French President did not know about inclusion of 'genocide' in school books
ISTANBUL
French President, Francois Hollande gives the opening speech of the 20th annual ambassador's conference on August 27, 2012 at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris. . AFP Photo
A
recent decision to include the alleged Armenian genocide in
French history textbooks was made out of the knowledge of French
President François Hollande, daily Hürriyet reported today.
The
president did not give any instruction for the new regulation, Hollande
reportedly told Hürriyet during the 20th Annual Ambassador's Conference in
Paris.
"I
do not know about this effort. It's absolutely out of my knowledge,"
Hollande said. "Changes in the books are prepared by commissions ... The
desicion does not come from me, but I will ask and learn where it comes
from. Then I will inform you."
The study had been conducted by the
French Education Ministry for many years, but diplomacy has never been
involved in the issue, French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili told
Hürriyet, also noting that it did not come as a surprise.
