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.