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FRANCE SEEKING TO SATISFY ARMENIANS, TURKEY OVER GENOCIDE ISSUE
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Feb 12 2013
French Senator Nathalie Goulet has said France is seeking to find
a solution to the issue of the so-called Armenian genocide ahead of
the 100th anniversary of the events of 1915 which will satisfy both
Armenia and Turkey.
"France is discussing the case with the Turkish government to find a
solution that will satisfy Armenians, but at the same time will not
have a shock effect on Turkey," Goulet told the Cihan news agency
on Tuesday.
Goulet also said French President Francois Hollande is planning to
display a decisive stance on the issue.
Relations between Paris and Ankara had begun to thaw after a decision
in February 2012 by France's constitutional court to strike down a
genocide denial law proposing to make it illegal to deny the Armenian
genocide in France as contrary to free speech. Ties between the two
countries looked to be resurrected after the election of President
Hollande, who had signaled readiness to abandon the contentious
law to criminalize denial of Armenian claims of genocide. However,
no steps have been made as of yet.
Armenia, backed by many historians, says that about 1.5 million
Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey during World War
I in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by the Ottoman government.
Turkey says there was heavy loss of life on both sides during the
fighting, in which Armenian partisans supported invading Russian
forces. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after the war. Successive Turkish
governments and the vast majority of Turks feel the charge of genocide
is an insult to their nation.
Noting that Turkish-French relations have been gaining momentum
recently, Goulet said the Armenian issue is the biggest obstacle to
healthy bilateral relations. She also noted how big and powerful the
Armenian diaspora in France is, adding that the French government is
not going to overlook Turkey this time.
From: Baghdasarian
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Feb 12 2013
French Senator Nathalie Goulet has said France is seeking to find
a solution to the issue of the so-called Armenian genocide ahead of
the 100th anniversary of the events of 1915 which will satisfy both
Armenia and Turkey.
"France is discussing the case with the Turkish government to find a
solution that will satisfy Armenians, but at the same time will not
have a shock effect on Turkey," Goulet told the Cihan news agency
on Tuesday.
Goulet also said French President Francois Hollande is planning to
display a decisive stance on the issue.
Relations between Paris and Ankara had begun to thaw after a decision
in February 2012 by France's constitutional court to strike down a
genocide denial law proposing to make it illegal to deny the Armenian
genocide in France as contrary to free speech. Ties between the two
countries looked to be resurrected after the election of President
Hollande, who had signaled readiness to abandon the contentious
law to criminalize denial of Armenian claims of genocide. However,
no steps have been made as of yet.
Armenia, backed by many historians, says that about 1.5 million
Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey during World War
I in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by the Ottoman government.
Turkey says there was heavy loss of life on both sides during the
fighting, in which Armenian partisans supported invading Russian
forces. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after the war. Successive Turkish
governments and the vast majority of Turks feel the charge of genocide
is an insult to their nation.
Noting that Turkish-French relations have been gaining momentum
recently, Goulet said the Armenian issue is the biggest obstacle to
healthy bilateral relations. She also noted how big and powerful the
Armenian diaspora in France is, adding that the French government is
not going to overlook Turkey this time.
From: Baghdasarian