PARIS (Noyan Tapan)–In a recent article–the Paris-based Le Monde newspaper criticized French president Jaques Chirac and prime minister Valery Jospin for forgetting to mention the Armenian Genocide at a recent opening of the remembrance center in Oradure–France.
Almost all residents of the Oradure village were killed on June 10–1944 at the hands of the Nazis. The remembrance center at the village serves as a reminder of man’s inhumanity to man.
In inauguration ceremonies–Chirac said that the Oradure incident had become part of a long list of man’s crimes against humanity. The French president went on to list almost 10 such cases and neglected to mention the Armenian Genocide–as part this century’s crimes against humanity.
Le Monde blasted the French leaders for forgetting the Turkish perpetrated Genocide against the Armenia’s–saying the "task of remembering by Chirac and Jospin was limited."
The newspaper pointed out that during his 1995 presidential campaign–Chirac pledged to open an international dialogue in favor of Armenian Genocide recognition. Similarly–Jospin also acknowledged the Armenian Genocide.
The newspaper reminded its readers about the adoption of a resolution by the French National Assembly last year–recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore–Le Monde pointed to the French Senate’s rejection of discussion of the Genocide resolution.
"Turkish diplomatic pressures on this issue have been effective," concluded Le Monde.
