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FRENCH PRESIDENT HOPES TURKEY WILL RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Tert.am
07.10.11
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is hopeful that the Turkish
authorities and the Turkish nation will be reasonable enough to admit
the fact of the Armenian Genocide.
At a news conference following a meeting with his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsyan, the French leader said Armenia is not alone a century
after the big tragedy.
Sarkozy emphasized that collective denial is even worse than individual
denial.
"If a big country like Turkey recognizes the black days of its history,
including the Armenian Genocide committed at the century's beginning,
Armenia and France will consider it a big step towards reconciliation,"
Sarkozy said. "If Turkey fails to take that step, continuing to openly
deny the Armenian Genocide, France will take other measures. It will
amend its legislation to declare its denial a crime."
Sarkozy noted that his country cannot impose an ultimatum on Turkey
as it is not seen a proper way to help neighbors but he said France
cannot delay its response to Turkey as the country had a great deal
of time to think over its past.
As for Turkey's EU membership, the French leader said he finds the
country a kind of bridge between the East and West.
"My position on that matter differs from the former president's
viewpoint. Turkey ha a big role to play in the world," he added.
From: Baghdasarian
Tert.am
07.10.11
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is hopeful that the Turkish
authorities and the Turkish nation will be reasonable enough to admit
the fact of the Armenian Genocide.
At a news conference following a meeting with his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsyan, the French leader said Armenia is not alone a century
after the big tragedy.
Sarkozy emphasized that collective denial is even worse than individual
denial.
"If a big country like Turkey recognizes the black days of its history,
including the Armenian Genocide committed at the century's beginning,
Armenia and France will consider it a big step towards reconciliation,"
Sarkozy said. "If Turkey fails to take that step, continuing to openly
deny the Armenian Genocide, France will take other measures. It will
amend its legislation to declare its denial a crime."
Sarkozy noted that his country cannot impose an ultimatum on Turkey
as it is not seen a proper way to help neighbors but he said France
cannot delay its response to Turkey as the country had a great deal
of time to think over its past.
As for Turkey's EU membership, the French leader said he finds the
country a kind of bridge between the East and West.
"My position on that matter differs from the former president's
viewpoint. Turkey ha a big role to play in the world," he added.
From: Baghdasarian