Turkey suspends military ties with France

Turkey has suspended military relations with France in a dispute over whether the mass killings of Armenians in the last century amounted to genocide, the land forces commander said.

The move raises tensions with a key member of the European Union at a time when Turkey’s negotiations to become a member of the 25-nation bloc look increasingly troubled, with neither side willing to give way on a dispute over divided Cyprus.

Gen. Ilker Basbug told reporters yesterday that military ties with France were suspended after politicians in France’s lower house of parliament approved a bill in October that would make it a crime to deny that Turks committed genocide against Armenians.

The bill would have to be approved by the French Senate and president to become law.