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NIKOLAS SARKOZY HOPES TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DURING HIS PRESIDENCY
ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 7, 2011
YEREVAN
The collective denial is more serious than the individual. Naturally,
it does not mean that the individual denial is acceptable, President
of France Nikolas Sarkozy said at a joint news conference with the
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.
According to him, if such a big state like Turkey has recognized the
black pages of its history including the Armenian Genocide in the
beginning of the 20th century, France, as well as Armenia, would have
considered that it is a notable step forward and would have perceived
it as a gesture of peace and reconciliation. "There cannot be long
reconciliation by putting under doubt the sufferings. There cannot
be reconciliation by rejecting the historic facts", Sarkozy stressed.
The President of France said if big state like Turkey, that at any
occasion showed its force and courage, found resources for doing this
gesture, France would consider that its legislature that recognizes
the Armenian Genocide is enough. "But it is not so at present and
obviously the Armenian Genocide is being put under doubt", Sarkozy
said, pointing out that France considered that it must go further in
respect of changes in the legislation to make the denial criminally
punishable. "My response is clear", President of France said.
As to the timeframe, Sarkozy noted that France is not putting
deadlines. "It is not frank and it is not a way to reach reconciliation
between neighbors. But in this case the time is not endless: I think
there was enough time to think from 1915 till 2011", Sarkozy stressed,
voicing hope that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey
would take place during his presidency.
He also expressed hope that the Turkish public and government will
display enough wisdom for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 7, 2011
YEREVAN
The collective denial is more serious than the individual. Naturally,
it does not mean that the individual denial is acceptable, President
of France Nikolas Sarkozy said at a joint news conference with the
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.
According to him, if such a big state like Turkey has recognized the
black pages of its history including the Armenian Genocide in the
beginning of the 20th century, France, as well as Armenia, would have
considered that it is a notable step forward and would have perceived
it as a gesture of peace and reconciliation. "There cannot be long
reconciliation by putting under doubt the sufferings. There cannot
be reconciliation by rejecting the historic facts", Sarkozy stressed.
The President of France said if big state like Turkey, that at any
occasion showed its force and courage, found resources for doing this
gesture, France would consider that its legislature that recognizes
the Armenian Genocide is enough. "But it is not so at present and
obviously the Armenian Genocide is being put under doubt", Sarkozy
said, pointing out that France considered that it must go further in
respect of changes in the legislation to make the denial criminally
punishable. "My response is clear", President of France said.
As to the timeframe, Sarkozy noted that France is not putting
deadlines. "It is not frank and it is not a way to reach reconciliation
between neighbors. But in this case the time is not endless: I think
there was enough time to think from 1915 till 2011", Sarkozy stressed,
voicing hope that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey
would take place during his presidency.
He also expressed hope that the Turkish public and government will
display enough wisdom for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.