Henri Jibrayel: I will think about Hrant Dink when votingDecember 22, 2011 - 14:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French MP Henri Jibrayel described the debate of the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial as their duty and not a legislative case. Jibrayel slammed certain statements claiming that it is carried out in the framework of election campaign. “I will vote for all my Armenian friends, thinking about Hrant Dink when voting,” he added. Today, December 22, the French parliament is debating the bill, which envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France. Turkey has piled pressure on France to drop the law ahead of the vote, with President Abdullah Gul and a Turkish delegation to Paris warning its adoption will spark a diplomatic crisis and have economic consequences. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |