08.11.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Today, the French Senate voted with 164 “for” and 40 “against” for passing the Resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 1915.
Mediamax was informed from the Armenian National Committee of France that
following a heated four hour debate the French Senate voted for the Resolution. Commenting the adoption, Armenian National Committee of France Chairman Ara Krikorian said, “This is a victory for the French people, the Armenian people and all mankind.” At the time of the vote, over 1,000 Armenians were present at a vigil outside the Senate building. Following Senate passage, the resolution must again be considered by the French Assembly and, upon approval, will go to President Jacques Chirac for signature.
The Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America Aram Hamparian said that the Armenians of America “welcome this historic vote by the French Senate and applaud the French Senate for standing up to the Turkish government’s campaign of threats, lies, and intimidation.”
On May of 1998 the Lower House of France passed the Resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, however, the issue was not put on the agenda of the Senate because of the pressure exerted by the executive powers of the state. –0–
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