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Al-Manar TV, Lebanon
(Hezbollah Channel)
Jan 5 2012
Turkey May Step up Actions against France over Genocide: Diplomat
Local Editor
Ankara may step up moves against Paris if the French Senate votes this
month to ban denial of the Armenian genocide.
A Turkish diplomatic source said `there may be a downgrading of the
Turkish diplomatic representation in Paris. It is probable," if the
upper house of parliament approves the bill criminalizing denial of
the disputed 1915 genocide.
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Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials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 recognized the Armenian 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).
But 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 President Nicolas 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.
http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=40756&frid=22&seccatid=55&cid=22& fromval=1
(Hezbollah Channel)
Jan 5 2012
Turkey May Step up Actions against France over Genocide: Diplomat
Local Editor
Ankara may step up moves against Paris if the French Senate votes this
month to ban denial of the Armenian genocide.
A Turkish diplomatic source said `there may be a downgrading of the
Turkish diplomatic representation in Paris. It is probable," if the
upper house of parliament approves the bill criminalizing denial of
the disputed 1915 genocide.
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Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials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 recognized the Armenian 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).
But 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 President Nicolas 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.
http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=40756&frid=22&seccatid=55&cid=22& fromval=1