“ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN BILL TO BE A BIG BLOW TO TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS”
Anadolu Agency
Jan 11 2012
Turkey
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 15:22 .Turkish Ambassador in Paris, Tahsin
Burcuoglu, said Wednesday that the adoption of an Armenian resolution
at the French Senate would be a big blow to Turkish-French relations.
Addressing the Socialist Group at the French Senate, Ambassador
Burcuoglu said that the Armenian resolution was against the freedom
of expression and freedom of thought.
The Socialists at the French Senate invited Ambassador Burcuoglu to
listen to Turkey’s views more closely before the Armenian resolution
gets on the agenda of the Senate on January 23.
Burcuoglu gave detailed information to the French Socialists on the
incidents of 1915.
The lower house of the French parliament adopted in December a
resolution that criminalizes rejection of Armenian allegations
pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Only 70 out of 577
parliamentarians joined the voting of the resolution which was adopted
with majority of votes.
The resolution envisages “one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for
those who deny genocide recognized by French laws.” French Parliament
had recognized so-called Armenian genocide in 1915 on January 29, 2001.
The draft criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations had
first been approved in 2006, but it could not become a law as French
President Nicolas Sarkozy prevented its presentation to Senate.
Now, the senate’s approval is necessary to make the resolution a law.
Turkey strongly opposes the issue of the incidents of 1915 being
used as a tool in French politics. Many believe that French President
Sarkozy supports the Armenian resolution in order to garner support
from France’s Armenian population that number around 500,000.
France will hold the first round of this year’s presidential election
on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6. Sarkozy is running
for a second term.
If the resolution is not adopted at the senate till February 22, 2012
when the parliament and senate will recess for presidential elections,
it will be invalid.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2012/01/12/ankara-adoption-of-armenian-bill-to-be-a-big-blow-to-turkish-frenc/
