France: Turks protest so-called 'genocide' monument

By Omer Aydin

EVREUX, France (AA) - In northwestern France on Saturday local Turkish people protested against a so-called "Armenian genocide monument" which opened last month.

The protest -- organized by the Turkish French Culture and Sports Association in the commune of Evreux -- started in front of the Evreux local government office.

“We think history should be left to the historians and decisions about historical events should not be left to politicians,” Remzi Sekerci, the group's head, told Anadolu Agency.

Sekerci said the monument threatens the peaceful environment of Turkish and Armenian citizens living in Evreux.

The monument, reportedly financed by the Normandy Armenian Solidarity Association, opened with a ceremony on April 21, approved by the Evreux Municipal Assembly.

Turkish-French relations have been strained by various official efforts to recognize the so-called “genocide” or even criminalize its denial.

Turkey's position is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 occurred after some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Ankara does not accept the alleged "genocide" but acknowledges there were casualties on both sides during World War I.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.