CHIRAC MEETS WITH ARMENIAN PATRIARCH KATEKIN II

Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 2 2006

French President Jazques Chirac met with the leader of the Armenian
Orthodox Church yesterday on the final day of his two day visit to
Armenia. Chirac and Patriarch Karekin II came together to take a tour
of Armenia’s Etchmiadzine Cathedral yesterday, with Chirac writing
the following in the cathedral’s guest book:

"In memory of my visit to the spiritual heart of the Armenians,
and the touching visit I have had with the great Armenian people……"

At a visit to a memorial for the so-called Armenian genocide in
Yerevan two days ago, Chirac was asked by a reporter whether he thought
Turkey should be forced to recognize Armenian claims of genocide as
a pre-condition for EU membership. The French president responded:

"If we are going to speak honestly, yes, I do believe this is
necessary."