TREND Info, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2006

Presidential Administration`s Department`s Chief: Steps Taken by
France`s Parliament May Have an Influence on International Relations

Source: Trend
Author: A. Ismayilova

13.10.2006

Such a country like France, where democratic and human rights
principles are highly developed, should be very careful in discussing
such a sensitive issue, Novruz Mammadov, Chief of External Affairs
Department of the Azerbaijan President`s Office exclusively told
Trend today commenting the law envisaging a punishment for a denial
of the Armenian Genocide, which was adopted by the French National
Assembly yesterday.

Mr. Mammadov thinks that such actions may have a negative influence
on international relations. He is sorry that a group of MPs of the
French National Assembly have been caught by an effect of the
inventory `Armenian Genocide’, had not counted its steps.

Mr. Mammadov is sure that adopting of such a law is contrary to
principles of the freedom of person existing in France. `Just imagine
that in the country with the population of 60 m., all the citizens
will suddenly be punished for expressing their opinions relating the
events happened 100 years ago. How you can explain it?’ , he told.

The Head of the Presidential Administration’s External Affairs
Department told that first of all it is necessary to find out the
exact opinion relating these events, study archives, and only then
express their position. `At present, the advantage of political
factor is evident. And the Armenian influence on these processes is
direct’, he told.

`The French Parliament has already acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide. Why should they have raised this issue again? Politicians
cannot give an exact estimation to historic events. Moreover, some
French figures, specialists, and international historians have many
times stated that this issue was invented, and given the adequate
sources’. Taking the decision when the clarity has not moved for all
that may trigger negative tendencies in international relations, as
well as affect the constructivity of the current negotiations on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. Soon they will realize that the
step they took was wrong’, he thinks.

He also considers that amid the happening, France, as a Co-Chair of
OSCE Minsk Group will have to do its best in order that its neutral
position and sincerity was out of the question.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress