DANONE-TURKEY LAUNCHES SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN TO PROTEST ARMENIAN BILL
Zaman , Turkey
Oct 17 2006
French foods group Danone, which is one of the most well-known French
brands, will send letters to the members of the French Senate to
prevent the Armenian bill from becoming law.
Danone Turkey Director Serpil Timuray has said, "We are also against
the adoption of such a bill."
A total of 23,000 people are expected to sign the letter by Nov. 30,
which bears the emblem of the "Danone Turkey Family."
There will be a list of the 700 employees and 15,000 farmers from
whom Danone buys milk along with its 600 branches across the country
below the letter.
Timuray said that they printed 100,000 petition letters adding,
"We expect our employees to sign the petition."
The director remarked that they would submit the petitions to the
French Senate and she added that Danone Executive Manager Franc Riboud
sent a letter to the French Parliamentary President before Oct. 12
in which he explained the dangers of adopting the Armenian bill.
According to data provided by the company, Danone has a total of 400
million New Turkish Liras (YTL) invested in Turkey.
Danone managers in France were informed about the campaign, said
Timuray, adding that the managers were respectful to our beliefs and
agree with our civil action.
Timuray explained that Danone was a company operating in 32
countries across the world which it gives importance to the regional
sensitivities.
She expressed that there would be no change in their investment plans
and they would not revise their target of becoming a market leader.
Answering questions from members of the press, Timuray said that
there had been no decline in sales up until now.
In answer to another question, Timuray remarked that they may place
advertisements in French newspapers about the subject.
"Different reactions may come from society, but the important thing
is to do so in a reasonable way," said Timuray when asked about the
boycott of French goods.