  Sarkozy fans hatred for electoral gains – Erdogan  December 23, 2011 - 14:46 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused France of committing "genocide" in Algeria after French MPs voted a bill criminalising the denial of Armenian Genocide, AFP reports. "France massacred an estimated 15 per cent of the Algerian population starting from 1945. This is genocide," Erdogan told a news conference after the French move. "If the French President Mr. Sarkozy does not know about it, he can ask his father Pal Sarkozy... (who) had served in the French legion in Algeria in the 1940s," Erdogan said in his televised remarks. "I am sure he has many things to tell his son about the French massacre in Algeria," Erdogan said, accusing Sarkozy of "fanning hatred of Muslims and Turks for electoral gains". France is home to around 500,000 citizens of Armenian descent and they are seen as a key source of support for Sarkozy and his UMP ahead of presidential and legislative elections in April and June next year. On Thursday, December 22, France's National Assembly voted the first step towards passing a law that would impose a jail term and a Euro 45 000 fine on anyone in France who denies that the 1915 massacre of Armenians constitutes Genocide.   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 |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
