FRANCE CONDEMNS THE NEGATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

A1+
[04:30 pm] 12 October, 2006

The French Parliament voted, today October 12, 2006, in favour of the
bill penalizing the negation of the Armenian genocide. After 3h30 of
debates to the platform of the national assembly, the deputies voted
"YES" in majority (127 against 19) for the law condemning the negation
of the Armenian genocide.

The amendment of former minister Patrick Devedjian, authorizing the
debate of the historians on the history of the Genocide was rejected
by the deputies.

In an atmosphere of great emotion the whole of the members of
Parliament present in the French hemicycle, affirmed with strength
their determination to defend the inalienable right of the Armenians.

"It is with the heart that UDF group will vote on the bill" said
Andre Santini, great friend of the Armenian community of France.This
law condemns the contraveners to a maximum sorrow of 45000 euros fine
and one year of prison.