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."