CHIRAC’S GENOCIDE REMARKS INTIMIDATE FRENCH FIRMS

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 4 2006

Reactions to French President Jacques Chirac, who implied during
his Yerevan visit that Turkey should recognize the alleged Armenian
genocide to become an EU member, are growing.

French firms are now concerned that their investments in Turkey
would be negatively affected by the remarks. The draft law that would
penalize those who deny the alleged genocide has also deepened such
concerns. French paper Le Monde, drawing attention to the financial
difficulties of the French companies interested in Turkish bids,
stressed that the remarks could cause a substantial loss totaling
billions of dollars. A political advisor of Chirac stated that it
has become apparent the president needs to clarify his remarks.

Speaking to Le Monde, Chirac’s advisor noted that there was no
change in the president’s supportive position regarding Turkey’s
EU membership. The advisor, who stressed that Chirac’s remarks were
political, not legal, noted that it is now imperative for Chirac to
make an explanation to Turkey concerning his statements in Yerevan.

The draft bill that stipulates the punishment of those who deny
the alleged genocide will be discussed in the plenary of the French
parliament on Oct. 12. French firms are highly concerned that the
draft will be adopted because of the upcoming elections. Before
the parliamentary discussions held to review the draft bill in May,
the foreign trade ministry had sent a note to the deputies referring
to the economic risks for France in case of its adoption. The note
published by Le Monde stressed that the firms interested in Turkish
bids would have to face billions of dollars loss if the bill were
adopted. The French firms interested in Turkish bids include large
firms such as AREVA, Eurocopter, Alstom and Credit Agricole.

In a statement he made to Le Monde, French politician of Armenian
origin, Patrick Devedjian, recalling that Chirac has made a clear
point for the first time, cited his remarks as an historical turning
point. Devedjian noted that Chirac, by making the remarks, transformed
the 2001 genocide law, which is of legal character, into a political
action. Drawing attention to the analogy Chirac made between the
Holocaust and the alleged genocide, he further noted that Chirac is
the first leader who made a connection between the Jewish genocide
and the alleged Armenian genocide.