[Aleksandar Vojvoda]

This could be deemed a "special" zone with membership in the EU as a test for full Russian integration at a later date.I cannot believe that Europe would pass up all of the advantages of having Russia in their "Fortress Europe".

[1rudeboy]

What the EU really fears is unchecked immigration from the East. The issue is a major stumbling block in all the accession negotiations currently underway, and will not go away in 2004 as the newer members of the EU receive their "probationary" status.

Your idea is right on the mark, but still maybe a decade away . . . .

[norton]

I can very easily believe that the EU, as it seems to be expanding in both territory and willfulness, would stand very firm on this (assinine) debate.

Remember the old saw about power corrupting and remember that today's EU was yesterdays defeated and fading europe.

These twits have built themselves a little empire. Until they step too far over the line, or until they simply implode back into their historic territories and associated animosities, they will grab every advantage to prove to themselves that they are a world power.

It's a lot like children finding themselves unsupervised at recess or finding the keys to daddy's car when the folks are at work....a large rush followed by a crash.

Don't spend too much time looking for rational diplomacy when the diplomats are exercising what they believe to be new found power.