TURKISH PARLIAMENT DECIDES TO SEND DELEGATION TO FRANCE
APA
Dec 14 2011
Azerbaijan
Ankara objects to discussion by French Senate of the bill criminalizing
so-called “Armenian genocide” denial
Ankara. Mayis Alizadeh – APA. After it became known that the French
Senate will discuss the bill criminalizing the so-called “Armenian
genocide” denial on December 22, Turkish parliament decided to send
a delegation to this country. APA’s Turkey bureau reports that the
delegation led by chairman of Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs
commission Volkan Bozkir will also include the representatives from
Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Parliamentarian from CHP, member of the foreign affairs commission
Oktay Eksi told APA that France must withdraw its initiative.
“France claims to be a champion in freedom of speech, freedom
of opinion. Criminalization of the denial of mistakes in its laws
contradicts this claim of France. Those who rule France and those who
impose restrictions on freedom of opinion must be ashamed,” he said.
Parliamentarian from MHP, member of the foreign affairs commission
Tunca Toskay said this step of France is an illogical, groundless,
subjective initiative against Turkey.
“They speak about the freedom of expression and at the same time
threat to arrest those who prove that it did not happen. This can be
a step taken to get the support of Armenians in the domestic policy,
but it is unbecoming to the foreign policy of France. When Turkey
started normalizing relations with Armenia, the government told
the people that it is very effective. We all see what this policy
has resulted in. Sargsyan says Turkish politicians will bow to the
“Armenian genocide” monument. This is a great “success” of honorable
Abdullah Gul and AKP. Soon after the protocols were signed, we objected
to it and drew attention to three important points: Armenians must
withdraw troops from the occupied territories and live at peace with
Azerbaijan; must give up claims regarding Eastern Anatolia; demands
regarding Turkey must be removed from Armenian Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence. We said without this no relations can
be established with Armenia. But under the pressure of the West, US,
European Union the government has chosen this way and is now getting
its bitters,” he said.
From: A. Papazian