Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Franco-Turkish relations: Armenian genocide, EU membership, arms deals
by Cyber Thesis Journal (Greece), Jan 23 2001
Posted: Sunday, January 28, 2001 08:24 pm CST

With Franco-Turkish relations in turmoil over the French parliament's recognition of the slaughter of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1917 as genocide, Britain has decided to expand the coming Saturday's Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony to include mention of the massacre of the Armenians.

Turkey has already recalled its ambassador to France for consultations, and is to announce trade sanctions against France within days. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, discussing possible measures against France with his coalition partners, said that any measures would be a response to a few "irresponsible politicians" and not to the French people, "most of whom come and visit our country."

Turkey's ambitions for European Union membership, and lucrative arms deals for French manufacturers - Turkey is about to spend $11.2 billion on helicopter and tank upgrading - make a resolution of differences attractive to both governments.

The European Union last year passed a "non-binding measure" accusing Turks of genocide.

The U.S. Congress dropped a resolution on the Armenian genocide issue when President Bill Clinton pointed out the threat it might pose to U.S. interests in the Middle East.

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