Zaman, Turkey
Oct 13 2006

`France has Ruined Historical Prestige for Sake of Votes’
By Cihan News Agency
Friday, October 13, 2006
zaman.com

The French Parliament has shown that it is in pursuit of simple
policies and France has ruined all its historical prestige for the
sake of votes, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters
on Thursday afternoon.

Turkish government and NGOs have continued to protest the highly
controversial French bill on the so-called Armenian genocide, which
was passed in the French Parliament on Thursday.

FM Abdullah Gul criticized the adoption of the bill penalizing the
denial of the so-called Armenian genocide. "This will be an
unforgettable shame on France. From now on, France will never be able
to describe itself as a country of freedoms", FM Gul remarked during
a press briefing held following his meeting with visiting Afghan
Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

Gul underlined that the bill struck a heavy blow on Turkish-French
relations and seriously damaged the credibility of France as a
European Union (EU) member which defends freedom of expression.

"The parliament will meet on Tuesday with a special agenda and no
doubt we have measures to take in every field", Gul added, urging
that no one should harbor the conviction that Turkey will handle the
bill lightly.

Gul also assured that Turkey took this as a national issue.
"Certainly our reaction both at the official and public level will be
very big," Gul said implying possible boycotts on French products.

Meanwhile, protesters in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, egged
the French Embassy, and in Istanbul demonstrators marched down
Istiklal Avenue in Beyoglu district, laying a black wreath at the
gates of the French Consulate.

Despite huge reactions and warnings from the Turkish government and
public, the French National Assembly, the lower house of the
Parliament, on Thursday adopted the much-debated bill, which
stipulates up to one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros for
anyone who denies the so-called Armenian genocide during World War I.