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TURKEY CRITICIZES FRANCE'S CRIMINALIZING OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL
Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/215899.html
Dec 15 2011
Iran
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has criticized France for
having a mentality of the Middle Ages, ahead of a French parliament
vote on a bill to criminalize the denial of "Armenian Genocide",
a term that refers to events that mainly took place in 1915.
Davutoglu noted that Turkey has got used to France's move to block
Turkey's entry to the European Union in order to pursue its local
politics but the latest move to recognize the ban denial of Armenian
Genocide is a move that would damage freedom in France.
The French National Assembly will next week debate the proposed law
that would punish the denial of "genocide" with penalties of a year
in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros.
A Turkish parliamentary delegation will visit Paris next week before
the bill is put on vote, reportedly to explain the damage the law
would inflict on relations between Turkey and France.
Turkish foreign minister's strong criticism of France comes as the
war of words between Turkey and Armenia has also been fueled recently
and the issue is expected to remain top on the agenda of Ankara's
foreign policy in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Turkey's EU minister and top negotiator Egemen
Bagis, had hit back at comments made by Armenian President Serge
Sarkisian, who had reportedly said that Turkey must face its history
and confess to the "Armenian Genocide."
The Turkish minister had accused Sarkisian of putting Armenia in a
state of poverty and hunger that has forced almost half of Armenians
to leave their country.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their people were killed during
World War I by forces belonging to the Ottoman Empire. Turkey refuses
to call the killings a genocide and says between 300,000 to 500,000
Armenians, and at least as many Turks, died when Armenians rose up
and sided with invading Russian forces.
Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/215899.html
Dec 15 2011
Iran
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has criticized France for
having a mentality of the Middle Ages, ahead of a French parliament
vote on a bill to criminalize the denial of "Armenian Genocide",
a term that refers to events that mainly took place in 1915.
Davutoglu noted that Turkey has got used to France's move to block
Turkey's entry to the European Union in order to pursue its local
politics but the latest move to recognize the ban denial of Armenian
Genocide is a move that would damage freedom in France.
The French National Assembly will next week debate the proposed law
that would punish the denial of "genocide" with penalties of a year
in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros.
A Turkish parliamentary delegation will visit Paris next week before
the bill is put on vote, reportedly to explain the damage the law
would inflict on relations between Turkey and France.
Turkish foreign minister's strong criticism of France comes as the
war of words between Turkey and Armenia has also been fueled recently
and the issue is expected to remain top on the agenda of Ankara's
foreign policy in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Turkey's EU minister and top negotiator Egemen
Bagis, had hit back at comments made by Armenian President Serge
Sarkisian, who had reportedly said that Turkey must face its history
and confess to the "Armenian Genocide."
The Turkish minister had accused Sarkisian of putting Armenia in a
state of poverty and hunger that has forced almost half of Armenians
to leave their country.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their people were killed during
World War I by forces belonging to the Ottoman Empire. Turkey refuses
to call the killings a genocide and says between 300,000 to 500,000
Armenians, and at least as many Turks, died when Armenians rose up
and sided with invading Russian forces.