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FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
-- ANCA Welcomes Major Milestone on the Path to Ending Turkey's Denial Campaign
WASHINGTON, DC - The French National Assembly today - resisting intense pressure from the Turkish Government - adopted a measure publicly recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The French Senate had overwhelmingly passed the same resolution last November.
"We commend the French National Assembly for its commitment to human rights and historical truth in adopting the Armenian Genocide resolution," stated an ANC of France (CDCA-France) spokesman. "Turkey's condemnation of the resolution and immediate recall of its Ambassador point to their continued attempts to force their denialist policies on democratic countries like France."
The resolution, which states that "France publicly recognizes the Armenian Genocide of 1915" was introduced by Rep. Francois Rochebloine, who joined some 20 members of parliament in speaking in support of the measure during the three hours of discussion leading up to the vote. According to Rochebloine, recognition of the Armenian Genocide opens the door to "respect for human rights and the establishment of trust" between Turkey and its neighbors. Other outspoken supporters of the resolution included Parliamentarians Martine David, Jean-Paul Bret, Patrick Devejian, Rene Rouquet, and Roland Blum. Over 1000 Armenians had gathered at the parliament building following a public appeal by the ANC of France (CDCA-France) and the April 24th Committee.
"With this vote today, we have reached a major milestone in the international effort to bring an end to Turkey's failed policy of denying the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "As Armenian Americans, we applaud the French Parliament for setting a constructive example for other nations as they move toward official recognition of this crime against all humanity."
In the days leading up to the vote, Turkish government officials applied heavy pressure on the Administration of French President Jacques Chirac and members of the French Assembly, threatening that French-Turkish relations would suffer if the Armenian Genocide resolution were approved. Following the adoption of the measure, the Turkish government condemned the vote, stating that a "serious and lasting" blow had been dealt to bilateral relations. The Turkish Ambassador to France was immediately recalled for "consultations." According to Agence France Presse, the head of the Turkish trade chamber has called for a boycott of French goods in retaliation of the Armenian Genocide vote. However, the Turkish co-chairman of the Turco-French Business Council denounced moves of immediate economic retaliation. "We should not act hastily. It is easy to spoil relations, but rebuilding them is difficult," he noted.
In a press conference following the vote, ANC of France (CDCA- France) Chairman Ara Krikorian noted that passage of the resolution would have two immediate implications. "First, it opens up the legal possibility of extending the Gayssot Law (condemning racist remarks) to include denial of the Armenian Genocide and provides the opportunity to expand the teaching of the Genocide within French schools," noted Krikorian.
French President Jacques Chirac must initial the law within the next 15 days for it to have the full force of law.
For more information regarding the French National Assembly's actions on the Armenian Genocide resolution, visit the ANC of France website -- http://www.cdca.asso.fr (The site is in French but has an English translation option located at the top right.)
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* To do your part to help advance the cause of Armenian Genocide recognition, visit the ANCA website at: http://www.anca.org
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Go to this site for Armenian Genocide info: http://www.genocidefactor.com
A well documented Aremenian Genocide info: http://www.cilicia.com/armo10.html
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ITALIAN PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES GENOCIDE ROME--The Italian parliament Friday, overwhelmingly voted, in a voice vote, to approve a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The measure introduced by the Forza Italia right-wing party leader Giancarlo Pagliarini and supported by fellow party member Gustavo Selva, calls on the government of Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The measure, which has similar language to Wednesday's amendment to a report approved by the European Parliament: "Invites the government of Turkey and the Grand Assembly of Turkey to increase its support for the Armenian minority -- which represents an important part of Turkish society -- particularly through public recognition of the genocide which the Armenian minority was subject to prior to the establishment of the modern Turkish state." Another resolution introduced by the same party calls for the "start [of] a dialogue with Armenia in an effort, particularly, to re-establish diplomatic and normal commercial relations between the two parties and lift the blockade currently in place." Armenian National Committee of Italy member Alecco Bezikian said the Italian-Armenian community, as well as the ANC and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation unit there worked diligently to ensure the passage of the resolution.
The text of Dole's April 24, 1996 statement follows:
"April 24, 1915 marks the beginning of the Armenian Genocide of the Ottoman Empire.
As you gather today to commemorate the 81st anniversary of this crime against society, I
want to pay tribute to the victims of this tragedy. I also share with you the hope that
society will never again allow such brutal treatment of humanity.
"Though April 24 is the day singled out to mark this tragedy, during the genocide
some 1.5 million Armenians were subjected to systematic extermination through a policy of
deportation, torture, starvation, and massacre, I join with the Armenian community in
mourning the dead and recalling the suffering and sacrifices of the victims.
"I am proud to underscore my unwavering solidarity and support of the acknowledgment
of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide as a historical fact. Unlike President Clinton, I have
been for years willing to recognize the First Genocide of the modern age. Until the
recognition of the Genocide suffered by Armenians receives universal acceptance, I stand
with you in your efforts to set right the record of the past.
"While today's occasion is a time for solemn reflection on the suffering of the
Armenian people, I also have a strengthened sense of dedication for the independence of
Armenia and self-determination for the people of Nogorno-Karabagh. When the 1988
earthquake devastated Armenia, I sponsored legislation which provided U.S. assistance to
the victims. It was my privilege to have visited Armenia in 1989 to better determine
enacting into law the largest allocation of U.S. assistance to Armenia since independence.
I authored the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which is now law, which prohibits U.S.
assistance to any country that blocks the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. I have
called on Turkey, which is in violation of U.S. law because of its blockade of Armenia, to
unconditionally end this inhumane practice. My unwavering support for continuing U.S.
sanctions against Azerbaijian also testifies to my commitment to Armenia and Karabagh's
quest for justice, peace, and security.
"I know that the future will be better. Most of you have ancestors who were victims
of the Genocide to whom all appeared lost. I too have endured war and its devastations,
and have learned from personal adversity to move on. In addition to the genocide,
Armenians were forced to live under Communist misrule and repression. But you have lived
to see your children prosper in freedom and to witness the historic re-establishment of an
independent Armenia. I will never retreat from my commitment to a strong and secure
Armenia.
"On this 81st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, I know that we can work together
to prevent such crimes from recurring. As we remember the past, let us also celebrate the
heroic rebirth of the Armenian people."
(signed) Bob Dole.
ITALIAN PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES GENOCIDE ROME--The Italian parliament Friday, overwhelmingly voted, in a voice vote, to approve a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The measure introduced by the Forza Italia right-wing party leader Giancarlo Pagliarini and supported by fellow party member Gustavo Selva, calls on the government of Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The measure, which has similar language to Wednesday's amendment to a report approved by the European Parliament: "Invites the government of Turkey and the Grand Assembly of Turkey to increase its support for the Armenian minority -- which represents an important part of Turkish society -- particularly through public recognition of the genocide which the Armenian minority was subject to prior to the establishment of the modern Turkish state." Another resolution introduced by the same party calls for the "start [of] a dialogue with Armenia in an effort, particularly, to re-establish diplomatic and normal commercial relations between the two parties and lift the blockade currently in place." Armenian National Committee of Italy member Alecco Bezikian said the Italian-Armenian community, as well as the ANC and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation unit there worked diligently to ensure the passage of the resolution.
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ASBAREZ ONLINE SPECIAL BULLETIN 03-30-2000 PARLIAMENT OF SWEDEN RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE STOCKHOLM--The parliament of Sweden passed a resolution Thursday recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported Paul Minassian, a member of the Armenian Genocide Recognition Commission of Sweden quoting Swedish-Armenian parliament member Murad Artin. Minassian said this comes following a massive grass-roots campaign launched by the Swedish-Armenian community, including leaders and organization. Also contributing to this victory was the response of protest from Armenians regarding the non-inclusion of Armenia in a Holocaust conference hosted in Stockholm. Artin described the recognition as another step toward the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its condemnation by other parliaments.
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05/29/98 FRANCE RECOGNIZES GENOCIDE PARIS (Gamk, Reuters)--The National Assembly of France Friday unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The bill was passed as demonstrators outsideq the parliament building carried a huge banner which read: ``Thank you France for recognizing the Armenian genocide.'' Young Gaullist parliamentarian Patrick Devedjian, was one of the key movers behind the parliamentary bill whose single sentence stated, ``France recognizes the Armenian genocide of 1915.'' In remarks on the parliament floqor numerous French parliamentarians representing both the right and left parliamentary blocs expressed their support for the recognition of the events on 1915 as genocide. In Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said in a statement after the French vote: ``I strongly condemn this decision which encourages racism and incites racist terror against Turkey.'' ``This decision is an initiative aiming to torpedo relations between Turkey and France. It is clear the people who support this decision prefer their racist emotions to France's national interests,'' he said. Cem's statement however made no mention of any counter-measures to be taken by Turkey. Armenia's ambassador to France, Christian Ter Stepanian, said in a statement that the vote ``was a historic act of recognition and a new sign of France's deep attachment to the values of justice and of human rights.'' But Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Necati Utkan said on Thursday: ``It is not possible or correct to pin the genocide label on Turkey over the sorrowful eventsq which occurred during World War One.''
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The European Parliament voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide on June 18, 1987.
President Bush issued a news release in 1990 calling on all Americans to join with Armenians on April 24 in commemorating "the more than a million Armenian people who were victims."
President Clinton issued a news release on April 24, 1994, to commemorate the "tragedy" that befell the Armenians in 1915.
The Russian Duma (the lower house of the bicameral Russian legislature) voted on April 20, 1994, to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Israel officially condemned the Armenian Genocide as Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Beilin proclaimed on the floor of the Knesset (the Israeli legislature), on April 27, 1994, in answer to the claims of the Turkish Ambassador, that "It was not war. It was most certainly massacre and genocide, something the world must remember."
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