FRENCH AMBASSADOR: FRANCE`S PARLIAMENT`S ADOPTING AN ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LAW NOT TO HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON OSCE`S ACTIVITY
Author: A. Ismayilova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 11 2006

France will not gain from the adoption of the law that will envisage
a criminal responsibility for a denial of the "Armenian Genocide",
Bernard du Chaffaut, France`s Ambassador to Azerbaijan told during
the press-conference held today.

He pointed out that France`s National Assembly is expected to put
forward this draft which was initiated by France`s Socialist Party
for the Parliament`s discussion.

The French Ambassador underlined that if even the national Assembly
adopts this draft, it will not speak that it will certainly put into
force. The Senate`s adoption is also needed for this aim. And even
if the Senate adopts the draft, that will not be an official position
of the French Government.

The French diplomat also pointed out that the adoption of the law
cannot have an influence on France`s relations with Turkey and
many countries, including Azerbaijan. This position will not have
any influence on Turkey`s joining EU, and it should be mentioned
that President Jack Shirak voted "pro" Turkey`s affiliating to
the organization. He also added that according to French laws, the
President has no right to veto any bill adopted by the legislative body
of the country. France has the analogical law concerning Holocaust.

Commenting expressions concerning the demands to expel France from the
team of the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group on the Azerbaijani-Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Mr.

Chaffaut said that French Co-Chairman Bernard Fasier represents
France`s Government, not its Parliament. Therefore, in his opinion,
France`s expelling from the organization is out of the question.

"Moreover, neither Azerbaijan`s President nor its Foreign Office have
not made any announcement in this connection", he told.