TURKEY REJECTS MICHEL LEGRAND’S VISA APPLICATION

Aysor
Feb 5 2010
Armenia

Michel Jean Legrand, France’s Oscar-winner composer, arranger,
conductor, and pianist, the composer of famous music for The Umbrellas
of Cherbourg, said on his tour to Russia’s Krasnodar, that Tirkey’s
government denied his entry to Turkey.

Legrand, whose Armenian ancestors come from a village located currently
at modern Turkey’s territory, said he wished to visit his family
village. However, Turkey’s government rejected his visa application.

Turkey’s government mockingly said that Legrand can’t entry Turkey
now; he may be allowed to visit Turkey later, but not now, Turkish
officials said.

Michel Legrand stressed he was denied to visit Turkey as he has
Armenian roots. Besides, Legrand has criticized Turkey. He said in an
interview: "The 1915 mass killings of Armenian population in Turkey
are terrible and crashing. And Turkey’s unwillingness to recognize
Genocide means that Turkey will never join the European community. Now
Turkey-Armenia relations are normalizing; it is good, but it would
be better if Turkey returned Armenian territories which Turkey had
stolen. Although I perfectly know how these all is difficult."