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Middle East ANC Conference Addresses Turkey's Growing Influence In R

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  • Middle East ANC Conference Addresses Turkey's Growing Influence In R

    MIDDLE EAST ANC CONFERENCE ADDRESSES TURKEY'S GROWING INFLUENCE IN REGION

    Asbarez
    Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

    Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) seems intent on
    increasing Turkey's influence with such neighbors as Syria's President
    Bashar Assad (2nd right).

    BEIRUT (Aztag)-Leaders and members of Armenian National Committee
    chapters of Middle East gathered in Bourdj Hammoud, Lebanon Sunday
    for a one-day conference, which addressed the current challenges
    facing Armenians in the Middle East given Turkey's efforts to exert
    political influence in the region.

    "At this juncture, taking into consideration the political development
    in the region and given Turkey's growing penetration in the region,
    we decided to organize this conference in order to consult one another
    and discuss this issue," said Middle East ANC director Vera Yacoubian.

    Yacoubian explained that the conference's goal was to develop a new
    strategy in light of Turkey's increasing presence in the region and
    how that reality can impact ANC activities in the Middle East.

    The ANC leader emphasized that even in Lebanon, where the Armenian
    community is an integral part of Lebanese society, Turkey's recent
    overtures foreshadow growing challenges and obstacles for Armenian
    communities and ANC efforts, similar to other Middle Eastern countries.

    The conference participants, which included representatives from
    Syria, Iran, Egypt, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf regions, discussed
    the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in the Arab World, where there are
    varying approaches and challenges. The imperative for the pursuit of
    Armenian issues was emphasized by all participants of the conference.

    Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Levon Lazarian was on
    hand to address the importance of the conference given the increasing
    level of Turkey's anti-Armenian posturing and its manifestations in
    Turkey's dealings with its neighboring states.

    Lazarian pointed to the so-called Neo-Ottomanism, which has become a
    driving point for Turkey's foreign policy and the importance of that
    approach within the Arab World. He emphasized that, more than ever,
    there is a need for concrete approaches when working in the countries
    that have played host to Genocide survivors.

    He said the Armenians of the Middle East must be able to defend its
    historic rights, but take into consideration the sensitivities and
    approaches within each country.

    Turkey's growing role, as well as its close relations with the
    Arab World, poses new challenges for the Armenian people. This, the
    conference concluded, requires a focused and committed approach to
    the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in this area of the world.




    From: A. Papazian
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