14:34 . 25/04
French presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande took turns in attending the commemoration of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in Paris on Tuesday.
The Socialist candidate was the first to arrive at Canada Square. He reiterated his commitment to pass a law criminalizing denial of the genocide of 1915 assuring “Whatever the pressures may be, I will be consistent in this matter, so that your history isn’t forgotten as it can not be disputed”.
Then, a little while after Holland left, Sarkozy arrived at the square. He expressed satisfaction with the political solidarity in the Armenian issue. Sarkozy, too, pledged to adopt a bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.
“As head of state, I was forced to bow to the decision of the Constitutional Council irrespective of convictions,” the incumbent President said, promising new text, which will be presented in June.
