Author: Andres-Papazian

FRENCH BILL ON GENOCIDE DENIAL NULL AND VOID FOR TURKEY, PM ERDOGAN SAYS

Today’s Zaman
Jan 24 2012
Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said a bill recently
approved by the French National Assembly and Senate which criminalizes
denial of the World War I killing of Armenians as genocide is null
and void for Turkey, terming the bill “discriminatory and racist.”

“This bill, which was approved by both the French National Assembly
and the Senate, is null and void for us,” Erdogan said during his
Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting
on Tuesday.

Lawmakers in the French Senate voted in favor of the draft law
outlawing genocide denial on Monday after almost six hours of debate.

The lower house had backed it in December, prompting Ankara to cancel
all economic, political and military meetings with Paris and recall
its ambassador for consultations.

Erdogan said the approved law, which he characterized as marking a
revival of a medieval mentality, tramples on European values.

Recalling that Turkey had made the necessary warnings to France prior
to Monday’s voting, saying national parliaments cannot dictate history,
Erdogan said he hopes opponents of the bill in the senate appeal the
law at the French Constitutional Court. “We still carry the hope that
this mistake will be corrected,” he continued.

Erdogan also underlined that Turkey will keep calm and act with
common sense in the face of the law. “Just like the friendship of
Turkey is a great title, its enmity is also a great title for little
people. We do not grant even this title [being an enemy of Turkey]
to France’s approach. We will never let anyone generate political
interest over Turkey. … What is being done is an attempt to win
votes through hostility towards Turkey,” Erdogan said.

He also addressed the “prudent French people and intellectuals,”
saying the approved bill is a clear form of “discrimination, racism
and massacre of freedom of thought.” “We are still in our period of
patience. We will give the necessary reaction in accordance with the
course of developments,” he added.

He also said Turkey will implement measures against France “step
by step.”

The controversial measure needs to be signed by President Nicolas
Sarkozy, whose party proposed it, to become a law, something seen by
many as a mere formality.

President: Turkish-French ties will never be the same Commenting on
the French move on Tuesday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he
“regretfully condemns” the approval of the denial bill, signaling
that Turkish-French ties will never be the same. “This did not suit a
country such as France. France, a leading European country, was listed
among the countries that limit freedom of expression as of yesterday
[Monday] night,” Gul said.

The president added that the bill is an election move, which he said
“degrades” a great country like France.

Parliament speaker: Bill violates freedom of expression Parliament
Speaker Cemil Cicek said on Tuesday that the approval of the bill is
an “unhealthy development with respect to freedom of expression.” He
added that the move by the French National Assembly and Senate will
inevitably negatively affect Turkish-French relations.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY CONDEMNS ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN BILL AT FRENCH SENATE

Anadolu Agency (AA)
Jan 24 2012
Turkey

Turkey condemned French Senate’s adopting a bill which criminalizes
the denial of Armenian allegations about 1915 incidents during
Ottoman period.

Releasing a written statement late on Monday, Turkish Foreign Ministry
said, “we strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic in every
aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility, and declare
that we will express our reaction against it in every platform.”

The ministry stated, “the law proposal presented by deputies of the
governing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), aiming to penalize in
France any challenge to genocide allegations regarding the events of
1915 was adopted by a vote in the General Assembly of the Senate on
January 23. We strongly condemn this decision, which is problematic
in every aspect and constitutes an example of irresponsibility,
and declare that we will express our reaction against it in every
platform.”

“A similar law proposal was rejected earlier by the General Assembly
of the Senate on May 4, 2011 by 196 votes against 74, in line with the
opinion of the Commission of Laws of the Senate which had concluded
that the proposed law was in breach of the Constitution. Although the
Commission of Laws of the Senate once again concluded that the latest
proposal was in breach of the Constitution, the Senate adopted it.

Since there has not been a change in the substance of the matter in
the meantime, this development is a blatant indication of how such
a sensitive issue can be exploited for domestic political purposes
in France. This has been an entirely unfortunate step for French
politics. Politicization of the understanding of justice and history
through other people’s past and damaging freedom of expression in
a tactless manner are first and foremost a loss for France,” said
the ministry.

It noted, “it is obvious that the interpretation of historical events
cannot be determined by the attitude of French politicians who see in
themselves the right to judge other nations on the basis of one-sided
views and declare a judgment on a serious allegation of crime such as
genocide, thereby ignoring the principles of international law. In
fact, no Parliament has such a right nor such a competence. The
decision in question goes further and delivers a blow against the
freedom of expression and scholarly research. At a period when we need
positive examples for the dissemination of universal values throughout
the world, it is disconcerting to see narrow political calculations
producing such a result even in a country which plays a role in the
advancement of such values and which takes pride in rule of law.”

“It is further unfortunate that the historical and multi-dimensional
relations between the Republic of Turkey and France have been
sacrificed to considerations of political agenda in spite of all our
initiatives and warnings, as well as the opinions of prominent French
institutions and jurists. It is quite clear where the responsibility
for this lies,” said the ministry.

“The circles which consider that Turkey has overreacted on this
matter or think that its reaction will only remain in words neither
comprehend the essence of the matter, nor understand Turkey and the
Turkish people. We find it useful to remind all parties that, in case
of the completion of the finalization process for the law, we will
not hesitate to implement, as we deem appropriate, the measures that
we have considered in advance. Similarly, it must be also known that
we will continue to strongly use our right to defend ourselves on a
legitimate basis against unfair allegations. No one should doubt our
Government’s principled approach in this issue,” the ministry noted.

It said, “on the other hand, we share the calls for common sense
of those who, during this process, have admitted the error being
committed in French politics, appealed to return from this error and
opposed to damaging relations with Turkey in such a tactless manner.”

The ministry said, “it is clear that all avenues need to be explored
for the finalization of the present process in a way which will avoid
this being recorded as part of France’s political, legal and moral
mistakes. Turkey is determined to take every step required against
this unjust action, which disregards basic human values and public
conscience.”

From: A. Papazian

FRANCE: ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’ BILL THREATENS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Amnesty International

Jan 24 2012

A bill passed by the French Senate yesterday would violate freedom
of expression by making it a criminal offence to publicly question
events termed as “genocide” under French law, Amnesty International
said today.

In 2001, a French law officially declared that the mass killings
and forced displacement of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915
constituted a genocide.

The new bill would impose up to a one-year jail sentence and/or a
~@45,000 fine on anyone found guilty of “outrageously” questioning
or trivializing such events.

“This bill, if implemented, would have a chilling effect on public
debate and contravene France’s international obligations to uphold
freedom of expression,” said Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central
Asia Director at Amnesty International.

“People should be free to express their opinions on this issue –
in France, Turkey and elsewhere.”

Turkish authorities have consistently denied that what took place
in 1915 was an act of genocide. People in Turkey who contest that
official version of the events have been prosecuted, in violation of
their right to freedom of expression.

The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly held that freedom
of expression applies not only to inoffensive ideas, “but also to
those that offend, shock or disturb the State or any sector of the
population”.

International human rights law allows for restrictions on the exercise
of freedom of expression if necessary and proportionate for certain
specific purposes including respect of the rights or reputations of
others or to protect national security or public order.

Amnesty International believes that neither of these applies in this
instance, and the new legislation would criminalize the exercise of
freedom of expression that is seen as “outrageously” contesting or
trivializing historical events or their characterisation.

International human rights law also obliges states to prohibit advocacy
of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement
to discrimination, hostility or violence.

But while the French authorities claim the law would implement EU
guidelines aimed at combating racist or xenophobic speech that is
“likely to incite violence or hatred”, the new bill does not mention
such incitement as an element of the types of expression that will
be prohibited, and France already has in place legislation which
prohibits such incitement.

“The real issue at stake with this bill is not whether the large-scale
killings and forced displacement of Armenians in 1915 constituted a
genocide, but the French authorities’ attempt to curtail freedom of
expression in response to that debate,” said Nicola Duckworth.

“French authorities are failing to comply with their international
human rights obligations.”

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ANGERS TURKEY

Macleans.ca

Jan 24 2012
Canada

Ankara threatens diplomatic rupture with Paris

by macleans.ca on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:58pm

The French parliament approved a bill on Monday making it illegal to
deny that mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in the early
twentieth century were genocide. In response, Turkey threatened a
total rupture of diplomatic ties with France-a NATO ally. Reuters
reports lawmakers passed the bill in France’s upper house by a 127
to 86 margin. While the bill speaks in general to the denial of any
genocide, it is seen in Turkey as a direct insult, and a bid by French
president Nicolas Sarkozy to win the votes of 500,000 ethnic Armenians
in France. Armenia says 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the first
World War under genocidal policies of the Ottoman Empire in what is
now eastern Turkey; many historians agree, but most Turks strongly
object to the use of the term “genocide” to describe the killings.

President Sarkozy is expected to ratify the bill before the end
of February.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY WARNS SARKOZY OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LAW
By Gavriel Queenann

Arutz Sheva

Jan 24 2012
Israel

Turkey continues to threaten France as President Nicolas Sarkozy
prepares to sign a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Turkey warned French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday against
signing a law that makes it a crime to deny that the killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks nearly a century ago constituted genocide.

France’s parliament approved the bill late Monday over Turkish
objections. Officials in President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government
insisted the vote didn’t directly target the country.

Turkey, which sees the characterization of genocide for its
anti-Armenian pogroms as an insult to its national honor, has
already suspended military, economic and political ties with Paris,
and briefly recalled its ambassador last month when the lower house
of French parliament approved the same bill.

The Senate voted 127 to 86 to pass the bill late Monday. Twenty-four
people abstained. The measure sets a punishment of up to one year
in prison and a fine of C45,000 ($59,000) for those who deny or
“outrageously minimize” the killings.

For some in France, the bill is part of a tradition of legislation
in some European countries, born of the agonies of the Holocaust,
which criminalizes the denial of genocide. Denying the Holocaust is
already a punishable crime in France.

Most historians contend that the 1915 killings of 1.5 million
Armenians as the Ottoman Empire broke up was the 20th century’s first
genocide, and several European countries recognize the massacres
as such. Switzerland has convicted people of racism for denying
the genocide.

The harsh crackdown came during an ongoing Russian-backed series
of Armenian rebellions in Turkey. Armenians call the massacre “The
Great Crime.”

However, there are those who feel referring to the pogroms carried
out by Turkey against the Armenians Genocide cheapens the Holocaust as
the Jews of Europe were peaceful members of European society striving
to be good citizens.

Turkey’s pogroms – The Great Crime – came in response to a widespread
Russian-backed Armenian rebellion.

Officials in Ankara say there was no systematic campaign to
kill Armenians and that many Turks also died during the chaotic
disintegration of the empire. It also says that death toll is inflated.

Sarkozy, whose party supported the bill, must sign it into law,
but that is largely considered a formality.

The office of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned
that Turkey would take further, unspecified steps to punish France
if Sarkozy follows through.

Analysts say, however, with Sarkozy up for re-election and some
400,000 ethnic Armenians holding French citizenship he is unlikely
to be dissuaded.

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH FIRMS TO COUNT COST OF GENOCIDE LAW

EuroNews
Jan 24 2012
France

The Armenian genocide bill passed by the French parliament could hit
French companies doing business, or hoping to do business, with Turkey.

Previous legislation on the issue caused Ankara to block Gaz de
France’s participation in the Nabucco gas pipeline.

But Inane Gurbuz, vice-president of the Franco-Turkish Chamber of
Commerce in Paris, said existing agreements will limit the effects:
“Turkey signed a customs union with Europe, in 1996. So it’s difficult
for the Turkish government to prevent trade. This means that small and
medium sized French businesses will continue to import and export with
Turkey, as in the past. On the other hand, when it comes to bidding
for public contracts (in Turkey), this will handicap French companies,
which could be sidelined.”

That means French firms stand to lose out in bids for defence contracts
and other major projects such as nuclear power stations.

Trade between the two was worth 11.5 billion euros in 2010 with a
trade surplus in France’s favour approaching one billion euros.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY CALLS FRANCE RACIST, HOLDS FIRE ON GENOCIDE MEASURE
By Emre Peker

BusinessWeek

Jan 24 2012
Bloomberg

Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) — Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
accused France’s parliament of racism for a measure criminalizing the
denial of genocide against Armenians in Anatolia, while holding back
on announcing additional sanctions.

The law, which passed in the French Senate last night and would make
the offense punishable by as much as a year in prison and a 45,000-euro
($58,518) fine, isn’t legal and Turkey will ignore it, Erdogan told
lawmakers of his governing party at the parliament in Ankara. About
20 other nations including Russia and Canada recognize the events in
Anatolia as genocide.

Erdogan called the French law an “error” that he hoped wouldn’t be
implemented, even as he continued to threaten sanctions against France,
Turkey’s seventh-biggest trading partner with $14.8 billion of goods
exchanged last year. Nicolas Sarkozy is using the matter to shore up
public support before elections in May, Erdogan said, appealing to
the French president’s past as he promised Turkey will remain calm.

“The measure that was approved by the National Assembly of France and
then the Senate is downright discrimination, racism and a very clear
massacre of freedom of thought,” Erdogan said in televised comments
today. “This is an effort to convert votes out of hatred of Turkey.”

Turkey ‘Patient’

Erdogan’s tone contrasts with his response in December, when Turkey
froze political and military relations with France after the lower
chamber backed the measure. The premier had told Sarkozy then to ask
his grandfather about a French genocide against Algerians. Today,
Erdogan said Turkey is “patient” and will see how the process plays
out, while reminding Sarkozy of his ties to Turkey because his
grandfather was an Ottoman Jew whose ancestors were banished from
Spain during the Inquisition.

France follows countries such as Switzerland, which has arrested and
fined at least three Turks who deny genocide against Armenians.

Turkish trade with Switzerland almost doubled to $6.1 billion last
year from 2003, when the country passed its genocide legislation,
according to Turkey’s statistics agency.

“This day will be written in gold, not only in the history of
friendship between the Armenian and French peoples, but also in the
annals of the history of the protection of human rights worldwide,”
Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian said in a statement.

Armenians say 1.5 million ethnic Armenians were killed from 1915
to 1923 in a deliberate campaign of genocide. Turkey maintains the
deaths occurred as part of clashes in which tens of thousands of
Turks and Armenians died after Armenian groups sided with a Russian
army invading the Ottoman Empire, Turkey’s predecessor.

Seeking Signatures

Turkey is working with French lawmakers who opposed the measure to get
60 signatures and appeal the legislation to the constitutional court,
Erdogan said. The French Senate’s law committee rejected the bill,
saying it was unconstitutional, and recommended that the body drop it
from its agenda. Senators passed the legislation by a vote of 127-86.

That vote was “inopportune,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said
on Canal-Plus television. “Turkey and France need each other to work
together on many issues. I hope reason wins out over passion,” he said.

Thousands of Turks in Paris protested the measure outside the Senate,
separated by a 200-meter (650-foot) police corridor from Armenians
who backed the law, Turkey’s state-run Anatolia news agency reported
yesterday. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had lobbied
against the bill by summoning executives of Credit Agricole SA and
Groupama SA in December.

‘Wrong Decision’

Turkey temporarily withdrew its ambassador to Paris, Tahsin Burcuoglu,
after the lower house approved the measure. He may be recalled to
Ankara for discussions following last night’s vote, according to
Anatolia. “This is a very wrong decision,” he said.

Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally of France, has
threatened economic as well as political reprisals over the law.

French carmakers including Renault SA control a fifth of Turkey’s
market and French banks such as BNP Paribas SA have assets in the
country exceeding $20 billion. French direct investment in Turkey
between 2002 and 2010 was $4.8 billion, the Turkish embassy in Paris
has said.

–With assistance from Helene Fouquet and Gregory Viscusi in Paris.

Editors: Jennifer M. Freedman, Digby Lidstone

From: A. Papazian

LUKESHANKO PROMISES TO HELP PROSPEROUS ARMENIA WITH VOTERS

Vestnik Kavkaza
Jan 24 2012
Russia

The Prosperous Armenia Party expects foreign support at the upcoming
parliamentary polls, News.am reports.

Members of the party say that Gagik Tsarukyan helped Ukrainian and
Belarusian Presidents Victor Yanukovych and Alexander Lukashenko and
now it is their turn to return the favor. Lukashenko promised to send
12,000 voters to Armenia. Armenian citizens living in Belarus are
expected to arrive for the polls and give vote for Tsarukyan’s party.

From: A. Papazian

KNESSET SPEAKER: WE DON’T HAVE PRIVILEGE TO DENY OTHERS’ TRAGEDIES

Ynet news
Jan 24 2012
Israel

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said at a plenum meeting marking the
International Holocaust Remembrance Day that “our international
politics obliges us to be moral. We don’t have the privilege to deny
the tragedies of other people, be it the Armenians, Syrians or others.

“Even when denial is convenient, history has destined us to fight
against such atrocities. We cannot stand aside and let the world
remain indifferent,” he added. (Moran Azulay)

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH PM LABELS FRENCH GENOCIDE BILL “RACIST”

EuroNews
Jan 24 2012
France

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the French
Senate vote to criminalise genocide denial of the 1915-16 killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks as “racist and discriminatory.”

Erdogan called on the 86 French Senators who voted against the bill
to appeal the decision at the country’s highest court. The court has
the power to block the bill if it considers it unconstitutional.

The Turkish Prime Minister added that if the law is ratified then
Turkey will adopt further sanctions against France.

Ankara has already cancelled all economic, political and military
meetings between the two countries, moves which illustrate just how
angry Ankara is with Paris.

Turkish media turn on Sarkozy over genocide law

In the Turkish press, caricatures presenting Nicolas Sarkozy as
the devil said it all about local reaction to the French genocide
law. The headlines screamed of an attack on democracy and warned of
a tough response.

It reflected the feelings of some in Istanbul. One man said: “This
law is against the freedom of speech. The law dictates from one
direction and forbids a reaction from the other direction. For this
reason it’s bad”.

A woman said:”Of course it will effect our relations badly. Many
people will react to it, which is normal. I think it’s not right to
be biased.”

From: A. Papazian