JACQUES CHIRAC: I THINK TURKEY HAS TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Petros Keshishian

AZG Armenian Daily
04/10/2006

The 3-day visit of French president Jacques Chirac to Armenia was the
first visit of a leader of a Western super power to our country. Le
Figaro writes that the word "Remember" that Mr. Chirac wrote in the
guest-book of the Genocide Museum is very symbolic.

Jacques Chirac is considered friend of Armenia that got its
independence in 1991. After having planted a tree of memory at
Tsitsernakabrd, Mr. Chirac together with Bernadette put carnations
at the fire. Mr. Chirac was accompanied by Armenian famous footballer
Youri Djorkaeff and journalist Daniel Bilalian.

Le Figaro cites the words of Jacques Chirac uttered after a joint
press conference with president Kocharian: "France recognizes the
Armenian Genocide."

Though Mr. Chirac’s circle does not react on president’s words, the
French-Armenians dubbed his statement a "progressive step". Yet,
many Diaspora Armenians are displeased that Mr. Chirac previously
condemned draft law discussions of October 12 that French socialists
put forward. Once approved, those denying the Armenian Genocide will
face a fine of 45.000 euro and up to 5 years in prison.

In Mr. Chirac’s words, "the draft has to do with dispute than a legal
reality." He believes that the current legislative arsenal allows
punishing denialism.