Franck Papazian is a member of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Associations in France. He has just published
The Erdogan Regime.
A threat to France
(Versilio/Robert Laffont, 144 p., €18).
FIGAROVOX.
- Joris Hebrard, RN deputy for Vaucluse, inaugurated last week a mosque of the Franco-Turkish culture association in Pontet, in the suburbs of Avignon.
Should this be seen as a form of clientelism?
Franck
PAPAZIAN.
-
It's either out of conviction or clientelism.
But, whatever the motivation of Joris Hebrard, it is clear that there is a real irresponsibility in favoring the influence of Erdogan's Turkey in France.
I explain in my book how Turkey has infiltrated France for twenty years.
Through his nationalist, educational and religious networks, Erdogan has organized his power of influence.
I do not understand that today an elected official is instrumentalized in this way.
Marine le Pen expressed her disagreement with this elected official.
I am waiting for it to be sanctioned by the authorities of the National Rally.
If it is not, the leadership of this party will have validated this initiative.
In 2020, Emmanuel Macron declared "we cannot have the laws of Turkey on the soil of France and Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, observed "foreign influences, countries which wish to make "soft power" on our territory. We are watching closely what Mr. Erdogan is doing.” How does Turkish soft power translate on our soil?
It is very simple.
Through community schools that are beyond the control of national education.
Through mosques and radical Imams, led by the Milly Gorus, who have been spreading radical Islamist propaganda for many years.
Through associations such as the Federation of Turks of France, showcase of the "Gray Wolves", this terrorist organization, ultra-violent, banned in November 2020 by decree of the Minister of the Interior but whose members continue to meet in France.
This stranglehold on Islam is unacceptable.
And further reinforces the Erdogan threat in France.
If we want the French to be protected from the Erdogan threat, we must close his radical mosques and expel the Imams who preach radical Islamism.
In all elections for twenty years, the Turkish diaspora in France has voted overwhelmingly for Erdogan.
Frank Papazian
Can we go so far as to speak of interference?
These associations, these mosques, these Imams are under the control of Erdogan.
It is the Turkish State which organised, planned and financed all these structures.
I asked that the accounts of these associations and their leaders be seized and controlled so that financial flows can be traced.
It is obvious that Turkey is interfering.
And this, without being worried.
On the cultural level, official Turkish media have recently established themselves in France, such as the Anadolu press agency and TRT radio and television. Do they have any influence on the Turkish diaspora in France?
Erdogan took care of his diaspora.
He funded it.
He organized it.
He had twenty years to work on it.
In all elections for twenty years, the Turkish diaspora in France has voted overwhelmingly for Erdogan.
Much more strongly than in Turkey.
The official Turkish media established in France, one of Erdogan's instruments for establishing his influence.
