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U.S. VALUES TURKISH, FRENCH RELATIONS
United Press International UPI
Jan 25 2012
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Washington is an ally to both the Turkish
and French governments and wants their relationship to remain on
solid ground, a U.S. State Department official said.
A bill that criminalizes denial of the World War I Armenian genocide
awaits the signature of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. It would
impose a sentence of a year in prison and a fine of more than $58,000
on those who deny any officially recognized genocide.
The Turkish government reacted swiftly to the decision. Officials in
Ankara described the measure as "racist."
Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the State Department, said both
governments were important allies of the United States but the matter
was largely a bilateral issue.
"Frankly, this is a matter between Turkey and France, and we want to
see good relations between them," she said. "They are both allies of
the United States and that's our message to both sides."
Turkey in December suspended diplomatic and military ties with the
French government. Turkish law prohibits descriptions of the Armenian
killings as genocide. The Turkish government admits to atrocities
but disputes the use of the term genocide.
United Press International UPI
Jan 25 2012
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Washington is an ally to both the Turkish
and French governments and wants their relationship to remain on
solid ground, a U.S. State Department official said.
A bill that criminalizes denial of the World War I Armenian genocide
awaits the signature of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. It would
impose a sentence of a year in prison and a fine of more than $58,000
on those who deny any officially recognized genocide.
The Turkish government reacted swiftly to the decision. Officials in
Ankara described the measure as "racist."
Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the State Department, said both
governments were important allies of the United States but the matter
was largely a bilateral issue.
"Frankly, this is a matter between Turkey and France, and we want to
see good relations between them," she said. "They are both allies of
the United States and that's our message to both sides."
Turkey in December suspended diplomatic and military ties with the
French government. Turkish law prohibits descriptions of the Armenian
killings as genocide. The Turkish government admits to atrocities
but disputes the use of the term genocide.