ARMENIAN GENOCIDE NOT ONLY HISTORICAL FACT, BUT ALSO LEGAL NOTION

Yerkir
23.05.2006 16:49

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – History is not the historian’s manor. The Armenian
Genocide is not only a historical fact but also a legal notion that
is defined in the French Criminal Code,” Patrick Devedjian, an MP
representing the Union for Popular Movement and Adviser of Interior
Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, told Le Figaro. In his words, the parliament
is entitled to deal with legal issues.

“Nevertheless, I stand for free historic debates. The issue that
we discuss today is the shameful Turkish denialism in France. The
legislative power’s interference is necessary to avoid clashes between
communities,” he remarked.

The foreign minister was the government’s representative and he
explained that “Turkey should not be distressed by adopting this bill”,
Devedjian underscored. “I am astonished over his arguments on trade
relations, which is not only immoral but also wrong. Should I say
that around 1.5 million people fell victim to the Armenian Genocide?

Besides, the market economy is not subject to Ankara’s orders. In
2001 the French Parliament adopted a law, recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. Turkey threatened with sanctions. But the next year
our export to Turkey rose by 32 percent,” Devedjian said, the Azg
newspaper writes.