M.F.A.: STATES’ RELIABILITY DEPENDS ON THEIR STANDING BY VALUES THEY ADVOCATE

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – "The reliability of the states depends on their standing by
the values they advocate," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) said on Thursday after French national assembly adopted a bill
on criminalizing denial of so-called Armenian genocide.

Releasing a statement, the MFA said, "although enactment of the bill
depends on a long process including approvals of the Senate and the
President, it has caused a profound disappointment in Turkey. We will
maintain our initiatives in all levels within this process."

"Recent strong criticisms against the bill have already unveiled
that even France was not fully satisfied with it and that such an
unfortunate initiative did not receive support of all public opinion.

However, it does not diminish the seriousness of the event," MFA said.

"This bill means a violation of French constitutional order regarding
freedom of expression as superior over all other constitutional rights,
and the relevant European Convention. It also contradicts the spirit
of France which inspired the whole world by defending the concepts
of freedom, equality and brotherhood," it said.

The MFA noted, "when it comes to dealing with France’s own history,
French parliamentarians advocate that it is the responsibility of
historians. However, they consider themselves the authority that
makes a decision on the history of another country. This is nothing
but a contradiction. This bill has also revealed the double-standard
attitude of France in a period when Turkey has been encouraged to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite all recent
reforms aiming at further improving fundamental rights and freedoms."

"This bill contradicts democratic regime since it prevents freedom of
thought and expression. It has caused a profound sorrow among Turkish
people including our Armenian citizens. 70-million Turkish nation
rejects such a restriction on freedom of thought and expression on
basis of totally baseless allegations. Unfortunately, by adopting the
bill, France has lost its privileged position within Turkish nation’s
point of view," the Ministry added.