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ANKARA: Reactions To Adoption Of Draft Law By France

REACTIONS TO ADOPTION OF DRAFT LAW BY FRANCE

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – Adoption of the bill on criminalizing denial of so-called
Armenian genocide by the French national assembly has given rise to
nationwide reactions in Turkey.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Administrator Kemal
Dervis expressed his regret saying, "this bill restricting freedom
of expression is extremely erroneous. But we should not respond to
such a mistake with another mistake."

Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu also condemned the
decision saying, "France itself will suffer the heaviest economic and
political loss. Western countries called us to annul Article 301 of
the Penal Code on the pretext that it restricts freedom of thought
and expression. Now, they will punish those who express historical
facts. This is nothing but a serious contradiction. If the bill is
enacted, I will go to Paris and shout that Armenian genocide never
took place."

Another reaction came from True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar.

Releasing a statement, Agar noted, "this decision is a violation
of democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. It will lead
to irrecoverable damage in the bilateral relations between Turkey
and France."

Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer noted that France,
in fact, stained itself not Turkey.

"Undoubtedly one of the targets of this initiative is to hamper
Turkey’s EU membership process. We should not give up our goal since
any standstill will satisfy those who are trying to exclude Turkey
from the EU," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said,
"it is not possible to mortgage history by making such decisions.

This decision aims at preventing talks over historical facts."

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS
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