Tuesday, 22 November 2005* Gul lashes out at French recognition of Armenian 'genocide'
The Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul yesterday lashed out at the French decision to recognize the Armenian claims of genocide, saying, "The only EU member state to sign a decision or agreement concerning the Armenian genocide claims is France."
Answering an official question on the controversial Armenian issue, Gul stated that although the Parliaments of some EU member states have made some decisions on the controversial issue, they aren't legally binding on the activities of the governments.
"No EU governments, except the French one, have recognized the Armenian genocide claims. Also such political decisions aren't legally binding on Turkey," Gul added.
There is a strong Armenian diaspora in France and the Armenians are very active in French politics. Also about 400,000 Turkish people live in France.
France argues that the 1915 events was genocide. However France does not accept the Algerian Genocide. The Algeria urged the French politicians to recognise the massacres committed by the French. France says the events should be left to the historians.
JTW with the New Anatolian
22 November 2005
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Tuesday, 22 November 2005
France and Armenian issue
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