“Armenia is in the hearts of the French”

Stated Nicolas Sarkozy in Yerevan and just in a few hours after that statement his wife had a baby.

In the honor of the French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit, part of Baghramyan Street has been closed since yesterday and in the morning the part from the President’s residence to the French Square. Students and other Armenian citizens gathered in the square to welcome the French president. The flags of the two countries, flowers and posters, mainly in French, were everywhere. Charles Aznavour’s music was heard in the square. In the morning, at a press conference French president Nicolas Sarkozy answered four questions, one of which about the genocide issue. A journalist of “Les Nouvelles d’Armenie” asked Nicolas Sarkozy to explain more clearly what he had meant by saying in Tsitsernakaberd the day before that France would take more responsibility, if Turkey did not look its history straight in the eye. The French president said that the joint denial was sadder than personal denial, nevertheless the genocide issue should not be denied at the personal level either, “There can be no lasting peace by denying other’s suffering, there can be no lasting peace based on denying the historical facts. If a big country like Turkey had the strength to take this step, then for France it would suffice, because France recognizes the Armenian genocide by the force of law. And if Turkey doesn’t take that step then France will go further and changing its legislature, will stipulate criminal responsibility for denying the Armenian genocide. My answer, I think, is quite clear, but, certainly, from the time perspective, France or any other country are not the one who should deliver Turkey an ultimatum. Besides, it is not the appropriate way to contribute to normalizing relations between neighbors.” Nicolas Sarkozy also mentioned that time was not boundless and quite a long time had passed since 1915 to think, “I don’t point out time limits, because I hope that the Turkish society and leadership will respond adequately. In any case, I think that all this will take place during my presidency.” Nicolas Sarkozy also stated, “Armenia can always rely on France’s friendship and political support.” He said that France gave much importance to the relationship with Armenia. According to the French president, the Caucasus have strategic importance for the global stability and Armenia was between countries responsible for the global security – Russia, Turkey and Iran, “The path adopted by Armenia since its independence, for the last 20 years is very important in the context of the region, which stands out with its great instability.” According to the French president, the progress of the Armenian democracy testifies to the fact that “despite conflicts and wars, the Armenian economic growth is a result of serious efforts, courage and work done by Armenians.” Nicolas Sarkozy gave importance to the steps taken by Serzh Sargsyan to reach peace with Azerbaijan, as well as Turkey’s steps toward a dialogue. According to him, it is unacceptable in the 21st century to have the border between Armenia and Turkey closed. According to Nicolas Sarkozy, the Franco-Armenian relations have deep roots; have roots in the common history of the two peoples. The Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, responding to a journalist’s question whether Azerbaijan used the European projects to finance the arms race, said that the European energy projects should not be a resource for a new war, “We treat the wish of the EU countries to guarantee the energy security and alternative energy resources with respect and understanding and expect close attention to the security of our country and the stability of the region.” Afterwards presidents of Armenia and France unveiled the statue of Jules Bastien-Lepage by Auguste Rodin in the French Square. Nicolas Sarkozy spoke with warmth and did not avoid pronouncing the “genocide” word in Armenian again. The people gathered in the square were welcoming every word with loud applause and assent, waving the Armenian and French tricolors, balloons and hands right and left. Here the French president stated, “I am honored to be here, only a few days after your Independence Day, in the square named in the honor of France, which by itself, expressively testifies to the relations binding our countries. Unveiling the statue of artist Jules Bastien-Lepage by Rodin today, will add the last feature to the face of this square. Armenia is in the hearts of the French in the first place. Our two countries are like each other and they know that quite well. Armenia, as well as France, is rich with its millennia-long history and closely connected to its history. It is also the master of its powerful identity, which has undergone historical challenges.”
P.S. Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife had a boy yesterday and we, “Armenians” decided that Sarkozy should call his son Ararat. For fun.