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Hurriyet, Turkey
Jan 4 2012
Turkey may step up moves against Paris: diplomat
PARIS - Agence France-Presse
Turkey may step up action against France if the French Senate votes
this month to outlaw denial of the Armenian claims of genocide, a
Turkish diplomatic source said Thursday.
"There may be a downgrading of the Turkish diplomatic representation
in Paris. It is probable," if the upper house of parliament approves
the bill.
The French lower house approved the law last month, threatening anyone
who denies that the events of 1915 amounted to genocide with jail.
Ankara froze political and military ties with France when the bill was
passed by the National Assembly, and threatened further measures if it
continues through the Senate or is approved by President Nicolas
Sarkozy.
Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials
said Thursday that he will return next Monday in order to monitor the
Senate's handling of the bill.
France recognised the 1915 killings as a genocide in 2001, but the new
bill would punish anyone who denies this with a year in jail and a
fine of 45,000 euros (60,000 dollars).
Modern Turkey is still very sensitive about the issue, and has accused
France of attacking freedom of expression and free historical enquiry.
France is home to an estimated 500,000 citizens of Armenian descent,
and Sarkozy's UMP party has been accused of backing the law in order
to pander to a key electoral group ahead of presidential and
legislative elections this year.
It is backed by a cross-party majority of lawmakers but has not won
universal support in the government, where some ministers fear it will
hurt diplomatic and trade ties with a NATO ally and major economic
partner.
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has said publicly that the bill is "badly
timed" and has been reported as describing it privately as "stupid".
January/05/2012
Jan 4 2012
Turkey may step up moves against Paris: diplomat
PARIS - Agence France-Presse
Turkey may step up action against France if the French Senate votes
this month to outlaw denial of the Armenian claims of genocide, a
Turkish diplomatic source said Thursday.
"There may be a downgrading of the Turkish diplomatic representation
in Paris. It is probable," if the upper house of parliament approves
the bill.
The French lower house approved the law last month, threatening anyone
who denies that the events of 1915 amounted to genocide with jail.
Ankara froze political and military ties with France when the bill was
passed by the National Assembly, and threatened further measures if it
continues through the Senate or is approved by President Nicolas
Sarkozy.
Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials
said Thursday that he will return next Monday in order to monitor the
Senate's handling of the bill.
France recognised the 1915 killings as a genocide in 2001, but the new
bill would punish anyone who denies this with a year in jail and a
fine of 45,000 euros (60,000 dollars).
Modern Turkey is still very sensitive about the issue, and has accused
France of attacking freedom of expression and free historical enquiry.
France is home to an estimated 500,000 citizens of Armenian descent,
and Sarkozy's UMP party has been accused of backing the law in order
to pander to a key electoral group ahead of presidential and
legislative elections this year.
It is backed by a cross-party majority of lawmakers but has not won
universal support in the government, where some ministers fear it will
hurt diplomatic and trade ties with a NATO ally and major economic
partner.
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has said publicly that the bill is "badly
timed" and has been reported as describing it privately as "stupid".
January/05/2012