Ankara may step up moves against Paris if the French Senate votes this month to ban denial of the Armenian genocide.

Ankara may step up moves against Paris if the French Senate votes this month to ban denial of the Armenian genocide.

A Turkish diplomatic source said “there may be a downgrading of the Turkish diplomatic representation in Paris. It is probable," if the upper house of parliament approves the bill criminalizing denial of the disputed 1915 genocide. 

Ankara froze political and military ties with France when the bill was passed by the National Assembly, and threatened further measures if it continues through the Senate or is approved by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, but embassy officials said Thursday that he will return next Monday in order to monitor the Senate's handling of the bill.

France recognized the Armenian genocide in 2001, but the new bill would punish anyone who denies this with a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 Euros (60,000 dollars).

But Turkey is still very sensitive about the issue, and has accused France of attacking freedom of expression and free historical enquiry.

France is home to an estimated 500,000 citizens of Armenian descent, and President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party has been accused of backing the law in order to pander to a key electoral group ahead of presidential and legislative elections this year.