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Turks in France Indifferent to Draft Law

By ALI IHSAN AYDIN, PARIS

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

zaman.com

The Turkish community living in France is noticeably indifferent to the draft law that would penalize those who deny the alleged Armenian genocide.

If the bill passes during the French parliament Thursday’s session, any of the approximately 450,000 Turks living in France could become potential criminals.

The number of Turkish nationals who become French citizens is already suffering.

The Armenian Diaspora has mobilized to pass the law whereas Turks remain silent when faced with a law that mortgages their future.

France has the biggest Armenian population in Europe with nearly 450,000 Armenians.

Armenians started to immigrate to France in the 1920’s and quickly adapted to the country and obtained important positions in French society.

Armenians, now mostly French citizens, have since organized and created a powerful lobby.

On the other hand, Turks who came to France in the 1970’s lack the same power Armenians possess though they have the same population.

The majority of Turks still live in their “Anatolian” ghettos.

Though they have the right to double citizenship, the estimated number of French citizen Turks is only 80,000.

‘Will Turks face the possibility of prison?’

Turks in France are indifferent to the genocide law, a vital issue for their children who will probably spend the rest of their life in this country.

Ali Gedikoglu, Chairman of the Multicultural Youth Association (COJEP), a non-governmental organization established by Turks in France, says this passivity stems from Turks’ living in isolation from the rest of the society and he adds that Turks do not know how to cope with such situations.

If Turks knew how to use their democratic rights and realized their power, the Armenian Diaspora could be counteracted, Gedikoglu said.

Gedikoglu quoted French politicians as saying, “Armenians follow us wherever we go and ask us about the genocide, even at irrelevant times,” and maintained Turks can only be effective by following suit.

France may have trouble in putting hundred thousands of people in prison, but it is almost certain that it will put obstacles before the tens of thousands of Turkish youths in the country.

Every Turk wishing to obtain a higher position in the bureaucracy, politics, and even business will be asked the question, “Do you recognize the genocide?”

Pointing out they are even asked which mosque they frequent during the citizenship exam, Turks strongly believe the genocide will be among these questions from now on.

Turkish Democrats Union in Europe France chief Ahmet Ogras states the draft law will trigger conflicts between communities. He points to the long term consequences: “Armenians are powerful today, but what will happen as the number of Turkish origin French reaches 450,000 in 20 years time? Will these people try to take revenge for this?”

Ogras points out such attempts carry psychological consequences, and these side effects will be a rude wake up call to Turks in France.

Prof. Kastoryano: Turkish society will be excluded

Professor Riva Kastoryano from the Political Sciences Institute in Paris points out that with the law France will accuse the ancestors of 450,000 Turks, thus alienating Turks in the country. He adds that the results of this could be dangerous for France.

“Will the French Parliament punish the Turkish state with this law?” Kastoryano asks. “Turkey is no colony, it is an independent state. France has no right to discuss Turkey’s history. The parliament should mind its own affairs.”

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