PARIS, France—French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a French Armenian delegation Saturday that he would not oppose a bill pending in the French Senate that, if approved, would criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
A delegation of the Coordinating Council of Armenia Organization in France (CCAF) met with Sarkozy at Elysee Palace to discuss the bill and his position on the matter.
Sarkozy said the government would not interfere in the Senate decision and guaranteed he would not oppose a vote in the Senate, allowing senators affiliated with his party to vote their conscience. He also reiterated his position for the need to continue the struggle against Armenian Genocide denial.
The Senate is set to debate and discuss the bill on May 4. While the bill is overwhelmingly supported by the Socialist bloc of the Senate, French Armenians indicate that it may meet with opposition from the Communist bloc and other parties.
The CCAF has scheduled a rally-demonstration in front of the Senate on May 4. The group held a similar rally last month with Charles Aznavour and a slew of legislators, human rights activists, and political officials in attendance.
The CCAF delegation was led by Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian, and included Patrick Devedjian and Levon Sayan. Sayan represented Charles Aznavour, who was in Switzerland for Armenian President Serge Sarkisian’s visit there. Jean-David Levitte, the Elysee Palace diplomatic adviser, was also at the meeting.
It is normal because Mr. Sarkozy is always french to the realities as Mr Erdogan said .
Sarkozy won’t miss this chance to slap on Erdogan’s face for the latter’s insult…