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TURKEY URGES FRANCE TO DROP ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
Upfront News
http://upfrontnewswire.com/2224/turkey-urges-france-to-drop-armenian-genocide-bill/
Dec 20 2011
ANKARA (BNO NEWS) -- Turkey called on the French government on Tuesday
to halt plans for a bill which would criminalize the denial of the
Armenian genocide during World War I, the Hurriyet Daily Newspaper
reported.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said the planned legislation is
unacceptable and strongly urged the French to reconsider. "It is not
possible for us to accept this bill which denies us the freedom to
reject unfair and groundless accusations targeting our country and
our nation," Gul said in a statement.
The remarks of the Turkish president came as the French parliament
prepares to vote on the draft bill on Thursday. The law proposes
a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of 45,000 euros
($58,000) for those who deny the 'genocide' of Armenians by the
Ottoman government during World War I.
Turkey and its citizens have been increasing pressure on France to
halt the motion, with businessmen and politicians contributing to
campaigns. On Monday, a Turkish parliamentary delegation started a
three-day campaign in the French capital of Paris to stop the bill.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will "not remain
silent" if the French parliament adopts the bill and renewed calls
on France's intellectual community to resist the legislation. "The
ramifications of the bill will outstrip its proportions if such a
prohibitive approach takes the upper hand in the middle of Europe,"
Davutoglu said, as quoted by Hurriyet.
"As always, Turkey has contingency plans, calculations and preparations
on every issue. There will be measures that Turkey will take. If our
warnings remain unanswered and prohibitive attitudes prevail in France,
they should not expect us to stay silent," the minister warned.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1.5 million people of the
Armenian population were killed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and
1923, but Turkey has refused to use the word 'genocide' to describe
the events. Numerous countries have officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide, including France.
Upfront News
http://upfrontnewswire.com/2224/turkey-urges-france-to-drop-armenian-genocide-bill/
Dec 20 2011
ANKARA (BNO NEWS) -- Turkey called on the French government on Tuesday
to halt plans for a bill which would criminalize the denial of the
Armenian genocide during World War I, the Hurriyet Daily Newspaper
reported.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said the planned legislation is
unacceptable and strongly urged the French to reconsider. "It is not
possible for us to accept this bill which denies us the freedom to
reject unfair and groundless accusations targeting our country and
our nation," Gul said in a statement.
The remarks of the Turkish president came as the French parliament
prepares to vote on the draft bill on Thursday. The law proposes
a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of 45,000 euros
($58,000) for those who deny the 'genocide' of Armenians by the
Ottoman government during World War I.
Turkey and its citizens have been increasing pressure on France to
halt the motion, with businessmen and politicians contributing to
campaigns. On Monday, a Turkish parliamentary delegation started a
three-day campaign in the French capital of Paris to stop the bill.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will "not remain
silent" if the French parliament adopts the bill and renewed calls
on France's intellectual community to resist the legislation. "The
ramifications of the bill will outstrip its proportions if such a
prohibitive approach takes the upper hand in the middle of Europe,"
Davutoglu said, as quoted by Hurriyet.
"As always, Turkey has contingency plans, calculations and preparations
on every issue. There will be measures that Turkey will take. If our
warnings remain unanswered and prohibitive attitudes prevail in France,
they should not expect us to stay silent," the minister warned.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1.5 million people of the
Armenian population were killed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and
1923, but Turkey has refused to use the word 'genocide' to describe
the events. Numerous countries have officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide, including France.