ADOPTION OF GENOCIDE BILL ONLY FIRST STEP

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.10.2006 15:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Adoption of the bill criminalizing the denial of
the Armenian Genocide was quite expected, Head of the Department of
Turkey of the NAS of RA, Doctor Ruben Safrastyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter. In his words, the passage of the bill evidences that the
public and political forces of Europe understand that Turkey may become
an EU member only in case it opens the dark pages of its history.

"The country should find the courage to face the past and accept it
properly," Safrastyan said.

In his turn Head of Hay Dat Office Kiro Manoyan underscored in a
conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that the adoption of
the Genocide bill is only the first step. "Ratification in the Senate
is the next, while the President has to sign it after that. I do not
think serious problems may arise in the Senate," Manoyan remarked. As
for the threats by Turkey, the Head of Hay Dat Office underscored that
expected sanctions against France will hit as a boomerang upon Turkey
itself. "I believe that statements of the Turkish party within the past
week are bluff. It is in its own interest to recognize the Armenian
Genocide if it really wants to become an EU member," Manoyan said.