February 21, 2012 - 09:17 AMT
Expert links Azeri activation on Khojalu with Genocide bill passage

French Senate’s adoption of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial affected activation of the Azerbaijani policy regarding recognition of the so-called “Khojalu genocide,” according to Armenian expert.

Dwelling on the letter Azerbaijani girl issued to Armenian and French Presidents, urging them to recognize the so-called “Khojalu genocide”, Sargis Asatryan deemed it a PR-step aimed at drawing the international community’s attention.

According to the expert, neither Armenian not French authorities will respond to the letter.

“French response is likely to be a neutral statement, while Armenia may deliver a media level answer,” the political analyst said.

Earlier, an Azeri girl sent a letter to Presidents of Armenia and France Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarkozy requesting them to recognize the “Khojalu genocide.”

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. If signed into law by President, the bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.