TURKEY UPSET OVER PROPOSED FRENCH LAW
United Press International UPI
Oct 9 2006
ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Turkey's prime minister is warning
French companies that a bill before their country's parliament could
harm economic ties between Turkey and France.
The legislation would make it a crime to question claims of Armenian
genocide punishable by up to a year in prison and fines of up to
$57,000, The New Anatolian reports.
According to the newspaper, Turkey's prime minister met with
representatives of French companies doing business in Turkey to gain
their help in blocking the controversial legislation.
"Such a law would result in great damage to bilateral relations in all
fields, fuel anti-Western and nationalistic ideas among the Turkish
public and seriously undermine Turkey's reconciliation efforts with
Armenia," say top Turkish officials in a statement.
If such a law is passed by the French Parliament, officials say it
would affect military ties since France is a NATO ally of Turkey.
United Press International UPI
Oct 9 2006
ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Turkey's prime minister is warning
French companies that a bill before their country's parliament could
harm economic ties between Turkey and France.
The legislation would make it a crime to question claims of Armenian
genocide punishable by up to a year in prison and fines of up to
$57,000, The New Anatolian reports.
According to the newspaper, Turkey's prime minister met with
representatives of French companies doing business in Turkey to gain
their help in blocking the controversial legislation.
"Such a law would result in great damage to bilateral relations in all
fields, fuel anti-Western and nationalistic ideas among the Turkish
public and seriously undermine Turkey's reconciliation efforts with
Armenia," say top Turkish officials in a statement.
If such a law is passed by the French Parliament, officials say it
would affect military ties since France is a NATO ally of Turkey.