April 25, 2012 - 17:26 AMT
Sarkozy: we must adopt Armenian Genocide bill

Armenian Genocide denial in France is inadmissible, French President said.

As Nicolas Sarkozy noted during an Armenian Genocide commemorative event in Paris, many disagree with the position, putting forward mainly ungrounded arguments.

He further said that France forces Turkey into reconsidering its own history.

“Reviewing own history is not a sign of weakness, because mistakes must be admitted,” he said.

“France has recognized the events of the beginning of the 20th century as Genocide. What happened then cannot be termed as military operations casualties; Armenians were exterminated due to their nationality,” the French President said, addressing the participants.

He further dubbed the Turkish proposal to set up a committee of historians for examination of the fact of Genocide as offensive and unacceptable.

“I address those who have never been to Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, who have never experienced what I did - memories of the deep sorrow of Armenians around the world. However, I also felt proud that France offered shelter to Armenians in exile,” he said, pledging to adopt the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide.