ARF, French Socialist Party hold pre-electoral rally

Yerkir.am
April 06, 2007

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party and the French Socialist
Party held a pre-electoral rally in Alforville city near Paris. The
rally was held on April 3, 19 days prior to the first round of
presidential elections in France.

The rally was opened by Tadeh Karapetian. He invited Mayor of
Alforville Rene Rouquin to deliver a speech. In his welcome speech
Ruquin stated that only left-wing parties can solve the problems
existing in France. Rouquin confirmed the long lasting cooperation
between the French Socialists and the ARF.

In his statement the representative of the ARF’s Western Europe
Central Committee Murat Papazian noted that the ARF with its past and
experience has a special approach to political and social issues ever
since the XIX century.

Papazian noted that poverty still exists in a rich country like France
and injustice still occurs in different aspects of life. Therefore,
change is necessary.

Commenting on Turkey’s membership in the EU Papazian noted that the
present Turkey cannot become an EU member. It has to change if it
wants to bid for Europe. Papazian recalled the first secretary of the
Socialist Party adding that `the Armenians will not forget Francois
Holland.’ Papazian also commented on the positions of different
candidates adding that the Socialist Party’s candidate Segolene
Royalle is the only one who demands criminalization of the Genocide
denial. Papazian called the voters to support Royalle.

The first secretary of the French Socialist Party Francois Holland
made a statement. He recalled the hardships of the Armenian nation
since the XIX century and the support of the French socialists to the
Armenians in different times. Holland added that this support was
practical in the last decade. `This support was easy when the leftist
forces were a majority. And whenever the rightist forces gained
majority you, the Armenians, again support the Socialist Party.

After the disappointment of May 18 (on May 18, 2006 the speaker of the
parliament closed the parliament session without waiting for the end
of the discussion on criminalization of the Genocide denial) we once
again initiated the discussion of the draft law in the National
Assembly,’ Holland stated adding, ` Today I once again commit myself
to take the draft law to the Senate if Royalle is elected.’

Commenting on Turkey’s membership in the EU Francois Holland stated
that recognition of the Armenian Genocide should be put forward as a
precondition for Turkey’s membership in the EU.

Holland further spoke about the other presidential candidates
stressing the importance of the upcoming presidential
elections. Holland said two different visions of the future are
proposed for France ` one is a liberal-monetary vision, the other is a
progressive vision based on justice and respect.

He called on the voters to vote for Segolene Royalle to ensure that he
first of all passes to the second round of elections in order to avoid
the situation in April 2002 when the socialist candidate did not pass
to the second round.