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ARMENIAN FM: OTHER STATES WILL FOLLOW FRANCE'S EXAMPLE
Tert.am
28.02.12
As long as Turkey keeps on denying the Armenian Genocide, other
countries will follow France's example to outlaw that crime against
humanity, the Armenian Foreign Minister has said.
Edward Nalbandyan made the statement in an interview with the Austrian
publication Der Standard when asked to comment on whether the bill
French parliament's bill criminalizing the denial of genocides could
serve as a model for other states.
"Whether or not a model, I'm sure that other countries will take such
decisions as long as the denial of the Armenian Genocide remains
Turkey's state policy. That Genocide is a crime against humanity
and has been recognized as such by many countries and international
organizations. The denial of a crime of genocide entails a relevant
response. The French law reflects the feelings and opinions of
the French people. I have known that since the time I served as an
ambassador to France," he said.
The minister disagreed to the remark that the critics of the bill link
the French lawmakers' move with the coming presidential election in
the country.
"That's not true. The law enjoys full support by the French president,
government and main political forces, both right- and left-wing. It
was put to vote and passed both by the National Assembly and Senate.
Hence the adoption of the law reflects the opinion of the French
people. The same was the case with the 2001 law on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide," he said.
Commenting on Turkey's threats to cut ties with France in case the
bill is signed into law, Nalbandyan noted: "The law could be first of
all useful in terms of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish ties.
If something prevents the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, it's Turkey's
approach. After the signing of the protocols in Zurich, Turkey made
a step backwards, refusing to enforce the agreements reached. The
world community finds that the ball is in Turkey's half field."
Tert.am
28.02.12
As long as Turkey keeps on denying the Armenian Genocide, other
countries will follow France's example to outlaw that crime against
humanity, the Armenian Foreign Minister has said.
Edward Nalbandyan made the statement in an interview with the Austrian
publication Der Standard when asked to comment on whether the bill
French parliament's bill criminalizing the denial of genocides could
serve as a model for other states.
"Whether or not a model, I'm sure that other countries will take such
decisions as long as the denial of the Armenian Genocide remains
Turkey's state policy. That Genocide is a crime against humanity
and has been recognized as such by many countries and international
organizations. The denial of a crime of genocide entails a relevant
response. The French law reflects the feelings and opinions of
the French people. I have known that since the time I served as an
ambassador to France," he said.
The minister disagreed to the remark that the critics of the bill link
the French lawmakers' move with the coming presidential election in
the country.
"That's not true. The law enjoys full support by the French president,
government and main political forces, both right- and left-wing. It
was put to vote and passed both by the National Assembly and Senate.
Hence the adoption of the law reflects the opinion of the French
people. The same was the case with the 2001 law on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide," he said.
Commenting on Turkey's threats to cut ties with France in case the
bill is signed into law, Nalbandyan noted: "The law could be first of
all useful in terms of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish ties.
If something prevents the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, it's Turkey's
approach. After the signing of the protocols in Zurich, Turkey made
a step backwards, refusing to enforce the agreements reached. The
world community finds that the ball is in Turkey's half field."