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STRAINS IN TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS OVER ARMENIAN BILL
Qatar News Agency
December 22, 2011 Thursday 8:24 PM EST
Ankara, December 22 (QNA) - Turkish government decided to freeze
all diplomatic, military, economic and cultural visits to France and
recalled Turkish ambassador to France for consultations. Measures come
in the wake of a parliamentary approved bill that criminalize anyone
who denies a French recognized genocide including Armenian genocide.
Turkey canceled joint military exercises, rejected permission requests
from French warships to pass through its waters and froze a military
agreement that allowed French military aircrafts to fly over Turkey
without permission.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in statements that
Turkish archive is open for anyone who wants to investigate into the
Armenian issue and added that France isn't being fair to its people
who were not asked about this decision. Erdogan thanked French parties
who opposed the bill as he questioned freedom of expression in France.
The bill was approved by a large majority of 50 representatives who
were present then with only six opposing the bill.
Under the bill, anyone who publicly denies a genocide recognized by
France will face a one-year prison term and a fine of 45,000 euro. The
bill will go before the senate next year for final approval.
In this regard, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutogul received a
phone call from his French counterpart Alain Juppe where the French
minister asked Davutogul not to let the issue affect mutual relations
between the two countries according to Turkish Radio and Television
Corporation (TRT).
Turkey recognizes the death of 500,000 Armenians during the last years
under Ottoman Empire but denies committing a genocide and says they
died due to wrongdoings during World War.
In 2001, France recognized a genocide against Armenians between 1915 -
1917 where 1.5 million people died according to Armenians. (QNA)
Qatar News Agency
December 22, 2011 Thursday 8:24 PM EST
Ankara, December 22 (QNA) - Turkish government decided to freeze
all diplomatic, military, economic and cultural visits to France and
recalled Turkish ambassador to France for consultations. Measures come
in the wake of a parliamentary approved bill that criminalize anyone
who denies a French recognized genocide including Armenian genocide.
Turkey canceled joint military exercises, rejected permission requests
from French warships to pass through its waters and froze a military
agreement that allowed French military aircrafts to fly over Turkey
without permission.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in statements that
Turkish archive is open for anyone who wants to investigate into the
Armenian issue and added that France isn't being fair to its people
who were not asked about this decision. Erdogan thanked French parties
who opposed the bill as he questioned freedom of expression in France.
The bill was approved by a large majority of 50 representatives who
were present then with only six opposing the bill.
Under the bill, anyone who publicly denies a genocide recognized by
France will face a one-year prison term and a fine of 45,000 euro. The
bill will go before the senate next year for final approval.
In this regard, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutogul received a
phone call from his French counterpart Alain Juppe where the French
minister asked Davutogul not to let the issue affect mutual relations
between the two countries according to Turkish Radio and Television
Corporation (TRT).
Turkey recognizes the death of 500,000 Armenians during the last years
under Ottoman Empire but denies committing a genocide and says they
died due to wrongdoings during World War.
In 2001, France recognized a genocide against Armenians between 1915 -
1917 where 1.5 million people died according to Armenians. (QNA)