Turkish FM: Bringing up Armenian bill against universal values

KAYSERI (A.A) - January 23, 2012 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that bringing up the bill, which criminalizes the denial of Armenian allegations regarding 1915 incidents was against core, spirit and universal values of modern era. Replying to questions of reporters regarding the Armenian bill that will be voted at French Senate on Monday, Davutoglu said this bill was against basic principles of French constitution and European values. Davutoglu said that they earlier expected a debate on the bill before it was submitted to the senate, but it did not take place. "From now on, European values are under a big threat. If every parliament makes decisions on their own historical view and implement these decisions, a new inquisition era will begin. Books excluding this historical view will be burnt. Those who will voice views, expressions and comments apart from this historical view will be put into jail. It is a typical inquisition view. All we know what happened during inquisition in the Middle Ages," he said. "It was a shame for France to revive it. We know how we own our history and make self-criticism. But we don't allow another country to interpret our own history and to dictate this view to us. We are waiting and hope that French Senate will preserve its values. It is a test of modernity and freedom for France and French Senate," he said. Davutoglu said that Turks would continue to be at the center of Europe as they did in their democratic demonstration in Paris two days ago, stating that Turkish people would defend their own values and history in Europe. Several senators and intellectuals in France were against the bill, he said. "We hope that they will voice their views today. We hope that such a mistake will not take place again. If it is passed, such a law will not live in Europe. We will exert great efforts against it till the end. We will exert efforts together with French intellectuals," he said. "We will follow the process. We will hold consultations with Mr. Prime Minister and Mr. President today. But if this is enacted, steps we will take are clear. Some sanctions will be implemented as long as this law is in force. But we hope that French Senate will act with common sense," he said.