October 10, 2006
La France Irrationnel (2)- Plus elections in Belgium, new Danish cartoon row, Pope's speech etc...
BBC also covered the event quoting PM Erdogan: "This is an issue between Turkey and Armenia. It is none of France's business." Though I am not sure whether that is only the business of Turkey and Armenia, thanks to French irrationality, this turns Erdogan way of doing things more legitimate.
In already older news, one can says French irrationality feeds counter irrationalities (!) as an attempt to make Denying Algerian Genocide Will be Crime in Turkey is on its way... There is also work going on as Turkey may hit back at France with Algeria 'genocide' law.
Restoration of Armenian church in Van complete
In other developments, Kenize Mourad, a French writer of Turkish origin who holds dual French and Turkish citizenship and is a descendent of Sultan Murat V, has written a manifesto calling on the French National Assembly to re-address a bill that would make denying the so-called Armenian Genocide a crime. Turkish PM asked France: 'Will you Arrest me if I Reject Armenian Claims?' Turkish Foreign Ministry said 'Armenian bill will inflict irreparable damage to France-Turkey Relations'
"Europe is sending Turkey almost exclusively negative signals," European Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen told German weekly Bild am Sonntag, in the mean time: "We are focusing on the weaknesses of the country, and not encouraging them to change. This is feeding a reluctance to make the reforms we are asking for, which in turn leads Europe to the view that the Turks simply can't manage it," Verheugen added. Patrick Seale Special to Gulf News also warns about The dangers of divorce between Turkey and Europe. In better news; a WB official stated that Turkey ahead of incoming EU members in some fields; while "Turkey is an important country, and its membership will be an asset for the EU, said Finnish Parliament Speaker Paavo Lipponen. Finally, U.S. State Department declared that "We Have Excellent Relations With Turkey"
In another election victory for the far right, A far-right party in Belgium's northern Flanders region has made sweeping gains in local elections, while the country's governing party suffered badly. The event is followed by Di, for more info please have a look at her comments. AFOE is also alert on the issue.
I am really fed up with the cartoon row story but here is one again, not in the same scale for sure though: "The Danish prime minister has denounced the drawing of new cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad by members of an anti-immigration party's youth wing."
And as an image analysis: Fast-breaking Merkel by Huseyin Bagci
Posted to Armenian Question | Commentaries | Islam in Europe | News | Pope/Pope's Speech