PANIC IN THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA OVER TURKISH PRESSURE ON FRANCE

Hurriyet, Turkey
May 17 2006

Sources are reporting that the Armenian diaspora in France is reacting
negatively to the general reaction from both business and civilian
organizations in Turkey in the run-up to the debates tomorrow in
the French Parliament on a bill which, if approved, would mandate
prison sentences for those denying Armenian claims against Turkey of
a genocide. Fearful that the law may not pass tomorrow, organized
members of the Armenian diaspora in France put a full page ad in
yesterday’s French newspaper “Liberation” in support of passage of
the bill. The ad noted that “denial is a crime” and that “a law is
necessary” to deal with the denial.

One web site run by Armenians in France, “Nouvelle d’Armenie,”
reflected the general feeling in the community yesterday, with an
article entitled “Turkey’s unacceptable blackmail.” Portions of the
article read “For days, Turkey has been putting pressure on France
to prevent the passage of the denial bill. Prime Minister Erdogan is
himself threatening French firms with boycotts. There is an aggressive
e-mail campaign aimed at the French Parliament members.

Despite this propoganda, the French Armenian Organization Coordination
Council believes that the interference by a third country in France’s
business will not be accepted, as French laws concern only French
citizens.”

Meanwhile, Turks living in Paris have organized a group in connection
with the controversial “genocide denial” bill, and have sent more
than 12 thousand e-mails and letters to French MPs and top level
authorities over the past weeks. Tomorrow, during the talks in the
French Parliament on whether or not to pass the bill, the Turkish
group, calling themselves “Soz Hurriyeti Kolektifi,” will protest in
Paris’ La Place d’Invalides.” Armenians have also reportedly received
permission from the police to protest at a different spot.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress