FRENCH ARMENIAN BILL DISSIDENT TO SETTLE IN TURKEY
By Ali Ihsan Aydin

Zaman, Turkey
Nov 22 2006

Politicians were not the only ones to react to the French bill that
would make denial of the alleged Armenian genocide punishable by law.

Historian Jean Michel Thibaux, who strongly opposed the draft, is
preparing to apply for Turkish citizenship and settle in the Turkish
city of Antalya. Thibaux, who is planning to move in 2007, will lecture
on history at Akdeniz University. The well-published historian is
currently studying the Turkish language. His admiration for Turkish
culture dates back many years. The French bill had the greatest impact
on his recent decision: "I’ve loved Turkey for such a long time,
and I was considering becoming Turkish. The draft accelerated that;
I was outraged." He offered an interesting analogy on the overall
situation of his country: "My country is going bankrupt; it’s going
straight to hell."

Thibaux describes Turkish culture as "one which resembles me, speaks
to me and amazes me…" Thibaux, who will arrive in Turkey to attend
the Seb-i Arus ceremonies in December in commemoration of great Muslim
thinker Mawlana, currently lives in a tiny yet lovely French town on
the Mediterranean coast. Speaking to Zaman, Thibaux made important
statements about his decision to live in Turkey, the draft on the
alleged Armenian genocide, and the overall situation in his country.

How did you decide to become a Turkish citizen? How did this idea
arise?

My idea to become a Turkish citizen dates way back. My father was
very fond of Turkey and naturally this love passed onto me. Since my
first visit to Turkey 25 years ago, the Turkish people and Turkish
culture have amazed me. This was an extraordinary sentiment that I
felt whenever I returned from Turkey to France. The idea of becoming
a naturalized Turk was fully materialized in 2000. At last, I chose
the soil that speaks to me, and resembles me.

So, it is not a reaction to the Armenian draft bill?

I have been fond of Turkey for a long time and I was already
considering becoming a Turkish citizen. The Armenian draft bill
accelerated the entire process. I was outraged! And I sent a letter
to Mehmet Dulger. The first bill recognizing the Armenian genocide
was outrageous. In reaction to this bill, I issued a historical
declaration, which I sent to the Turkish parliament as well. With
the adoption of the recent draft, I said, ‘I will become a Turk!’

Will you renounce your French citizenship?

It is impossible. Under the French Constitution, we do not have to
make such a choice. However, we are permitted to live in accordance
with the "other citizenship," that is to say, the Turkishness.

independent of French citizenship. My reaction is not with France,
but with French politicians. If there had been wiser men in the French
Assembly, the Armenian question would not even have been brought to
the agenda of the country.

Have you applied for Turkish citizenship? At what stage is the process?

My application for Turkish citizenship will materialize in the
weeks ahead. The Turkish authorities have all the information and
documents they need about me. On the other hand, I also sent a letter
of motivation to the interior minister. I was invited to Konya in
December. I suppose we will discuss the issue there. I started learning
Turkish with the aid of audio tapes and CDs. When I settle in Antalya,
I will hire a teacher. I hope I will be able to speak Turkish within
two or three months.

How did your friends and relatives react to this decision?

Contrary to what might be expected, pretty well. Nobody has strongly
protested. My family was excited. My son will also become a Turkish
citizen. The intellectuals I often debate with understood my
rationale. One prominent French friend will accompany me to Konya.

After my decision, those who are close to me adopted a different
stance toward Turkey.

After becoming a Turkish citizen, will you consider living in Turkey
as well?

I am considering living in Antalya from early 2007 on. Following
the media coverage of my situation, the rector of Akdeniz University
contacted me. He said they were considering giving me a chair in the
university, and that they would be honored if I accepted it. I am
an expert on antiquity. I have lectured extensively on this. I’ve
published three dictionaries. I intend to give antiquity lectures
in Antalya. As a resident of the Mediterranean, I would have a hard
time living in a city like Ankara. On the contrary, in many respects,
Antalya is similar to the place where I currently live.

What do you think about the denial bill? Will the draft be approved?

What are your remarks about the French attitude when it comes to its
own past? Sarkozy had said that ‘the sons would not apologize for
their fathers’ faults.’

For me, the draft bill has no value. Only 119 out of more than 500
deputies approved it. The draft does not represent the French nation.

I would like to recall that the person who put forward the draft is
the deputy of the predominantly Armenian Drome region. If I rely on my
own sources and President Chirac’s hidden will, I can say that this
proposal will not be ratified at the Senate. The worst case scenario
is the adoption of a bill with significant modifications so that it
will be impossible to implement. France should stay away from another
nation’s past. It should first look at its own past, and try to draw
conclusions. Sarkozy quoted from my statement, "We cannot hold the
sons responsible for what their fathers did." It is the historians’
job to shed light on the past.

First the suburbs, then university youth rioted. What is going on
in France?

France is having a serious identity crisis. Because it was unable to
adapt itself to the modern world, it is now incapable of resolving
the identity problems of the main constituents of the country. What
is more, the middle class is becoming poorer. The situation of the
laborers and small businesses is getting worse. I do not know how
we can deal with this collapse. France is avoiding its problems. We
are going bankrupt. It is the sin of our national arrogance and
self-conceit. We are still living with the victories of the past. In
the 1960s, France was the fifth-largest power in the world. Now it
ranks 19th. When will its fall toward hell end?