Press Release: FRENCH GOVERNMENTS BLOCKS PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY FROM VOTING TO OUTLAW GENOCIDE DENIAL

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel: +322 732 70 26
Tel/Fax: +322 732 70 27
Email: contact@eafjd.org

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
May 19, 2006
Contact: Vartenie ECHO
Tel: +322 732 70 26


FRENCH GOVERNMENTS BLOCKS PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY FROM VOTING TO OUTLAW GENOCIDE DENIAL

-- President of National Assembly uses Delaying Tactics to Defer Vote
-- French Government Cites Economic Interests in Turkey

PARIS, FRANCE - The draft law establishing legal penalties for thedenial of the Armenian Genocide, set for a vote today of the National Assembly,was blocked by Jean-Louis Debré, the National Assembly’s president, who,under pressure from the French Government, deferred a vote on themeasure for an undetermined period.

The anti-denial measure was introduced by the Socialist Group as part ofits “Parliamentary Window." Despite the fact that it was listed as onlythe second item on the Parliamentary agenda, President Debré effectivelyblocked its consideration by artificially extending the first agendaitem by adding speakers, extending time limits, and other dilatory tactics.

These delaying tactics were confronted by the Socialist, Communist and Centrist groups. These protests, notably that of the President of the Socialist group, Jean-Marc Ayrault, led to Mr. Debré finally consentingto examine the anti-denial measure during the remaining thirty minutes leftin the session. Mr. Debre again delayed holding a vote and, with timehaving expired, he postponed the vote to an undefined future session.

Sensing the strong consensus behind the measure – and fearful of being isolated within the French political establishment, the Minister ofForeign Affairs, Mr Douste-Blazy, spoke against the resolution on the basis of France’s economic interest in Turkey. Almost all the other speakersargued in favor of sanctioning Armenian Genocide denial. Sources within Parliament reported that a broad majority of members, including those inthe conservative majority, were prepared to vote for the resolution.

“We thank the deputies who, by their commitment to the struggle forjustice and dignity, preserved the honour and prestige of France as a nation committed to these high ideals. We are however scandalized by theshameful schemes employed by the French government to hamper the free _expressionof members of the National Assembly on this core issue of concern to the conscience of all people,” said Hilda Tchoboian, President of theEuropean Armenian Federation.

“Both the government and the media should keep in mind the lesson of thereferendum on the European Constitution – namely that in a leading democratic nation, such as France, the will of the people cannot be ignored, deterred, or obstructed by the government. Sooner or later,the imposition of penalties for Armenian Genocide denial will be adopted because, in their wisdom, the French people and their elected representatives understand that the true basis for peace and progressare justice and the dignity,” concluded Tchoboian.

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