Smash hit

Attend an evening with Andre Agassi

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
December 15, 2004

Turkey will not apologise for Armenian genocide

By Anthony Browne, Brussels Correspondent
TURKEY has reacted angrily to a demand by France that it accept responsibility for a “genocide” against Armenians nearly 80 years ago, which is thought to have influenced the Nazi Holocaust.

Michel Barnier, the French Foreign Minister insisted that Turkey must officially recognise the 1915 genocide before it joins the European Union.

Historians believe that Turkish authorities orchestrated the killing of 1.5 million Armenian Christians, who were indigenous inhabitants of Turkey, in a brutal attempt to make an ethnically pure nation. However, the Turkish Government has always said that only a small number were killed in spontaneous acts of violence.

M Barnier said: “In the course of the accession negotiations, France will ask for a recognition of the tragedy at the outset of the 20th century. When the time comes, Turkey should face up to the requirement of remembrance. The European project itself is founded on reconciliation.”

He said that recognition should not be a precondition for membership talks with Turkey, a step to be decided by EU leaders on Thursday. However, he insisted that Turkey recognise the genocide during the membership talks, which are expected to last ten years: “We have ten years to ask it. the Turks have ten years to think about their response.”

He later referred to it as a genocide, the first time the French Government has used that word, having previously preferred tragedy. Many parliaments in Europe have called on Turkey to recognise the slaughter, which is marked by monuments in many European cities.

However, a Turkish government spokesman said: “There was no such genocide, so there is no question of recognising a genocide that did not happen.”

One Turkish official said: “They are just trying to make us angry. It is their last chance to cause trouble against us.”

Bookmark and Share

Also in World News

Also in News

Comment    

Tony Brenton
 

For all the corridor plotting and text chopping, the best hope is a fudge. After Copenhagen we’ll turn to wackier solutions  

More...
Tony Brenton

India marks Mumbai anniversary

A man waves an Indian flag outside the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the sites of Mumbai terror attacks, on the first anniversary of the attacks in Mumbai

Candles, tears and military might as India remembers the 166 killed in Mumbai

Slide Show

Pictures of the Week

An employee of an money exchange counts U.S. dollar bills in Tokyo November 27, 2009. Japan’s finance minister raised the prospect of a Group of Seven joint statement on currencies to cool the yen’s rally as the dollar tumbled to a 14-year low against the yen on Friday.

A selection of the best pictures from around the world

Slide Show

Philippines massacre

A student holds a bunch of flowers, as prayer offerings for the victims of election-related violence in Maguindanao province, southern Philippines, while shouting anti-government slogans during a protest outside the presidential palace in Manila

Gunmen kill 46 in brutal election-related slaughter

Slide Show

Comment Central

The world’s worst photofits

Is this the world's worst crime photofit?

Sign Up

Bulletins

Free news bulletin direct to your inbox

in depth

Orange jumpsuit

World Agenda

Times experts explain the issues behind the headlines

Paris weblog

President Barack Obama, center, talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right

Sarkozy's envy: Michelle beats Carla

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

accenture

Need to Know:

Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

Winter Sports

Winter Sports:

Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports

lloyds

Mapping Business:

We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?

Shell

The Future of Energy:

Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge

high-speed trains

Europe by Train:

With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train

Dinner party

My Dinner Party:

In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests

More Reports

More reports:

Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more

previous next
The Singapore skyline pictured at night

Business city guides

Overseas contacts and local business information

Business Directory

Business Directory

Search for local businesses & services

Money symbol on computer key

Find an IFA

Find a local independent financial advisor

crossword with Cross fountain pen.

Crossword Club

Sign up today or try one of our free demo crosswords

Generic photo of a job interview.

Free CV Review

Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts

Financial Brochures

A lawyer with gown and wig

Find a Lawyer

Cut your legal costs

Popular Searches on Times Online

2010 movies | books | chess | crosswords | fantasy football | fashion | formula 1 | horoscopes | Michael Jackson | need to know | obituaries | recipes | redundancy calculator | science | sudoku | swine flu | twitter | university guide | wine | wintersun

Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Ferrari F355 F1

1998
£47,955

Virgin Car Insurance

12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09

Apply for car finance?

Check your free Experian credit report before applying


Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
Business Development Executives

to £60K + bonus (OTE £90k)
Lord Search & Selection
Location Flexible

Consulting Roles All Levels

PwC’s Consulting practice helps businesses of all shapes
and sizes work smarter and grow faster.

Commmercial Project Manager

Highly Competitve
Specsavers
Whiteley, near Southampton

Properties

Eager to get on the property ladder?

Find out about shared ownership.

Looking for a Mortgage?

See your free Experian credit report beforehand

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Save up to £740pp on Malaysia Holidays

7nts - Penang £499; Borneo £699; All Inclusive £799 including flights, taxes, accommodation and private transfers


Ski Weekend Specialists since 1986

For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here


Great Travel Insurance

Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com


Fabulous Villas in Barbados

World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club.  Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf

Place your advert now