Almost a century after the fact, the Republic of Turkey continues to be disgraced for its persistent denial of the Armenian Genocide, The Publisher of the California Courier writes.

“During his visit to Armenia earlier this month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned Turkey by declaring that 96 years is long enough for Ankara to come to terms with its genocidal crimes. He also threatened to pass a law punishing denial of the Armenian Genocide, unless Turkey recognized it in the near future,” Harut Sassounian reminds in his column titled “96 Years Later, Turkey Still Pays A Price for Genocide Denial.”

“Rather than heeding Pres. Sarkozy’s sound advice, Turkish leaders retaliated by attacking him. The Turkish attacks on France included demonstrations in front of the French Consulate in Istanbul.”

“Former Ambassador Omer Engin Lutem expressed his concern that if France were to ban denial of the Armenian Genocide, it would trigger other European countries to follow suit. He cautioned the Turkish public that such a development on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide would constitute a significant victory for Armenians,” Sassounian writes.

He also quotes an Iranian diplomat, who recently noted: "The Armenian Genocide is a Damoclean Sword hanging over Turkey’s head."

Sooner or later, a wise Turkish leader would come to realize that acknowledging the Armenian Genocide is more beneficial to Turkey than its continued denial, Sassounian concludes.