Sarkozy will redraft Genocide bill in case of council rejectionFebruary 1, 2012 - 20:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Nicolas Sarkozy will immediately submit a new draft of a law punishing denial of the Armenian Genocide if France's top judicial body rejects it, two ministers stated, according to AFP. "The president told us in cabinet that he would immediately submit a new draft if there is a rejection by the Constitutional Council" of a bill approved recently by the French parliament, said one of the ministers, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another minister said Sarkozy had also criticized those in cabinet who had opposed the bill, saying they "did not see past the ends of their noses." He said a rejection of the bill by the Constitutional Council could open the door to questioning a law that penalizes denial of the Holocaust. After being approved by the National Assembly and Senate, the law was put on hold Tuesday, January 31 after politicians opposed to the legislation demanded that its constitutionality be examined. Two separate groups of French politicians who oppose the legislation - from both the Senate and the lower house - said they had formally requested the Constitutional Council examine the law. The groups said they each had gathered more than the minimum 60 signatures required to ask the council to test the law's constitutionality. The council is obliged to deliver its judgment within a month, but this can be reduced to eight days if the government deems the matter urgent. Turkey reacted furiously last week when the Senate approved the law, which threatens with jail anyone in France who denies that the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turk forces amounted to Genocide. Ankara has already halted political and military cooperation with France and was threatening to cut off economic and cultural ties if the law took effect. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | SBP instant transfers now available from 190 Russian banks to Armenia To receive money from Russian banks, easywallet users need to go to their easywallet accounts. Armenia's Davit Chaloyan qualifies for Paris Olympics The Armenian boxer qualified for Paris Olympics after a series of successful bouts at the 2nd World Qualification Tournament. French-Armenian journalist returns to France after 41-day hunger strike Nicolian said on social media on Sunday, June 2 that he needs to improve his health in order to “continue the fight”. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. |