TURKISH PRIME MINISTRY CONDEMNS ADOPTION OF FRENCH RESOLUTION

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – "We regret and condemn adoption of the resolution that makes
denial of baseless Armenian genocide allegations a crime by the French
parliament," announced Turkish Prime Ministry Press Center.

Releasing a statement, the Prime Ministry Press Center qualified
this decision as a "historical inconsistency", and indicated that
this decision is a big shame when respect to scientific facts and
freedom of thought and expression are taken into consideration.

"Narrow-minded politicians, who have made France live with this shame,
should think about what will happen from now on. Because the French
parliament has contradicted its own allegations regarding the French
history, and trampled the fundamental values it is defending.

Even though this parliament decision is not enough for legalization
of the resolution, this is a grave and historic mistake. There is
a big reaction against this resolution in France, and history will
naturally try those who close their eyes to these reactions and insist
on this wrong step," it noted.

"Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to control all the results of
this irresponsible attitude of some French politicians. We will
neither accept nor tolerate such an unjust decision. Our public,
including our Armenian citizens with whom we are living together
for centuries, are upset. Mr. Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip Erdogan)
is calling on our public, politicians and business circles to behave
with common sense when showing necessary reactions to this decision,"
the statement added.

-ARMENIAN PATRIARCH-

On the other hand, Mesrob II, the Patriarch of the Armenians in Turkey,
said that the resolution will strengthen the hands of not only Turkish
but also Armenian extreme nationalist and racist groups.

"The French, who have put several obstacles before Turkey on its road
to the EU, have hit a serious stroke on the very limited dialogue
between Turkey and Armenia. I think that this resolution, adopted by
the French parliament, is anti-democratic because it limits personal
freedom of expression," he stated.

Mesrob II added that the Armenians in Turkey are monitoring the
developments with concern.