TURKEY THREATENS FRANCE WITH NEW SANCTIONS OVER GENOCIDE BILL

Novinite

Jan 23 2012
Bulgaria

Ankara is prepared to continue its measures against France if the
French Senate passes a bill criminalizing the denial of the genocide
against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

“Turkey will continue to implement sanctions as long as this bill
remains in motion,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told
reporters ahead of the debate, expressing his hope that “common sense”
will reign in the French Senate.

Turkish officials have claimed that the bill would compromise freedom
of expression in France.

MPs in the French lower house approved the bill last month, leading
to a crisis in the country’s diplomatic relations with Turkey.

Senators from both the ruling conservative UMP party, as well as
opposition Socialists, have indicated that they will vote in favour
of the bill which is expected to be passed, according to France 24.

If the bill passes the French Senate, people who deny that the mass
killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I constituted
genocide will face a one-year jail term and a fine of up to EUR 45 000.