Posted on 06/30/2004 5:01:27 PM PDT by a_Turk
LET us not forget the fact, dear readers, that it was the Clinton administration that saved the Muslims of Bosnia - the second largest Muslim country in Europe after Albania - from genocide while the rest of Europe watched, just the way Bush Senior watched, without moving a finger.
Now, the younger Bush says he wants to put Turkey into the European Union. The only way Turkey can make sure of its entry into this prestigious bloc, I believe, is with the support of the US. And, George Bush is doing just that.
But, I do not know why France should continue putting a spoke into every American wheel and raise a question mark on every American word. The latest was in Istanbul, where President Chirac took exception to a Bush statement in support of Turkey's planned entry into the European Union. In doing so, he was clearly reflecting the mood of some of his Conservative party colleagues. But the fact remains that he was the only leader attending the Nato summit there who struck a different chord while others, including Germany, spoke in favour of Turkey.
Turkey's geographical location is important. It is where Europe, Asia and the Middle East meet. And a part of Turkey is in Asia and the other part in Europe. And, it is waiting for a few years now for the membership. On its part, Turkey has done its homework for meeting the EU requirements. It went a long way in meeting the standards relating to human rights, freedom of expression and democracy, the issues on which its membership hinges. And, EU leaders are to decide by year-end whether negotiations can start next year for its membership. When things are moving in the right direction, and when Turkey is getting praise from responsible world leaders over its initiatives, I believe it was incumbent on France, and president Chirac, to speak a good word about it rather than saying Bush should not interfere in EU affairs.
Turkey is a nation of 70 million people and it can add its weight to the European Union in a variety of ways. And listen, dear readers, to what Bush said. He noted that including Turkey in the EU would prove that Europe is not the exclusive club of a single religion, and its membership would expose the clash of civilisations as a passing myth of history. "Formally including Turkey in Europe would tear down a barrier that would be as momentous as the fall of the Iron Curtain", he said.
There was symbolism in the venue from where Bush spoke - it was from a locale, where on the one side he could see Asia and on the other Europe. In the background was a bridge that linked the Asian and European halves of Turkey. And he praised Turkey as a bastion of democracy and said it could be a "model for democracy in the Middle East". That, I believe, is the best certificate for Turkey in support of its EU membership claim.
In fact, the European Union itself is happy about the changes that Turkey is effecting in its systems. The military there is no more intervening in civilian affairs, as it used to do for a long time in the past. By way of improving its human rights record, the country has abolished death penalty and taken measures to strengthen minorities' rights. And it is responding positively to EU calls to hasten implementation of economic reforms.
And there was more substance to what Bush spoke. He believes that in a wider context, Turkey's membership would be a "crucial advance in relations between the Muslim world and the West, because you (Turkey) are part of both". The world, dear readers, cannot remain a divided house. Mutual suspicions should give way to friendly cooperation for the common good. This is the age of liberalisation and global economy, and barriers have to fall and more integration must take place in economic, social and cultural lives. Therein lies the strength of humanity as a force to survive the challenges of the times.
And, as Bush noted, accepting Turkey into the regional bloc would be a good sign for the Islamic states both in its neighbourhood and in distant regions. Turkey's new status would encourage other Islamic states towards political reform, as EU membership would help the people of Turkey in many ways. Their living standards will go up. For example, Turks at the moment earn between 3500 to 4000 dollars a year. This, you know dear readers, would go up to 12000 dollars a year. Their earnings would eventually match with that of the rest of Europe. There will be more jobs and better salaries; and businesses will flourish. The benefits will go to the people, and in no small measure.
And we all hear how Bush is determined and is absolutely clear that the people of the Middle East need to have liberty and freedom, the way "we all have", as he put it. And, also what I can understand from the summary of what Bush spoke is that he believes that as long as he is benefiting from any positive thing, there is no question of any barrier, whether it be of religion or race or whatever.
I am glad that Turkey is presenting a good picture of itself to the outside world. It means the politicians who are at the helm there are behaving in a responsible way. The good words that Turkey got from both Bush and Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder should be a morale boost to it and it should carry forward its push for its place in the European bloc with renewed vigour.
ping
BTW..FYI I'm pinging you on another thread..not sure if you read it..the series by Keegan on the Iraqi war..excerpted from his new book..todsay's segemtn is all about Tiurkey and the problem with letting US troops head south from there to Bagdad....
and kindly add me to your ping list...regards..
It's what they live for. It's some sort of nationalistic penis envy.
BTW, I don't believe France is balking against Turkey's entrance to the EU because we're for it (I personally think we're only for it because France is against it--otherwise we wouldn't care either way) but because you're not "civilized" enough for them. I mean, it's all very well to patronize the the brown people as long as they're poor and "oppressed", but s'il vous plait! Don't get uppity and think you're somehow on an equal footing with Les Francaises, in a position to tell France in any way, shape, or form, what to do. As a member of the EU, Turkey will be sitting at the same table. Sure, they are forced to share the table with you in NATO, but the EU is their turf, their playground, their baby. And M. Chirac doesn't appreciate a parvenu like the U.S. sticking up for the Turks.
If Turkey succeeds in hurtling over whatever obstacles the EU is asking her to hurtle over in order to become a member, France will throw up more obstacles, you mark my words.
Uh, the article is from the United Arab Emirates, and is not read in Turkey at all. I found it in a search and decided to post it. I was tickled to read that there are Arabs out there who are not trying to drag us into their morass..
Thanks..any positive article out of the MidEast is good...of course the UAE is special..they've staked their security, their existence, to our continued presennce in their country..the new airbase is still operational...since we're just about out of SA..it's the linchpin of our presence in the region..they gave us what, half the country..the desert..for the base....
catch you later....hpe you enjoy the Keegan article..
A point of clarification on my previous post. My husband (who is almost always right) informs me that it is very much in U.S. interests for Turkey to join the EU. But I still think Bush's recent remarks were carefully chosen and timed to be a smack at Frawnce, nonetheless.
>> who is almost always right
LOL!
Can you guess how many people will actually read this article? It's an important one and I just wonder who and how many will see it. Thanks!
I hope Turkey is accepted into the EU soon. It is a disgrace that this has not been done sooner.
I have great appreciation for the support Turkey has given us throughout the years--especially during the cold war. They were a reliable friend in an area where we really needed one, and provided a place for some very strategic military bases that greatly helped us in the cold war.
I am very glad President Bush is supporting this so strongly.
Arabs in the UAE? That's where the article is from.
I have no clue as to how many potential readers.. But you've read it, and that's plenty for me.
Thanks.
Is is bit of a surprise to see the US, and Bush, spoken well of in the arab press. Its nice, too.
I am happy to see what the President is doing regarding Turkey, too. His goals are based on his principles and I do NOT believe he did this just to annoy Chirac. Have a nice night!
Good post. I wish we could see more articles like this (with optimism about the MidEast) coming out of the mainstream media.
France simply feels increasingly "insecure" in terms of her waning influence !. If Turkey is to be admitted in a few years it would become the member with most say based on her population and as England is already a most staunch US ally France worries being completely outnumbered and pushed aside in the long run.
By the way economic outlook looks great in Turkey as the inflation rate has been reduced down to single-digits and the economy is growing ferociously:
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World Bank: Turkey's Growth is not Artificial
Friday, July 02 2004 @ 07:17 AM Central Daylight Time
The World Bank's Turkey Director, Andrew Vorkink, said yesterday, "Growth in Turkey is not artificial, but healthy" after evaluating the 12.4 percent growth rate in the first quarter of the year.
As Vorkink was leaving the "First Banking Arena" at the Ankara Sheraton Hotel, he spoke to journalists about the growth. The 12.4 percent growth is the result of stability in the economy, Vorkink said, but the banking sector needs to be more active.
When asked if growth creates a threat to consumption, Vorkink said that growth was healthy, and that consumption and production increased. When asked whether the growth was 'hormoned,' so to speak, he said: "the growth is not hormoned. This is a healthy growth, because it is not an imposed growth, but rather the result of economic production actors."
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