The most underreported story of the month must surely be the announcement by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that he no longer supports the accession of Turkey as a full member of the European Union. His reasoning was very simple and intelligible, and it has huge implications for the Barack Obama "make nice" school of diplomacy. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
Assuming that Hitchens got his facts straight, this does throw a monkey wrench into Turkey's (a) hopes for membership and (b) continued reputation as a moderate, secular state. And that's too bad. But worry about extending Europe into the Middle East? The Middle East is extending into Europe - look at the demographics. Permanent alienation of France?? I doubt it.
Turkey should not become a full member of the EU. Turkey is an Asian (or Middle Eastern) country, not a European country. Aipac and other rightist elements of the Israel lobby push for Turkish membership in the EU in hopes in might clear the way for Israel to become a member. This would destroy the EU.
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