“ZERKALO”: PARLIAMENT OF FRANCE LEFT ARMENIANS HIGH AND DRY
M. Majidli

19.05.2006

Yet nobody will imprison for denying “Armenian genocide”

Reportedly our newspaper, yesterday the Parliament of France should
have discussed and taken a decision on “Armenian genocide”. Long since
France recognized this “historic fact” but indefatigable Armenian
lobby was trying to get a pursuit of those who deny “Armenian genocide”
and oppose “this fact”, i.e. it concerns deprivation of freedom of
“abandoned”.

Still in April Zerkalo referring to Turkish Milliyyet newspaper which
reported that this May 18 the Socialist Party of France would submit
a bill to the National Assembly of France according to which “those
who deny “Armenian genocide” will be sentenced to a year-imprisonment
or a fine amounting to â~B¬ 45.000″. The above-mentioned Party argued
its proposal that in 2001 French Parliament recognized “1915 Armenian
genocide”.

Turkey took concrete steps against it. Turkish authorities stated
that if French Parliament adopts this law, Turkish Embassy to France
will close, i.e. diplomatic relations will break off. It was also
stated that Turkey will review all economic agreements including with
private companies.

We do not know what mainly affected French MPs – the above-mentioned
statements of Turkish authorities or intensification of feeling of
justice but after yesterday’s debates French Parliament denied to
vote a bill and delayed the discussions.

In France, before to put the bill on agenda, it is discussed in
relevant commission. At the Commission session Jean Louis Debre,
Chairman of the Parliament decided not to submit this point to
voting and enraged Armenian lobby attended the session. After
declaration of decision Armenians stood up and began screaming: “We
demand voting”. But Chairman of Parliament did not intend to treat
excessively considerately with Armenians. Parliamentary security
service showed the door to violent Armenian lobbyists.

Roland Blump, Member of Ruling Party at the Parliament, said that
according to the laws of France, if Socialists want to re-submit the
bill to the Parliament, they have to review it obligatory and offer
new bill that they can do only a year later, starting by the way,
“all from zero”. So, only a battle has been won, war is yet to come.

–Boundary_(ID_QXS5ui5kL3/gGurpshE8ew)–