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WILL SARKOZY KEEP HIS PLEDGE?
PanARMENIAN.Net
January 18, 2012 - 20:22 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Today, on January 18, Constitutional Commission
of the French Senate passed a decision against debating of the
bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial, accepting Senators'
solicitation that oppose the aforesaid legislation.
The proposal on rejection of the bill was adopted with 23 votes for,
9 against and 8 abstentions, according to the official website of
the French Senate.
The decision stipulates debate of the draft law by the Senate,
considering the proposal of the Commission prior to the overall voting.
The proposal aroused no special surprise due to the initial phase of
the Genocide bill adoption having evoked deja feeling.
On October 12, 2006, the National Assembly of France with 106 votes
for and 19 against adopted a bill on criminalization of the Armenian
Genocide denial. Then too, the draft law stipulated a 45,000 euro
fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denied this crime
against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire. The bill passage,
however, was followed by threats from Turkey and its younger brother
Azerbaijan regarding breaking ties and freezing military, trade
cooperation with France. Proposals to take "austerity measures"
towards France were heard.
Then, too, Presidential Candidate Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to foster
passage of the bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial.
In May, 2007, Sarkozy was elected president of France with Armenian
community members having backed his candidacy.
However, on May 4, 2008, French Senate with 196 votes against and 74
for blocked the Genocide bill passed by National Assembly in 2006.
An impression is created that the scenario was decided to be applied
this time, too. Thus, the French Senate may protract the bill until
April, with French presidential elections due on April 22, two days
prior to 97th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
Three months and it be will be clear whether Nicolas Sarkozy's pledge
was realistic or the French-Armenian community was once again trapped
for electoral votes.
PanARMENIAN.Net
January 18, 2012 - 20:22 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Today, on January 18, Constitutional Commission
of the French Senate passed a decision against debating of the
bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial, accepting Senators'
solicitation that oppose the aforesaid legislation.
The proposal on rejection of the bill was adopted with 23 votes for,
9 against and 8 abstentions, according to the official website of
the French Senate.
The decision stipulates debate of the draft law by the Senate,
considering the proposal of the Commission prior to the overall voting.
The proposal aroused no special surprise due to the initial phase of
the Genocide bill adoption having evoked deja feeling.
On October 12, 2006, the National Assembly of France with 106 votes
for and 19 against adopted a bill on criminalization of the Armenian
Genocide denial. Then too, the draft law stipulated a 45,000 euro
fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denied this crime
against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire. The bill passage,
however, was followed by threats from Turkey and its younger brother
Azerbaijan regarding breaking ties and freezing military, trade
cooperation with France. Proposals to take "austerity measures"
towards France were heard.
Then, too, Presidential Candidate Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to foster
passage of the bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial.
In May, 2007, Sarkozy was elected president of France with Armenian
community members having backed his candidacy.
However, on May 4, 2008, French Senate with 196 votes against and 74
for blocked the Genocide bill passed by National Assembly in 2006.
An impression is created that the scenario was decided to be applied
this time, too. Thus, the French Senate may protract the bill until
April, with French presidential elections due on April 22, two days
prior to 97th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
Three months and it be will be clear whether Nicolas Sarkozy's pledge
was realistic or the French-Armenian community was once again trapped
for electoral votes.