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PERMANENT SANCTIONS AGAINST FRANCE THREATENED
Radio New Zealand
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/96685/permanent-sanctions-against-france-threatened
Jan 25 2012
Turkey has threatened to impose permanent sanctions on France, if
President Nicolas Sarkozy signs a bill making it a criminal offence
to deny that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians during
World War I.
Armenia says up to 1.5 million people died in 1915-16 as the Ottoman
empire split. Turkey rejects the term genocide.
Turkish ministers described the vote in the French senate to support
the bill as unjust and completely disrespectful.
Ambassador Tahsin Burcuoglu, says there will be repercussions.
The Senate approved the bill on Monday by 127 votes to 86.
MPs in the lower house approved the bill last month. Ankara froze
ties with France afterwards.
France has already recognised the killings as a genocide but the new
bill means anyone denying it faces a year in jail and a fine of 45,000
euros ($US57,000).
France has half a million citizens of Armenian descent.
Correspondents say their votes may be important in this year's
presidential elections.
Radio New Zealand
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/96685/permanent-sanctions-against-france-threatened
Jan 25 2012
Turkey has threatened to impose permanent sanctions on France, if
President Nicolas Sarkozy signs a bill making it a criminal offence
to deny that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians during
World War I.
Armenia says up to 1.5 million people died in 1915-16 as the Ottoman
empire split. Turkey rejects the term genocide.
Turkish ministers described the vote in the French senate to support
the bill as unjust and completely disrespectful.
Ambassador Tahsin Burcuoglu, says there will be repercussions.
The Senate approved the bill on Monday by 127 votes to 86.
MPs in the lower house approved the bill last month. Ankara froze
ties with France afterwards.
France has already recognised the killings as a genocide but the new
bill means anyone denying it faces a year in jail and a fine of 45,000
euros ($US57,000).
France has half a million citizens of Armenian descent.
Correspondents say their votes may be important in this year's
presidential elections.