Turkish parliament speaker sends letter to president of French Senate on Armenian resolution

ANKARA (A.A) - January 13, 2012 - In a letter sent to the President of the French Senate, Jean-Pierre Bel, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said that he found it seriously hard to understand when a country, known as a friend in Turkey, tries to be in the forefront of supporting 'special memories'. I believe that relevant countries should be able to establish their own models for a just memory instead of artificial imposition regarding historic issues that are in dispute, Cicek underlined in his letter. I have written my letter to bring to your attention an issue that may cause serious and permanent damage to deep rooted relations between Turkey and France, Cicek told Bel in his letter. I had informed the Speaker of the French Parliament about my sensitivity on the relevant issue recently, Cicek stressed. I felt a need to share with you some of my concerns after a resolution criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915 was placed on the agenda of the French Senate, Cicek said in his letter. Since the French Parliament adopted the (Armenian) resolution on December 22, 2011, our friendly relations have entered a phase of a serious tension. We watch very closely the developments in France, Cicek noted. I have to remind you that Turkey has made various historic proposals to Armenia to normalize relations, Cicek said. I do hope that you will share my thoughts that it would be unethical for a political organ to unilaterally carry an issue to its floor before a legal and scientific consensus have been reached, Cicek stressed. The initiative placed on the agenda of the French Senate on January 23 leaves historic and scientific research under a threat, Cicek said. I do not want to believe that an institution like the French Senate would support efforts to limit the freedom of expression and disregard universal values which France relies on so much, Cicek said. Turkey must be given the opportunity to normalize relations with Armenia and France's contributions in this regard would be beneficial, Cicek noted. I preserve my belief that you would make timely and responsible efforts so that the resolution does not hurt Turkish-French relations and that it would not be a blow to the freedom of expression, Cicek concluded his letter. The lower house of the French parliament adopted in December a resolution that criminalizes rejection of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Only 70 out of 577 parliamentarians joined the voting of the resolution which was adopted with majority of votes. The resolution envisages "one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for those who deny genocide recognized by French laws." French Parliament had recognized so-called Armenian genocide in 1915 on January 29, 2001. The draft criminalizing the rejection of Armenian allegations had first been approved in 2006, but it could not become a law as French President Nicolas Sarkozy prevented its presentation to Senate. Now, the senate's approval is necessary to make the resolution a law. Turkey strongly opposes the issue of the incidents of 1915 being used as a tool in French politics. Many believe that French President Sarkozy supports the Armenian resolution in order to garner support from France's Armenian population that number around 500,000. France will hold the first round of this year's presidential election on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6. Sarkozy is running for a second term. The resolution will be brought up to the French Senate on January 23 with the government's initiatives. Before it comes to the general assembly, it will be submitted to special laws committee and rapporteurs will prepare a report.  The committee can reject the bill, saying that it is against the constitution.  If the resolution is not adopted at the senate till February 22, 2012 when the parliament and senate will recess for presidential elections, it will be invalid.