ArmenPress
Jan 12 2004
FRENCH ARMENIAN GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE DEMANDING MEETING WITH
PRESIDENT CHIRAC
MARSEILLE, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: A French Armenian woman in
Marseille went on hunger strike on January 6 in an Armenian church
requesting a meeting with president Jacques Chirac whom she wants to
put forth Turkey’s recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide as
precondition for joining the EU.
Les Nouvelles d’Armenie Internet website reports that the 50-year
Koular Gharibian, a writer, explained what had prompted her to take
the step. ” I was outraged by debates in France over Turkey’s
possible membership with the European Union. Germany is part of the
EU, but it had acknowledged the Holocaust and apologized to Jews ,”
she said.
She first requested a meeting with Chirac in 2004 October
announcing her decision to go on hunger strike if he refused to
accept her.
She sent a second letter to Chirac before going on hunger strike
saying she would end it after Chirac agrees to meet her and gives
assurances that Turkey would be allowed to join the EU after
recognizing the 1915 genocides and apologizing to Armenians.
“Would president Chirac allow me to fell victim to the hunger
strike?” she said.