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SARKOZY WON'T OPPOSE GENOCIDE DENIAL CRIMINALIZATION BILL
Armenian Weekly
Tue, May 3 2011
PARIS, France-French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a French-Armenian
delegation Saturday that he would not oppose a bill pending in the
French Senate, which if approved, would criminalize the denial of
the Armenian genocide.
Nicolas Sarkozy A delegation of the Coordinating Council of Armenia
Organization in France met with the French leader at Elysee Palace
to discuss the bill and Sarkozy's position on the matter.
Sarkozy stated that the government would not interfere in the Senate
decision and guaranteed he would not oppose a vote in the Senate,
essentially saying that he would allow senators affiliated with his
party to vote their conscience. He also reiterated his position for
the need to continue the struggle against Armenian genocide denial.
The Senate is set to debate and discuss the bill on May 4. While the
bill is overwhelmingly supported by the Socialist bloc of the Senate,
French Armenians indicate that it may meet with opposition from the
Communist bloc and other parties.
The CCAF has scheduled a rally-demonstration in front of the Senate
on May 4. The group held a similar rally last month with Charles
Aznavour and a slew of legislators, human rights activists and
political officials in attendance.
The CCAF delegation was led by Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian,
and included Patrick Devedjian and Levon Sayan. Sayan represented
Charles Aznavour, who was in Switzerland for President Sarkisian's
visit there. Jean-David Levitte, the Elysee Palace diplomatic adviser
was also on hand at the meeting.
From: A. Papazian
Armenian Weekly
Tue, May 3 2011
PARIS, France-French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a French-Armenian
delegation Saturday that he would not oppose a bill pending in the
French Senate, which if approved, would criminalize the denial of
the Armenian genocide.
Nicolas Sarkozy A delegation of the Coordinating Council of Armenia
Organization in France met with the French leader at Elysee Palace
to discuss the bill and Sarkozy's position on the matter.
Sarkozy stated that the government would not interfere in the Senate
decision and guaranteed he would not oppose a vote in the Senate,
essentially saying that he would allow senators affiliated with his
party to vote their conscience. He also reiterated his position for
the need to continue the struggle against Armenian genocide denial.
The Senate is set to debate and discuss the bill on May 4. While the
bill is overwhelmingly supported by the Socialist bloc of the Senate,
French Armenians indicate that it may meet with opposition from the
Communist bloc and other parties.
The CCAF has scheduled a rally-demonstration in front of the Senate
on May 4. The group held a similar rally last month with Charles
Aznavour and a slew of legislators, human rights activists and
political officials in attendance.
The CCAF delegation was led by Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian,
and included Patrick Devedjian and Levon Sayan. Sayan represented
Charles Aznavour, who was in Switzerland for President Sarkisian's
visit there. Jean-David Levitte, the Elysee Palace diplomatic adviser
was also on hand at the meeting.
From: A. Papazian