Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2006
French Ambassador: "Senators are more far-sighted than MPs"
13 October 2006 [16:25] – Today.Az
"I regret that France Parliament adopted the law that would make it a
crime to deny false Armenian genocide by first reading," Bernard
Amaudric du Chaffaut, French Ambassador to Azerbaijan told
journalists.
He said the decision triggered serious public reaction, APA reports.
"The decision needs to be approved at some stages. I hope the Senate
will not approve this decision. French senators are more far-sighted
than parliamentarians. Even if the Senate approves it, the
Constitutional Court will determine whether the decision contradicts
to the constitution or not, because there is an item on freedom of
thinking in France constitution. The president may be the last
obstacle in the adoption of the law. A president having no veto can
refuse to sign the law. I hope the adoption of the law will be
postponed till March 2007, the parliamentary elections in France,
because, Armenian electors have great influence on France Socialist
Party," he said.
The Ambassador also said that he got acquainted with the Azerbaijan
Foreign Ministry’s position on the decision. He said this law will
damage France-Turkey and France-Azerbaijan relations.
"When France Parliament recognized false Armenian genocide the
relations between France and Turkey were not damaged. The other
positive point of it was that Turkish and Armenian historians agreed
to probe into historical events. Armenians organized strong Diaspora
in France and take an active part in political processes. I hope
Azerbaijan and Turkey will express their positions until the decision
is passed," Mr.Chaffaut said.
Ambassador also touched upon France President’s visit to Azerbaijan
and said that Jacques Chirac is not expected to postpone his visit.
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