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ANKARA: Foreign Ministry Delivers Harsh Reaction To France

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  • ANKARA: Foreign Ministry Delivers Harsh Reaction To France

    FOREIGN MINISTRY DELIVERS HARSH REACTION TO FRANCE

    Zaman Online, Turkey
    Oct 12 2006

    The Foreign Ministry has stated that relations between Turkey and
    France received a severe blow with the passing of the controversial
    genocide denial bill.

    The statement made by the ministry remarked that, "The long-standing
    historical relations between Turkey and France, which have grown
    through the centuries with great care, have received a severe blow
    today because of the irresponsible attempts - based on groundless
    claims - of a group of French politicians who are unable to appreciate
    the consequences of the policies they follow."

    The statement continues: "Despite of all the diplomatic and
    parliamentary efforts carried out hand in hand at all levels for
    a long time by the Turkish Parliament, our citizens in France, our
    non-governmental organizations and business environments; after being
    submitted to the French National Assembly by the Socialist Party last
    May without any results, the passing of the bill this time on Oct.12,
    2006 in the French National Assembly, envisaging severe punishment
    for denying the Armenian genocide, has caused a profound grievance."

    -------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
    S heer Disappointment A statement released said that today's Armenian
    genocide bill would have to go through a long process for it to become
    a law.

    It must pass through the senate before final approval by the French
    president.

    Nonetheless, with this first step taken by the French parliament,
    the Turkish government is disappointed.

    The statement also reassured the Turkish government of efforts by the
    French government to put a stop to any progress with the Armenian bill.

    "This bill , a violation of both the French constitutional system
    that gives the utmost priority to freedom of expression and the
    European Treaty that specifies situations when freedom of expression
    and of thought can be restricted, goes against the values of liberty,
    brotherhood and equality, identified with the French nation, a source
    of inspiration for free world," the statement read.

    ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
    A Typical Contradiction In the statement, it is said "It is a typical
    contradiction for a country's parliament to say, by means of top
    authorities, that the parliament has no task of rewriting history,
    this responsibility belongs to historians when it is about its own
    history but assumes a right to judge other states' history and to
    penalize." In the statement it is also mentioned that discussing such
    a bill in France is an example of a double standard. The statement
    reads as follows:

    "Despite important reforms we have realized in recent years in order to
    develop fundamental rights and freedoms and in a period when Turkey
    is advised to take additional steps on freedom of expression, the
    discussion on such topics as the bill in France is another double
    standard. A State's credibility depends on protecting values that
    they lay down for others to follow.

    This bill takes the freedom of thought and expression hostage in
    a way totally contrary to a democratic regime has sparked a deep
    outrage in the Turkish nation as well as in our Armenian citizens.

    Seventy million Turkish people reject the restriction of freedom of
    thought and expression with reference to baseless allegations.

    Unfortunately, this bill makes France lose its privileged position
    by the Turkish people."
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