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 French Journalists Condemn France |
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Sunday, October 15 2006 @ 11:19 PM Central Daylight Time
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Thirty-three French journalists who came to Istanbul to see famous photographer Goksin Sipahioglu’s exhibition at the Istanbul Modern entitled, “Right Time, Right Place”, condemned France’s Armenia bill.
The journalists, who arrived at Istanbul Modern after touring Istanbul, answered questions from Zaman. Goksin Sipahioglu, Ara Guler, Yasar Kemal and French ambassador Paul Paudade shared the same views about the Armenian bill.
“France made a historical mistake. We hope it will take step back,” they said.
Paul Poudade (French Ambassador): “The bill has passed. It is too early to say that it has been adopted. There is a long procedure ahead of it. I don’t think that it will be adopted. It is an unnecessary law. We are entering into a difficult period; however, we will deal with it. Why am I staying this if we will not solve this problem? The government is absolutely against the bill.”
Claire Guillot (Le Monde): “Let me first congradulate Orhan Pamuk and Turkish literature for winning the Nobel Prize. I had read “My Name is Red” and I liked it. It is a coincidence that the Armenian bill was passed in the French parliament on the same day that Orhan Pamuk received a Nobel Prize. We actually have a sufficient number of laws. There was an exhibition in June. The municipality cancelled the exhibition when controversies came up about photographs depicting Armenian history. France should not interfere in relations between countries.
Cyril Drouhet (Le Figaro): “It is a very foolish law. We actually have enough laws. I don’t think that it will be put in practice. There is a long procedure ahead of it and the bill cannot be adopted in the face of such big opposition. Even passing it in the parliament is a historic mistake for France. Why does France intervene in other countries’ affairs? Historians should deal with this issue, not the deputies. If France wants to do something, it should go and look at Algeria. The Armenians might have a problem. They should solve their problem with the country they have a problem with. It is very funny for France to hinder freedom of thought and expression.”
Annie Boulat (Cosmos Photo Agency): “It is such an odd thing that it cannot be of France’s doing. Many French people agree with me on that. We are all surprised because it was for the sake of the general elections in 2007, to garner Armenian votes. They were indeed wrong as they backed a few parliamentary members, while the president and prime minister, as well as the Senate, reject it. I never believe it will be implemented.”
Francois Siegel (Ikono Photo Agency): “We wonder if France will deal with each nation’s problems. It was approved because of the demand of a few parliamentary members. Everyone can think and say whatever they want. Is it possible to accept this as crime, especially in France? I am not pleased with my country’s attitude. I cannot understand why Armenians struggle with such a bill. Let the historians work on it. I am sure that France will be able to stop it by itself by understanding the mistake soon. But the liberal prestige will be broken.”
Jean Francois Leroy (Perpignan Festival Director): “I don’t believe that the bill will be able to become law. It shouldn’t either. We can think that it is only for the sake of the general elections. How can such a law be approved when everybody disagrees? This is an issue concerning history. Some French people bring it to the agenda. There are also fools in France as there are anywhere else. Do not worry! It cannot become law.” |
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