The collective denial is more serious than the individual. Naturally, it does not mean that the individual denial is acceptable, President of France Nikolas Sarkozy said at a joint news conference with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.
According to him, if such a big state like Turkey has recognized the black pages of its history including the Armenian Genocide in the beginning of the 20th century, France, as well as Armenia, would have considered that it is a notable step forward and would have perceived it as a gesture of peace and reconciliation. "There cannot be long reconciliation by putting under doubt the sufferings. There cannot be reconciliation by rejecting the historic facts", Sarkozy stressed.
The President of France said if big state like Turkey, that at any occasion showed its force and courage, found resources for doing this gesture, France would consider that its legislature that recognizes the Armenian Genocide is enough. "But it is not so at present and obviously the Armenian Genocide is being put under doubt", Sarkozy said, pointing out that France considered that it must go further in respect of changes in the legislation to make the denial criminally punishable. "My response is clear", President of France said.
As to the timeframe, Sarkozy noted that France is not putting deadlines. "It is not frank and it is not a way to reach reconciliation between neighbors. But in this case the time is not endless: I think there was enough time to think from 1915 till 2011", Sarkozy stressed, voicing hope that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey would take place during his presidency.
He also expressed hope that the Turkish public and government will display enough wisdom for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
ARMENPRESS
