Author: Andres-Papazian

DES VOIX SELEVENT POUR REJOINDRE LA COMMUNAUTE ARMENIENNE
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
mercredi 4 mai 2011

Dans l’histoire a la fois riche et tourmentee du 20ème siècle, les
massacres des Armeniens en 1915 – un genocide au sens juridique du
terme – constitue l’un des chapitres le plus noirs. La reconnaissance
par la France du genocide armenien a ete actee par la loi du 19
janvier 2001, loi que j’ai eu l’honneur de voter en tant que senateur.

Communique de presse de Bertrand Delanoë

Paris, fidèle a sa vocation de terre d’accueil, est devenue, au fil
des ans, l’un des centres culturels et intellectuels de la diaspora
armenienne. L’une de mes premières decisions en tant que maire de
Paris etait de rendre hommage aux victimes du genocide chaque annee
en deposant une gerbe de la Ville de Paris au pied de la statue de
Komitas, lieu traditionnel de rassemblement des Armeniens de Paris.

Il est donc naturel que des voix parisiennes se lèvent aujourd’hui
pour rejoindre celles de la communaute armenienne dans la lutte sans
relâche contre le negationnisme du genocide armenien. Puisque il
s’agit d’une realite, il est logique de vouloir punir sa negation,
comme la loi Gayssot le fit en 1990 pour la Shoah.

A partir du 4 mai, la proposition de loi penalisant la negation du
genocide armenien sera debattue au Senat. Deposee par des senateurs
socialistes en juillet 2010, il faudra comme prealable au debat que
les senateurs repoussent l’exception d’irrecevabilite que la commission
des lois a malheureusement opposee au texte.

Depuis que le 12 octobre 2006 l’Assemblee nationale a vote la
penalisation du genocide armenien, le president de la Republique et
le gouvernement ont fait en sorte que ce texte ne soit pas transmis
au Senat, ce qui a oblige les elus socialistes de la Haute Assemblee
a deposer une autre proposition afin de dejouer cette politique
d’obstruction systematique, de ce veto tacite motivee, nous dit la
droite, par les possibles ” embarras diplomatiques ” avec la Turquie.

La verite est que Nicolas Sarkozy ne tient pas sa parole. Le 24
avril 2007, alors candidat a la presidentielle, il avait dans une
lettre ouverte aux associations armeniennes promis de soutenir la
ratification par le Senat de la loi de 2006. Il fustigeait alors le
” negationnisme d’Etat ” venu d’Ankara. Puis une fois elu il a fait
l’inverse, se taisant aussi lorsqu’au lendemain de la commemoration
du genocide armenien, le 24 avril, le gouvernement turc detruit le ”
monument de l’humanite ” erige a Kars ~uvre du grand sculpteur Mehmet
Aksoy qui symbolise, dans la region meme où eut lieu le genocide,
la reconciliation possible et indispensable entre les deux peuples.

Il n’y a dans mon esprit aucun propos agressif envers le peuple turc,
mais l’attitude de leur gouvernement est d’autant plus choquante qu’en
Turquie meme, des voix s’elèvent pour reconnaître le genocide armenien,
a l’image du rassemblement qui s’est tenu le 24 avril devant le musee
d’art d’Istanbul afin de proclamer qu’il etait temps de mettre un
terme a la politique de negation du genocide. Ce sont ces voix-la
qui doivent etre encouragees, dans l’interet meme de la Turquie et
de ses relations avec l’Europe. Comme les Francais et les Allemands
ont su se reconcilier après la terrible Seconde Guerre mondiale, il
faut se battre pour que les peuples armenien et turc se reconcilient,
ce qui necessite pour commencer que l’Etat turc reconnaisse la realite
du genocide armenien.

From: A. Papazian

IL FAUT PUNIR LE NEGATIONNISME

CHARLES AZNAVOUR

armenews.com
mercredi 4 mai 2011

Par CHARLES AZNAVOUR

Ainsi la loi sanctionnant la negation du genocide des Armeniens va
enfin etre discutee ce 4 mai au Senat. Il se sera donc passe presque
cinq ans avant que ce texte, qui avait ete vote le 12 octobre 2006
par l’Assemblee nationale, soit soumis a ratification. Une longue
periode qui aura permis a ce negationnisme d’etat de se propager sur
notre territoire a travers diverses manifestations, sites internet,
profanations, actes de vandalisme, provocations. J’en tiens la liste
a disposition de qui veut. Ces agressions s’inscrivent dans le droit
fil de la logique de haine qui avait preside au genocide de 1915. Elles
participent de la meme discrimination raciale et de la meme arrogance
criminelle qui avait sous-tendu l’entreprise d’extermination. Est-il
possible qu’en France, la-meme où nos parents ont trouve refuge pour
echapper a ces ignominies, leurs petits-enfants soient poursuivis
près d’un siècle plus tard par la meme malveillance, la meme ideologie
meurtrière, le meme fleau, le tout promu par le meme Etat turc ?

Beaucoup d’interferences ont pollue le debat sur cette loi que
d’aucuns vivent comme une limite a leur liberte d’expression. Mais
quelle liberte ? Le negationnisme est une offense a la verite des
faits, une atteinte a la memoire des victimes, un outrage a la
dignite humaine. C’est un appel a la violence et a la recidive. Le
negationnisme d’etat est un element constitutif du crime. A ce titre,
il serait inconcevable que sa repression ne soit pas prise en charge
par l’Etat.

Comme quasiment tous les Armeniens de France, mes parents faisaient
partie des rescapes de 1915. Je garderai a jamais en memoire les
visages de cette generation de miracules, dont certains ont recouvert
les murs de France en 1943, quand l’affiche rouge designait a la
vindicte les Resistants de la main-d’~uvre immigree. La famille
que j’ai construite est cosmopolite. Elle recouvre tout l’eventail
des religions du Livre. Je me suis toujours eleve contre toutes
les formes de racisme, et j’ai tendu la main au peuple turc, que je
ne confonds pas avec ses gouvernants. Mais ces valeurs humanistes
que je n’ai eu de cesse de defendre pour tout le monde, je voudrais
aujourd’hui qu’elles soient pleinement respectees pour les miens. Ce
qui n’est pas le cas. C’est pourquoi Messieurs les senateurs je vous
demande de reparer cette injustice et de voter la loi faisant barrage
au negationnisme du genocide des Armeniens. Personne n’a pu enrayer
le mecanisme d’aneantissement de la civilisation de l’Armenie dite
turque. C’etait la Première Guerre mondiale. Qu’on se donne au moins
les moyens d’en empecher la negation, aujourd’hui que nous sommes
encore en paix.

From: A. Papazian

THE GREEDY SPARROW: AN ARMENIAN TALE

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Saffron Tree Multicultural Book Reviews

The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale

retold by Lucine Kasbarian
illustrated by Maria Zaikina

Ages 4-8

Marshall Cavendish Children, April 2011

Folktales and fables from around the world have striking similarities
in that they convey universal truth and wisdom, typically via animal
protagonists, generously laced with humor. And yet, they differ in
the presentation, drawing from cultural traditions of the people
orally handing down these tales.

One of the Armenian folktales passed down through generations in the
author’s family orally is The Greedy Sparrow. The book dedication
reads, To my forbears, great-grandmother, and father, all of whom
preserved the sparrow fable through the ages. The great-grandmother
mentioned is a celebrated storyteller from the Old Country.

I was delighted to get in touch with author/journalist Lucine Kasbarian
a few weeks ago. As her website  notes, the author is passionate
about her ethnic Armenian heritage and enthusiastically shares it
with the world.

The Greedy Sparrow is the first time English retelling of this tale.

It starts with Once there was and was not a sparrow, which suggests
that the tale may be real or imagined, we may never know.

A sparrow gets a thorn in his foot. He flies around and finds a
kindly baker who removes the thorn and tosses it into her oven. The
wily sparrow, instead of thanking her and moving on, comes back a
while later and demands that he get his thorn back. Needless to say,
the baker cannot give it back. Either you give me my thorn or you
give me some bread demands the sparrow. And the baker has no choice
but to give some bread.

The sparrow is not content. He goes about tricking and bartering item
after item, including a new bride in the bargain, until he meets a
minstrel with a lute. When the confounded minstrel has no choice but to
hand over his lute, the sparrow seems contented. He starts singing the
story, In place of a thorn, I got a bread. In place of a bread, I got
a sheep… and so on till, …I got a lute. And now I am a minstrel!

In all the gloating, he loses footing and ends up with a broken lute
and a thorn in his foot. Back at Square One.

Trickery is not rewarded, especially when it takes advantage of the
good nature of people who willingly help others. That message got
cleverly (and clearly) conveyed to my six year old who pored over
the illustrations with fascination, while reading the simple narration.

She particularly like the speech bubbles, with red text reserved for
the sparrow, which automatically made her change her voice and accent
as she read aloud the sparrow’s part in the narration.

Illustrator Maria Zaikina was approached to illustrate The Greedy
Sparrow when the author and publisher viewed her Armenian folk
animations on YouTube:

The bold, vibrant folk-style illustrations complemented the story
well, transporting us to a time and place that evokes nothing but
simple unadulterated joy, and possibly nostalgia for a bygone era.

Ms.Zaikina’s illustrations reminded me of my childhood favorite
Ladushki, Ladushki – Russian Folk Rhymes and Tales For Little
Ones illustrated by Yuri Vasnetsov and retold in English by Irina
Zheleznova, a book vibrant with color and imagination, which to this
day stirs warm memories when I share it with my children.

References to places in Armenia, the map and activities on author’s
website () and the
traditional attire shown in the illustrations gave us a jump start
to explore the geography and culture further.

Here is an interview with the author
(), conducted by Tom
Vartabedian, at Asbarez.com.

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author.]

[image source: ]

From: A. Papazian

UNLESS THE ISSUE OF UPPER KARABAKH GETS RESOLVED, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR OUR RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA TO GET NORMALIZED, SAYS ERDOGAN

Anadolu Agency
May 1 2011
Turkey

IGDIR (A.A) -01.05.2011 -Chairman of the ruling Justice and Development
(AK) Party and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that
“unless the issue of Upper Karabakh gets resolved, it was impossible
for our relations with Armenia to get normalized”.

Speaking at a public rally in eastern province of Igdir on Sunday,
Erdogan said that Azerbaijan’s sadness and happiness were the sadness
and happiness of Turkey.

I want to say one more time in Igdir. Unless the issue of Upper
Karabakh gets resolved, it is impossible for our relations to be
normal with Armenia, Erdogan said.

As of the day of their establishment, we have been behind Azerbaijan
and Upper Karabakh. We will continue to stand behind them always. No
one should expect otherwise, Erdogan also said.

From: A. Papazian

CAPT. KIDD SHIPWRECK SITE TO BE DEDICATED ‘LIVING MUSEUM OF THE SEA’ BY INDIANA UNIVERSITY

States News Service
May 2, 2011 Monday

The following information was released by Indiana University –
Bloomington:

Nearly three years after the discovery of the shipwreck Quedagh
Merchant, abandoned by the scandalous 17th century pirate Captain
William Kidd, the underwater site will be dedicated as a “Living Museum
of the Sea” by Indiana University, IU researcher and archeologist
Charles Beeker, and the government of the Dominican Republic.

The dedication as an official underwater museum will take place off the
shore of Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic on May 23, the 310th
anniversary of Kidd’s hanging in London for his ‘crimes of piracy.’

Historic Marker buoy and snorkel divers above the 1699 Captain Kidd
shipwreck

Print-Quality Photo

The dedication will note both underwater and above-ground interpretive
plaques. The underwater plaques will help guide divers around the Kidd
site as well as relics and rare corals at two other shipwreck sites.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded IU
$200,000 to turn the Captain Kidd shipwreck site and two nearby
existing underwater preserves into no-take, no-anchor “Living Museums
of the Sea,” where cultural discoveries will protect precious corals
and other threatened biodiversity in the surrounding reef systems,
under the supervision and support of the Dominican Republic’s
Oficina Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural Subacuatico (ONPCS). USAID
has since extended its support by a year, increasing the funding
award to $300,000.

The Underwater Science team from the IU School of Health, Physical
Education and Recreation (HPER), led by Beeker, has been working to
preserve, analyze and document the Kidd shipwreck since its surprising
discovery, which made headlines around the world. This unique museum,
resting in less than 10 feet of water just 70 feet from shore, will
give divers the opportunity to see the 17th century ship remains,
including several anchors, along with dozens of cannons, which rest on
the ocean’s floor and serve as home to coral and sea creatures. Above
water, several more traditional museums will benefit from artifacts
that are on loan to IU by the Dominican Republic government for the
purpose of study and research.

“As this ongoing multidisciplinary research continues,” Beeker said,
“interest in the project has grown and new partnerships are developing,
including the Peace Corps assigning their volunteers to the project,
and the Consorcio Dominicano de Competitividad Turistica promoting
the project as a sustainable tourism destination.”

As the interest in eco-tourism and unique vacation destinations
continues to grow, this Living Museum of the Sea is predicted to be
a sought-after destination for those seeking underwater adventures
combined with significant 17th century maritime history representative
of the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.

Beeker said it was remarkable that the wreck had remained undiscovered
all these years given its location, just 70 feet off the coast of
Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic, and because it has been
actively sought by treasure hunters.

Scientific diver completing coral restoration of Eedangered elkhorn
coral (Acropora palmata)

Print-Quality Photo

“Since the site’s discovery, we have worked with government officials,
Indiana University partners and museums to preserve this site,
the artifacts contained there and to use it all for research and
scientific study,” said Beeker, a pioneer in underwater museums
and preserves. “We have diligently protected this site, and now we
are able to share the importance of the Armenian-owned 1699 Quedagh
Merchant (which was captured by Kidd off the west coast of India)
with students at Indiana University as well as with the public at
exhibits at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the British
Museum of Docklands London.”

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis helped bring one of the most
fascinating underwater mysteries in years to visitors in its new
permanent exhibit, National Geographic Treasures of the Earth. Charles
Beeker was authorized by Dominican Republic authorities to bring the
only cannon recovered from the shipwreck to The Children’s Museum for
five years of study and conservation. The Children’s Museum and Beeker
received a $1 million grant from Eli Lilly and Company Foundation
to support this project and to search for and recover artifacts from
other historically significant ships that are believed to be in the
Caribbean, with this including the ongoing search for the Lost Fleet
of Christopher Columbus.

Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of The Children’s Museum of
Indianapolis, said the popular museum and IU have similar interests,
to bring fascinating discoveries to the public.

“Our intent was to develop the most authentic experience possible —
to bring real archaeological sites, real science, real artifacts
and real experts to our visitors. These extraordinary experiences
truly have the power to inspire and transform the lives of children
through family learning,” he said. “We’re eager to explore future
opportunities with IU’s team of experts in the search for other
historically significant ships in the Caribbean.”

Other significant artifacts to be displayed at The Children’s Museum
include Ming dynasty plates and statues, diamond and gold jewelry,
gold and silver coins, cannonballs and other antiquities, which have
been preserved for centuries in the Caribbean waters.

The British Museum of Docklands London has an exhibit featuring the
story of Captain Kidd, and a live show depicting Kidd and his travels
as one of history’s most notorious pirates. The museum will have a
special event in coordination with the underwater museum dedication,
honoring the 310th anniversary of Kidd’s execution.

Historians differ on whether Kidd was actually a pirate or a privateer
— someone who captured pirates. After his conviction of piracy and
murder charges in a sensational London trial, he was left to hang
over the River Thames for two years as a warning to other pirates.

Plaques such as this will be placed both underwater and on land,
where they will be attached to cannon monuments

Print-Quality Photo

Historians write that Kidd captured the Quedagh Merchant, loaded
with valuable satins and silks, gold, silver and other East Indian
merchandise, but left the ship in the Caribbean as he sailed to New
York on a less conspicuous sloop to clear his name of the criminal
charges.

Anthropologist Geoffrey Conrad, director of IU Bloomington’s Mathers
Museum of World Cultures, said the men Kidd entrusted with his ship
reportedly looted it, and then set it ablaze and adrift down the Rio
Dulce. Conrad said the location of the wreckage and the formation and
size of the canons, which had been used as ballast, are consistent
with historical records of the ship. They also found pieces of several
anchors under the cannons.

“All the evidence that we find underwater is consistent with what we
know from historical documentation, which is extensive,” Conrad said.

“Through rigorous archeological investigations, we have conclusively
proven that this is the Captain Kidd shipwreck.”

The IU research in the Dominican Republic typically involves
professors and graduate students from various IU Bloomington schools
and departments, including the School of HPER, the School of Public
and Environmental Affairs, and the departments of anthropology,
biology, geological sciences and mathematics in the College of Arts
and Sciences.

“The archeological work being done by IU in the Dominican Republic
affords us tremendous entree for wider areas of collaboration,”
said School of HPER Interim Dean Mo R. Torabi.

Since the discovery, Beeker has met with and given presentations
to research experts in London, Armenia and Washington, D.C., and
the interest continues to spread because of the complex trading and
exploration channels that existed in the 17th century.

For more than 20 years, Beeker and his students have conducted
underwater research projects on submerged ships, cargo and other
cultural and biological resources throughout the United States and
the Caribbean. Many of his research projects have resulted in the
establishment of state or federal underwater parks and preserves,
and have led to a number of site nominations to the National Register
of Historic Places.

Beeker, who has been conducting research in the Dominican Republic for
nearly 20 years, was asked to examine the shipwreck in 2007 while on
another research mission involving the search for Christopher Columbus’
lost ships. Beeker and Conrad have been exploring the era when the
New and Old Worlds first met, focusing on the area of La Isabela Bay,
the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement established by
Columbus in 1494.

Beeker recently served four years on the Marine Protected Areas
Federal Advisory Committee for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. To learn more about the Underwater Science program
visit

School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education and
Recreation (HPER), founded in 1946, encompasses a broad spectrum
of academic interests and professional fields. HPER offers 43
undergraduate, 23 graduate and 22 minor degree programs through
the departments of Environmental Health, Applied Health Science,
Kinesiology and Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies.

From: A. Papazian

REP. HENRY A. WAXMAN: COMMEMORATING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

States News Service
May 2, 2011 Monday

The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Henry A. Waxman:

Mr. Speaker. Each year on April 24, we gather to honor the memory
of those lives that were destroyed in the events of the Armenian
Genocide. Because this year a Congressional recess coincided with
that date, I take the opportunity today to commemorate the atrocious
acts of genocide that occurred 96 years ago.

It is notable that today also happens to be Yom Hashoah, Holocaust
Remembrance Day. The history of these two genocides remains tragically
intertwined by the world’s intransigence at the suffering of the
victims while the atrocities took place and the ongoing efforts of
those who seek to deny what happened.

It is said that the trajectory from Armenia to Auschwitz was direct.

It is said that when asked if the world would tolerate the “Final
Solution” to annihilate the Jews, Hitler remarked “Who remembers
the Armenians?”

We remember the Armenians. More than 1.5 million men, women and
children systematically murdered, chased from their communities and in
many cases marched to death. The suffering of the victims, the courage
of the survivors, and the battle of their descendents to preserve
this history deserves full recognition. Silence only inflicts more
pain and leaves those who suffer to suffer alone. Silence encourages
those willing to engage in genocide to believe their actions will be
met with impunity.

Nearly 100 years later, we are still learning from this tragedy. The
United States must embrace and encourage international recognition
of the Armenian genocide not only for the peace of mind of those who
suffered, but to reaffirm our commitment to preventing the genocides
of the future.

Let us raise our voice so that the Armenian Genocide will be mourned
and remembered for generations to come.

From: A. Papazian

IMITATION NO MORE: MICHAEL FOSBERG FOUGHT TO FIND OUT ABOUT HIS FATHER AND, CONSEQUENTLY, HIMSELF

Ebony Mag
Vol. LXVI No. 7
May 2011

THE DECISION for a parent to hide their children’s ethnic heritage
is often driven by family shame and social status. Actor, playwright
and author Michael Fosberg learned at the age of 32 that his Armenian
mother chose to raise him as White after divorcing his Black father.

“My mother came from a very strong Armenian immigrant family that
was very close. But when my mother told her parents she was pregnant,
that was one [of many] issues; she was 20, unmarried and pregnant. Of
course, she was also pregnant by a Black man. And they disowned her
basically. They didn’t talk to her … she got wiped off the map.”

His mother eventually married a White man (who Michael grew up knowing
wasn’t his biological father) and had two other children.

“She had the choice: to raise me as Black in the Black community or
raise me as White. And she felt [raising me as White] was the best
choice for herself and her son.” He added, “She was afraid because
I was so light that I would have trouble fitting into the Black
community.”

As time went by, the secret around his race remained buried underneath
years of his mother’s guilt for hiding the truth. It was only after
locating his biological father following his mother and stepfather’s
divorce in 1992 that he discovered he was Black.

“My whole life, I felt connected to African-American people. So when
the secret came out in the open, it was like I had finally uncovered
this missing piece.”

Today, Fosberg tours the country performing in his one-person show,
Incognito, which, along with his recently released book of the same
name, explores his family’s tangled history and shares his experiences
reuniting with his father and true race.

“Part of the reason that I do what I do is to try and heighten the
national dialogue…. Even though we have a biracial society, we still
force people to choose one or the other. You’re either Black or White.”

From: A. Papazian

ARJEN PETER UIJTERLINDE: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IMPEDES DEVELOPMENT

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
May 1, 2011 Sunday

The Kingdom of the Netherlands backs efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group
to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan Arjen Peter Uijterlinde
said.

The Netherlands does not appear to have been involved in talks. But
I do know how important this problem is for Azerbaijan. When I am
travelling to Azerbaijan regions, I see that the conflict affected
people deeply. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict impedes country`s
development. And we support efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to reach a
lasting, peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and achieve
atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence, Dutch Ambassador emphasized.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA STRIVES TO ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH TURKEY – PRESIDENT

news.am
May 3 2011
Armenia

Armenia strives to establish relations with Turkey without
preconditions, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said during a joint
press conference with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Expressing gratitude to Switzerland for mediating talks between
Armenia and Turkey, President Sargsyan said that Ankara pursues
its shortsighted policy of splitting Armenia and the Diaspora. He
stressed that if Turkey continues its policy, Armenia will lose trust
in process of normalization of bilateral relations with Turkey.

“I am surprised that Turkey does not realize that the Armenian Diaspora
emerged as a result of the Armenian Genocide in a whole.

Today Diaspora is our pride and our power. Representatives of the
Diaspora are Armenia’s ambassadors to world states,” said President
Sargsyan. “For instance, famous singer Charles Aznavour is our envoy
to Switzerland.”

Speaking about the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
President Sargsyan stressed that condemnation and affirmation of the
crime by world community will not hamper Armenia-Turkey reconciliation.

He brought an example of Switzerland, a country that recognized
and condemned the Genocide and gained victory over geopolitical
and economic environment on the ground of human right protection
and justice.

“However, this did not prevent Switzerland from mediating between
talks Armenia and Turkey,” he added.

From: A. Papazian

GENOCIDE BILL DELIVERS BLOW TO SARKOZY’S DIPLOMATIE A COUP DE MENTON
by Giorgi Lomsadze

EurasiaNet

May 3 2011
NY

French President Nicolas Sarkozy may not be able to have it both ways
when it comes to balancing between the Armenians and the Turks. Faced
with pressure from Armenian Diaspora groups, Sarkozy pledged not to
give his 25-centimes’ worth when France’s Senate on May 4 votes on
a bill that would make it a crime to deny that the massacre ethnic
Armenians suffered in 1915 at the hands of Ottoman Turks is a genocide.

France’s National Assembly adopted the bill in 2006. But alleged US
diplomatic cables from WikiLeaks suggest that Sarkozy has played a
diplomatic double game about the bill ever since.

Sarkozy vowed to France’s significant ethnic Armenian electorate to
pull the bill through the parliament, but, according to Wikileaks,
he also promised Ankara that the Senate would kill the measure.

The revelations sparked an outpouring of Armenian anger in France.

Crooner Charles Aznavour, one of the most prominent Armenian Diaspora
members in France, threatened to rally the Armenian vote against
Sarkozy in next year’s presidential elections.

Sarkozy may now have promised Armenian Diaspora members not to
interfere with the genocide denial vote in the Senate, but will he
say the same when Ankara calls?

From: A. Papazian