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SARKOZY DEFENDS VOTE, CALLS ON TURKEY TO RESPECT FRENCH VIEWS
Today's Zaman
Dec 23 2011
Turkey
French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Turkey on Friday to respect
its views after Ankara suspended political and economic contact with
Paris in protest of a bill passed by the French parliament Thursday
that criminalizes denial of Armenian genocide claims.
"I respect [the] beliefs of our Turkish friends. Turkey is a great
country, great civilization, but the Turks should also respect our
beliefs," Sarkozy told the French press on the sidelines of a funeral
for former Czech President Vaclav Havel in Prague. His remarks were
published in Turkish by the Anatolia news agency.
"France does not teach anyone a lesson, but it does not want to
be taught a lesson either. France sets its policies in a sovereign
matter," he added, asserting that his country does not need permission
from other states when deciding its policies. "France has beliefs
and respect for human rights, memories," he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in his Twitter feed
on Friday that Turkey has respect to beliefs but he added that it
is backward to turn historical interpretations and intellectual
discussions into dogmatic belief.
Turkey categorically rejects charges of genocide, saying deaths
occurred on both sides when Anatolian Armenians revolted against the
Ottoman Empire for independence during World War I in collaboration
with the invading Russian army. Turkish leaders vowed to bring to the
fore French atrocities in Algeria and other countries on international
platforms after Thursday's vote.
Turkey is already frustrated with Sarkozy because of his staunch
opposition to its stalled European Union bid and his apparent rivalry
with Turkey for a preeminent role in Middle Eastern politics.
Today's Zaman
Dec 23 2011
Turkey
French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Turkey on Friday to respect
its views after Ankara suspended political and economic contact with
Paris in protest of a bill passed by the French parliament Thursday
that criminalizes denial of Armenian genocide claims.
"I respect [the] beliefs of our Turkish friends. Turkey is a great
country, great civilization, but the Turks should also respect our
beliefs," Sarkozy told the French press on the sidelines of a funeral
for former Czech President Vaclav Havel in Prague. His remarks were
published in Turkish by the Anatolia news agency.
"France does not teach anyone a lesson, but it does not want to
be taught a lesson either. France sets its policies in a sovereign
matter," he added, asserting that his country does not need permission
from other states when deciding its policies. "France has beliefs
and respect for human rights, memories," he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in his Twitter feed
on Friday that Turkey has respect to beliefs but he added that it
is backward to turn historical interpretations and intellectual
discussions into dogmatic belief.
Turkey categorically rejects charges of genocide, saying deaths
occurred on both sides when Anatolian Armenians revolted against the
Ottoman Empire for independence during World War I in collaboration
with the invading Russian army. Turkish leaders vowed to bring to the
fore French atrocities in Algeria and other countries on international
platforms after Thursday's vote.
Turkey is already frustrated with Sarkozy because of his staunch
opposition to its stalled European Union bid and his apparent rivalry
with Turkey for a preeminent role in Middle Eastern politics.