vague since
the preconditions the sides put forward are very different.
Q: We were informed that an inter-party meeting was held in Beirut that
sent an appeal to the Armenian community. What issues were discussed
at this meeting? A: The Armenian community in Lebanon is organizing
assistance to the refugees. An inter-party meeting was held on Monday
in which representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Party, Ramkavar Liberal Party and Social-Democrat Hnchakian Party
participated. At the end of the meeting the parties came up with an
appeal to the Armenian community to stay united around the Armenian
political parties.
On July 25 the delegation of ARF's Central Committee in Lebanon
visited Vehapar Aram I, the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan
Ter-Ghevondian and the leaders of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical
Churches. Consultations were held during these meetings and issues
of development and revitalization of the Armenian community life
were discussed. Ambassador Vahan Ter-Ghevondian informed Azdak that
Armenia will provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, mostly
medicines. The Armenian assistance will reach Aleppo on July 28 and
will be transported to Lebanon from there.
Q: What is the situation with assistance to the refugees?
A: The coordination body established by ARF continues to work
intensively organizing assistance. There are many problems awaiting
solution. People listen to the calls made by this body and have their
contribution to the organization of humanitarian works. Armenian and
foreign media are constantly in touch with Azdak newspaper. They have
noted that the dynamic updates on Azdak's website are very important
for them. I would like to inform that we have already published on our
website the video materials prepared by Yerkir Media's Lebanon office
and ARF's office. These materials mostly tell about the assistance
programs implemented in the community.
Interview conducted
by Karine MANGASSARIAN
Yerkir.am
July 28, 2006
Editor in Chief of "Aztag" Newspaper in Beirut Shahan Gantaharian
told us about the situation with the Armenian community in Lebanon
and the organization of assistance for the refugees.
Q: What can you tell us about the developments of the last several
days? A: The war started by Israel against Lebanon has been going on
for fifteen days. The war has brought tremendous destruction and the
damage it has caused is estimated at billions of dollars. The military
actions of the last several days were concentrated in the southern
border territories. There are serious clashes between Hezbollah
and the Israeli army. Israel has bombed the military units of the
Lebanese army dislocated to the North of Beirut and the broadcasting
station of Radio Lebanon. It is not yet known whether they bombed
it from the air or from the Israeli military ships located near the
Lebanon shore. There is no information as to the number of dead or
injured. The perspective for a cease fire is still very vague since
the preconditions the sides put forward are very different.
Q: We were informed that an inter-party meeting was held in Beirut that
sent an appeal to the Armenian community. What issues were discussed
at this meeting? A: The Armenian community in Lebanon is organizing
assistance to the refugees. An inter-party meeting was held on Monday
in which representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Party, Ramkavar Liberal Party and Social-Democrat Hnchakian Party
participated. At the end of the meeting the parties came up with an
appeal to the Armenian community to stay united around the Armenian
political parties.
On July 25 the delegation of ARF's Central Committee in Lebanon
visited Vehapar Aram I, the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan
Ter-Ghevondian and the leaders of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical
Churches. Consultations were held during these meetings and issues
of development and revitalization of the Armenian community life
were discussed. Ambassador Vahan Ter-Ghevondian informed Azdak that
Armenia will provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, mostly
medicines. The Armenian assistance will reach Aleppo on July 28 and
will be transported to Lebanon from there.
Q: What is the situation with assistance to the refugees?
A: The coordination body established by ARF continues to work
intensively organizing assistance. There are many problems awaiting
solution. People listen to the calls made by this body and have their
contribution to the organization of humanitarian works. Armenian and
foreign media are constantly in touch with Azdak newspaper. They have
noted that the dynamic updates on Azdak's website are very important
for them. I would like to inform that we have already published on our
website the video materials prepared by Yerkir Media's Lebanon office
and ARF's office. These materials mostly tell about the assistance
programs implemented in the community.