Well-known French journalist Jean Eckian addressed an open letter to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the threshold of the Armenian Genocide anniversary.

The letter says: “As a Frenchman of Armenian origin, as a son of a father, who suffered from the Genocide and went through World War II, I write to express my indignation, along with other French Armenians, over the leaked diplomatic cable that prompted your unwillingness to support the bill envisaging criminalization of the Armenian Genocide denial.”

“The letter you addressed to the Armenian community on April 24, 2007 read that freedom of speech does not mean freedom to rewrite history and deny historical facts. However, several weeks later your diplomatic adviser hurried to set Turkey at ease. Thus, 500 thousands of French Armenians fairly accuse you of treachery… Anyway, on the threshold of the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians of France are still calling on you to keep your pledge,” it says.