France, Turkey Trade Accusations of Genocide

Since France took the bold step this week of making it a criminal act to deny that Ottoman Turks committed genocide in Armenia nearly a century ago, Turkey has countered with similar accusations, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan even added a personal touch about French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s own past, the BBC reported Friday.

BBC:

He accused President Nicolas Sarkozy of using the bill to fan hatred of Muslims and Turks for electoral gain.

He said Mr Sarkozy should “ask his father, who served in the French Legion there” about the Algerian “massacre”.

Year in jail

Ankara has already recalled its ambassador to France and frozen political visits and joint military projects over the bill.

And Mr Erdogan has warned he will take further unspecified steps.

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J’accuse: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pictured here in 2008.