FRENCH SENATE TO VOTE ON ARMENIAN BILL TODAY
07.11.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The bill on recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915 is expected to be voted on today in the French Senate, being put forward by some political groups of France, socialists and communists, in particular.
The Turkish press notes that there is no difference at all between this new bill and a previous one which was accepted by the French Parliament in 1998. The reason it is being seen this time is that it is being introduced as a "personal initiative." The bill contains the expression, "France officially recognizes that Armenians were subjected to an act of genocide in 1915."
Recently the President, Defence Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkey addressed to their French counterparts expressing Turkey's sensitivities on the matter, stressing that adoption of the bill would negatively affect the French-Turkish relations. -0--
The Turkish press notes that there is no difference at all between this new bill and a previous one which was accepted by the French Parliament in 1998. The reason it is being seen this time is that it is being introduced as a "personal initiative." The bill contains the expression, "France officially recognizes that Armenians were subjected to an act of genocide in 1915."
Recently the President, Defence Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkey addressed to their French counterparts expressing Turkey's sensitivities on the matter, stressing that adoption of the bill would negatively affect the French-Turkish relations. -0--
