PanARMENIAN.Net

French MPs Disagree on Armenian Genocide Issue

12.05.2006 14:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French National Assembly President
Jean-Louis Debre is opposed to the bill that would
penalize those who deny the Armenian Genocide.
Chairmen from both the ruling party and the opposition
Socialist Part (PS) have opposed the bill prepared by
the PS; and although it was rejected by the
Regulations Commission Wednesday, the legislative
proposal will be discussed at the General Assembly on
May 18. Debre said they continuously remind the
parties involved that history cannot be written with
laws. `It is just an offer for now,’ he added. Jean
Marc Ayrault, PS parliamentary group chairman, does
not hide his concerns either. Ayrault warning the
legislative offer will be `a source of chaos and
difficulty,’ stressed the offer came to the agenda as
“a result of big pressure from the party.” PS
Secretary-General Francois Hollande maintained
politicians have the right to speak on historical
issues and supported the bill. Hollande claimed the
acceptance of the genocide is a pre-condition for
Turkey’s membership to the European Union. If the bill
is approved, denial of the Armenian Genocide would
result in a fine of 45,000 and up to five years
imprisonment, reported Zaman Turkish daily.