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Turkish Parliament to Respond to Armenian Genocide Bill

Iran Materials 17 October 2006 12:26 (UTC +04:00)

(ZAMAN) - As Turkey's protest campaign against France's Armenian genocide denial bill continues, the Turkish Grand National Assembly will convene on Tuesday to condemn France.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will inform members of parliament on the new French bill and its resulting developments, after which MP's will be free to express their views. A statement condemning France for the bill is expected to be unanimously approved.

Turkish Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that reactions against France must be well thought out, adding the parliamentary assembly is due to handle the issue.

Parliament speaker Bulent Arinc commented on the bill, saying it betrayed France's basic values. Arinc assured Turkey's response would be resolute yet moderate.

Turkey's Central bank has an estimated 17 billion New Turkish Liras as part of France's currency reserve. If Turkey withdraws this money from the French Central Bank and private accounts, economists predict that the French economy would suffer a great loss.

The Turkish government, which is preparing to take measures against France, could use the Central Bank as its main trump card.

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