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TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SENDS LETTER TO PRESIDENT OF FRENCH SENATE ON ARMENIAN RESOLUTION
Anadolu Agency
Jan 13 2012
Turkey
ANKARA (A.A) -In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate,
Jean-Pierre Bel, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said that
he found it seriously hard to understand when a country, known
as a friend in Turkey, tries to be in the forefront of supporting
'special memories'.
I believe that relevant countries should be able to establish their
own models for a just memory instead of artificial imposition regarding
historic issues that are in dispute, Cicek underlined in his letter.
I have written my letter to bring to your attention an issue that may
cause serious and permanent damage to deep rooted relations between
Turkey and France, Cicek told Bel in his letter.
I had informed the Speaker of the French Parliament about my
sensitivity on the relevant issue recently, Cicek stressed.
I felt a need to share with you some of my concerns after a resolution
criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to
the incidents of 1915 was placed on the agenda of the French Senate,
Cicek said in his letter.
Since the French Parliament adopted the (Armenian) resolution on
December 22, 2011, our friendly relations have entered a phase of a
serious tension. We watch very closely the developments in France,
Cicek noted.
I have to remind you that Turkey has made various historic proposals
to Armenia to normalize relations, Cicek said.
I do hope that you will share my thoughts that it would be unethical
for a political organ to unilaterally carry an issue to its floor
before a legal and scientific consensus have been reached, Cicek
stressed.
The initiative placed on the agenda of the French Senate on January
23 leaves historic and scientific research under a threat, Cicek said.
I do not want to believe that an institution like the French Senate
would support efforts to limit the freedom of expression and disregard
universal values which France relies on so much, Cicek said.
Turkey must be given the opportunity to normalize relations with
Armenia and France's contributions in this regard would be beneficial,
Cicek noted.
I preserve my belief that you would make timely and responsible efforts
so that the resolution does not hurt Turkish-French relations and that
it would not be a blow to the freedom of expression, Cicek concluded
his letter.
The lower house of the French parliament adopted in December a
resolution that criminalizes rejection of Armenian allegations
pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Only 70 out of 577
parliamentarians joined the voting of the resolution which was adopted
with majority of votes.
The resolution envisages "one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for
those who deny genocide recognized by French laws." French Parliament
had recognized so-called Armenian genocide in 1915 on January 29, 2001.
The draft criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations had
first been approved in 2006, but it could not become a law as French
President Nicolas Sarkozy prevented its presentation to Senate.
Now, the senate's approval is necessary to make the resolution a law.
Turkey strongly opposes the issue of the incidents of 1915 being
used as a tool in French politics. Many believe that French President
Sarkozy supports the Armenian resolution in order to garner support
from France's Armenian population that number around 500,000.
France will hold the first round of this year's presidential election
on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6. Sarkozy is running
for a second term.
The resolution will be brought up to the French Senate on January 23
with the government's initiatives. Before it comes to the general
assembly, it will be submitted to special laws committee and
rapporteurs will prepare a report.
The committee can reject the bill, saying that it is against the
constitution.
If the resolution is not adopted at the senate till February 22, 2012
when the parliament and senate will recess for presidential elections,
it will be invalid.
Anadolu Agency
Jan 13 2012
Turkey
ANKARA (A.A) -In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate,
Jean-Pierre Bel, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said that
he found it seriously hard to understand when a country, known
as a friend in Turkey, tries to be in the forefront of supporting
'special memories'.
I believe that relevant countries should be able to establish their
own models for a just memory instead of artificial imposition regarding
historic issues that are in dispute, Cicek underlined in his letter.
I have written my letter to bring to your attention an issue that may
cause serious and permanent damage to deep rooted relations between
Turkey and France, Cicek told Bel in his letter.
I had informed the Speaker of the French Parliament about my
sensitivity on the relevant issue recently, Cicek stressed.
I felt a need to share with you some of my concerns after a resolution
criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to
the incidents of 1915 was placed on the agenda of the French Senate,
Cicek said in his letter.
Since the French Parliament adopted the (Armenian) resolution on
December 22, 2011, our friendly relations have entered a phase of a
serious tension. We watch very closely the developments in France,
Cicek noted.
I have to remind you that Turkey has made various historic proposals
to Armenia to normalize relations, Cicek said.
I do hope that you will share my thoughts that it would be unethical
for a political organ to unilaterally carry an issue to its floor
before a legal and scientific consensus have been reached, Cicek
stressed.
The initiative placed on the agenda of the French Senate on January
23 leaves historic and scientific research under a threat, Cicek said.
I do not want to believe that an institution like the French Senate
would support efforts to limit the freedom of expression and disregard
universal values which France relies on so much, Cicek said.
Turkey must be given the opportunity to normalize relations with
Armenia and France's contributions in this regard would be beneficial,
Cicek noted.
I preserve my belief that you would make timely and responsible efforts
so that the resolution does not hurt Turkish-French relations and that
it would not be a blow to the freedom of expression, Cicek concluded
his letter.
The lower house of the French parliament adopted in December a
resolution that criminalizes rejection of Armenian allegations
pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Only 70 out of 577
parliamentarians joined the voting of the resolution which was adopted
with majority of votes.
The resolution envisages "one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for
those who deny genocide recognized by French laws." French Parliament
had recognized so-called Armenian genocide in 1915 on January 29, 2001.
The draft criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations had
first been approved in 2006, but it could not become a law as French
President Nicolas Sarkozy prevented its presentation to Senate.
Now, the senate's approval is necessary to make the resolution a law.
Turkey strongly opposes the issue of the incidents of 1915 being
used as a tool in French politics. Many believe that French President
Sarkozy supports the Armenian resolution in order to garner support
from France's Armenian population that number around 500,000.
France will hold the first round of this year's presidential election
on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6. Sarkozy is running
for a second term.
The resolution will be brought up to the French Senate on January 23
with the government's initiatives. Before it comes to the general
assembly, it will be submitted to special laws committee and
rapporteurs will prepare a report.
The committee can reject the bill, saying that it is against the
constitution.
If the resolution is not adopted at the senate till February 22, 2012
when the parliament and senate will recess for presidential elections,
it will be invalid.