Deutsche Welle, Germany
Dec 14 2004

Turkey Has a “Duty to Remember”

In the latest twist to the debate surrounding Turkey’s eventual
membership of the EU, France has demanded that Ankara recognize the
mass killing of Armenians during World War I. Speaking after a
meeting in Brussels on Monday, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
said, “France will pose this question. I think Turkey as a large
country has a duty to remember.” Barnier made it clear that France’s
demand is not a condition for opening membership negotiations with
Turkey but said it would be raised once talks are opened. This is a
highly contentious issue for Turkey, which has refused to recognize
the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians as genocide. Ankara
insists that between 250,000 and 500,000 Armenians as well as
thousands of Turks were killed when they clashed during World War I.
Armenians say that their people died or were deported under Turkish
Ottoman rule. France officially recognized the Armenian genocide in
2001 and is now coming under pressure from Armenians living in France
to raise the issue with Turkey. Barnier’s words come just three days
ahead of a crucial summit of EU leaders — where Ankara is expected
to be given the go ahead to open negotiations. It is emphasized that
negotiations are open, but do not guarantee EU membership at the end.