French parliamentarian called Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide

PanArmenian News
March 3 2005

FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIAN CALLED TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

03.03.2005 17:39

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French deputy Jacques Toubon raised the
“unquestionable reality” of the Armenian Genocide during the 53rd
reunion of the EU-Turkey inter-parliamentary delegation, of which he
is the vice-president. During his talk, Mr Toubon indicated to his
Turkish counterparts that the recognition of this genocide
constituted an “important element for Europe” and of its “common
values”. In particular he highlighted that the European Parliament,
since 1987, had on numerous occasions recognised the reality of the
Genocide and since then, continually asked Turkey to do the same. He
explained that “by refusing to ratify the Treaty of Sevres of 1920,
Turkey did not want to recognize this genocide” which could be
explained in the political context of that time, but “90 years later,
Turkey must change” and adopt European values while recognizing this
historic reality, Jacques Toubon noted. His statements provoked the
rage of the Turkish officials participating in the meeting.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS