FOREIGN MINISTRY DELIVERS HARSH REACTION TO FRANCE

Zaman Online, Turkey
Oct 12 2006

The Foreign Ministry has stated that relations between Turkey and
France received a severe blow with the passing of the controversial
genocide denial bill.

The statement made by the ministry remarked that, "The long-standing
historical relations between Turkey and France, which have grown
through the centuries with great care, have received a severe blow
today because of the irresponsible attempts – based on groundless
claims – of a group of French politicians who are unable to appreciate
the consequences of the policies they follow."

The statement continues: "Despite of all the diplomatic and
parliamentary efforts carried out hand in hand at all levels for
a long time by the Turkish Parliament, our citizens in France, our
non-governmental organizations and business environments; after being
submitted to the French National Assembly by the Socialist Party last
May without any results, the passing of the bill this time on Oct.12,
2006 in the French National Assembly, envisaging severe punishment
for denying the Armenian genocide, has caused a profound grievance."

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S heer Disappointment A statement released said that today’s Armenian
genocide bill would have to go through a long process for it to become
a law.

It must pass through the senate before final approval by the French
president.

Nonetheless, with this first step taken by the French parliament,
the Turkish government is disappointed.

The statement also reassured the Turkish government of efforts by the
French government to put a stop to any progress with the Armenian bill.

"This bill , a violation of both the French constitutional system
that gives the utmost priority to freedom of expression and the
European Treaty that specifies situations when freedom of expression
and of thought can be restricted, goes against the values of liberty,
brotherhood and equality, identified with the French nation, a source
of inspiration for free world," the statement read.

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A Typical Contradiction In the statement, it is said "It is a typical
contradiction for a country’s parliament to say, by means of top
authorities, that the parliament has no task of rewriting history,
this responsibility belongs to historians when it is about its own
history but assumes a right to judge other states’ history and to
penalize." In the statement it is also mentioned that discussing such
a bill in France is an example of a double standard. The statement
reads as follows:

"Despite important reforms we have realized in recent years in order to
develop fundamental rights and freedoms and in a period when Turkey
is advised to take additional steps on freedom of expression, the
discussion on such topics as the bill in France is another double
standard. A State’s credibility depends on protecting values that
they lay down for others to follow.

This bill takes the freedom of thought and expression hostage in
a way totally contrary to a democratic regime has sparked a deep
outrage in the Turkish nation as well as in our Armenian citizens.

Seventy million Turkish people reject the restriction of freedom of
thought and expression with reference to baseless allegations.

Unfortunately, this bill makes France lose its privileged position
by the Turkish people."