TURKEY, FRANCE ON BRINK OF DIPLOMATIC, ECONOMIC "WAR"
Vestnik Kavkaza
Jan 24 2012
Russia
Turkey has spoken out against the French Senate's passing of a bill
on persecution for denial of Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire
during WWI, Reuters reports.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called it an "irresponsible" step and
warned it may take measures.
The new law punishes people denying the Armenian Genocide of 1915
with a year of prison or a fine of ~@45,000.
There were 127 votes for the bill and 86 against in the French Senate
(upper chamber).
The French National Assembly (lower chamber) passed the bill on
December 22. 45 out of 577 MPs voted, with 38 for the bill and
7 against.
In response, Turkey froze diplomatic relations with France. Turkish
Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin called the bill unjust and
disrespectful towards Turkey. He added that it has no legal force.
A spokesman of the Turkish ambassador to Paris, Engin Solakoglu,
said that France had lost a strategic partner.
The bill will come into force in 15 days, signed by French President
Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Turkish diplomat warned that Ambassador Tahsin Bursuoglu would
leave Paris as soon as the bill comes into force. He added that Ankara
will take counter measures.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to make a
speech at the parliament, condemning France, and initiate passing of
a list of sanctions.
Turkey threatened Paris on Monday. Erdogan said he would never visit
France again, should the bill be passed. France urged Turkey to remain
calm and called it one of the key partners.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier that Turkey
would consider recognition of the Algerian Genocide by France in 1945.
Ankara does not want to limit itself with diplomatic measures only. It
limited participation of French companies in tenders, stopped exchange
of intelligence information, closed aerospace for French air forces,
banned the French navy from entering Turkish territorial waters,
stopped support of France in international organizations, stopped
giving Paris information on Iran, Syria and the Middle East and
stopped cooperation in science, technologies and culture.
Vestnik Kavkaza
Jan 24 2012
Russia
Turkey has spoken out against the French Senate's passing of a bill
on persecution for denial of Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire
during WWI, Reuters reports.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called it an "irresponsible" step and
warned it may take measures.
The new law punishes people denying the Armenian Genocide of 1915
with a year of prison or a fine of ~@45,000.
There were 127 votes for the bill and 86 against in the French Senate
(upper chamber).
The French National Assembly (lower chamber) passed the bill on
December 22. 45 out of 577 MPs voted, with 38 for the bill and
7 against.
In response, Turkey froze diplomatic relations with France. Turkish
Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin called the bill unjust and
disrespectful towards Turkey. He added that it has no legal force.
A spokesman of the Turkish ambassador to Paris, Engin Solakoglu,
said that France had lost a strategic partner.
The bill will come into force in 15 days, signed by French President
Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Turkish diplomat warned that Ambassador Tahsin Bursuoglu would
leave Paris as soon as the bill comes into force. He added that Ankara
will take counter measures.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to make a
speech at the parliament, condemning France, and initiate passing of
a list of sanctions.
Turkey threatened Paris on Monday. Erdogan said he would never visit
France again, should the bill be passed. France urged Turkey to remain
calm and called it one of the key partners.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier that Turkey
would consider recognition of the Algerian Genocide by France in 1945.
Ankara does not want to limit itself with diplomatic measures only. It
limited participation of French companies in tenders, stopped exchange
of intelligence information, closed aerospace for French air forces,
banned the French navy from entering Turkish territorial waters,
stopped support of France in international organizations, stopped
giving Paris information on Iran, Syria and the Middle East and
stopped cooperation in science, technologies and culture.