National Security Council discusses French resolution on Armenian allegations

ANKARA (A.A) – National Security Council (MGK) members discussed the French resolution on Armenian allegations regrading 1915 incidents. It was seen how wrong to re-write the history by the biased decisions of the parliaments, said MGK statement on Wednesday. The lower house of the French parliament recently adopted 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. MGK stated that it was still expecting France to step back, adding that if the resolution became a law, it would be objected in every way. The resolution is violating freedom of expression, scientific studies and related international laws, said MGK, adding that this issue harmed the rooted Turkish-French relations. During its meeting, MGK also discussed the PKK terrorist organization, and it stated that the effective and determined fight against PKK would be pursued in every area. Other topics of the MGK meeting were Iraq and Syria. MGK stated that Turkey attached importance in Iraq's security and stability, and was closely following the recent developments in this country, adding that it was important to solve the political crisis --which emerged immediately after the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Iraq-- with the understanding of pluralist democracy and respect towards the supremacy of law. Regarding Syria, MGK statement said that violence against civilians and opposition in Syria should immediately be stopped, adding that the future of Syria should be set by Syrian people. (GC)