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French Armenians in bid to prevent Chirac from backing Turkey

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

Armenians living in France are set to apply to the country’s Council of State to force President Jacques Chirac to reject opening of membership talks with Turkey, news reports said.

Armenian representatives are preparing to block French support for Turkey at an upcoming summit of European Union leaders because of Ankara’s refusal to recognize an alleged genocide against Armenians at the hands of the late Ottoman Empire in the last century, Anatolia news agency said.

EU leaders will decide in a December 17 summit whether to open long-delayed accession talks with Turkey. Chirac supports opening of entry talks, though he has promised a referendum on Turkish membership following the conclusion of accession negotiations.

Armenians in France argue that Chirac, by supporting Turkey’s membership bid, violates a European Parliament decision in 1987 and a 2001 decision of the French National Assembly to recognize the alleged genocide.

Turkey categorically rejects the charges, saying the killings took place when the Ottoman Empire was trying to quell a civil unrest during the First World War.

Chirac is facing mounting pressure at home for his backing for Turkey, with even his own party rejecting Turkish accession. Citing sources close to the presidential palace, Le Figaro said the president was concerned that his party, UBP, could unite forces with the opposition and create a political crisis to forced him quit his post before his term expires.

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