ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News

DYP protests against France
Thursday, October 19, 2006

The opposition True Path Party’s (DYP) Istanbul branch protested
yesterday against the approval by the French National Assembly of a
bill that makes denial of the alleged Armenian genocide a crime.

Nearly 50 DYP members who gathered in Taksim Square unfurled a huge
Turkish flag and marched to the French Consulate General on Ýstiklâl
Avenue. After performing the Turkish national anthem, DYP Istanbul
Province Chairman Faik Ýcmeli made a speech and said: "This bill,
which ignores freedom of thought and expression, shows France’s
double standards. We condemn France’s attitude. If this decision is
not rectified, France will suffer from it."

The protest took place amid tight security measures and ended after the
group members laid a black wreath in front of the consulate general.

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