Turkish Incursion Into Iraq

[Joemailman]

Ah, I think I know who you're talking about now.

It says a lot about the strength of your democracy when a series of generals has veto power over your executive branch.

Yeah, pretty sad, isn't it?

The military's goal is to maintain a secular government, and prevent Turkey from becoming an Islamic Republic. So while having the military so involved in government is regrettable, one has to hope that they are successful in maintaining a secular Turkey.

[BallHawk]

I'm sure there are many people like Rain, Tar. However, you can't stereotype a country from one person. I'm sure there is a very nice person in Albania. Does that mean Albania should be admitted into the EU.

Speaking of Albania, there's another case that could get interested. Albania is a predominantly Islamic country.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm sure there are many people like Rain, Tar. However, you can't stereotype a country from one person. I'm sure there is a very nice person in Albania. Does that mean Albania should be admitted into the EU.

Speaking of Albania, there's another case that could get interested. Albania is a predominantly Islamic country.

The Albanians love the President.

[BallHawk]

I'm sure there are many people like Rain, Tar. However, you can't stereotype a country from one person. I'm sure there is a very nice person in Albania. Does that mean Albania should be admitted into the EU.

Speaking of Albania, there's another case that could get interested. Albania is a predominantly Islamic country.

The Albanians love the President.

Who doesn't?

[MJZiggy]

[MJZiggy]

[BallHawk]

This thread will self-destruct in 5, 4, 3........

[Tarlam!]

I'm sure there are many people like Rain, Tar. However, you can't stereotype a country from one person. I'm sure there is a very nice person in Albania. Does that mean Albania

I believe I understand your point.

My point is this: Even though Rain is well off, he is not in a minority when it comes to how nTurkisk people feel.

The "Nappy Heads", a term I first heard from a native of Idaho's wife, who happens to be of Turkish origin, do not represent what the majority feel.

A huge Kurdish minority (also "nappy heads") impact popular vote counts. There is a lot of dark agedness in Turkey.

Nonetheless, I want them in the EU rather than in the Arab League.

[BallHawk]

As a whole, I find it kind of foolish to have a country in the EU when only 3% of that country's landmass lies in Europe. It'd be like, if Russia owned land mass in Canada, making them part of NAFTA. It just doesn't make sense. I don't want to see Turkey in the Arab League either, but Turkey's got a lot of stuff they need to sort out before the can be considered a sensible choice for the EU.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Is the Ukraine technically in Europe?

[BallHawk]

Geographically, it's 100% in Europe.. It's not a member of the EU, though. It's chances weren't high a few years ago, but after the so called "Orange Revolution," Ukraine is hoping to be admitted to the EU in 2017. I'm a skeptic, though. The economy has got a lot of things they need to sort out.

[Tarlam!]

As a whole, I find it kind of foolish to have a country in the EU when only 3% of that country's landmass lies in Europe.

So Iceland, according to your reasoning, is in limbo forever, since it is almost equally divided into the Euro plate and the American plate?

Ethnically, they have as much in common with America as, say, the outer Mongolians...

[Tarlam!]

I don't want to see Turkey in the Arab League either, but Turkey's got a lot of stuff they need to sort out before the can be considered a sensible choice for the EU.

What a great appraisal! You have this observed perfectly IMHO (H= humble).

But, we are faced with choices in life; I wish Poland would F---K off out of the EU with its current regime. Nobody saw it coming, but Poland has a whacko Sibling run executive terrorising the EU today. Who'd have thought? (Well, I would, but I am brilliant!)

If we don't take Turkey, after abusing their NATO status for 40 years and more, the Arab League certainly will. So far, Turkey resists, but how many slaps in their proverbial face should/will they accept, if even Romania/Bulgaria gains admission to the EU??

[Joemailman]

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=51461

Vatican will support Turkey for EU membership, prelate says

Rome, May. 30, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican's Secretary of State has signaled that the Holy See will support Turkey's bid for membership in the European Union.

Speaking to the Italian daily La Stampa, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (bio - news) said that "Turkey has come a long way" toward democracy and respect for human rights. The European community can accept the membership of an overwhelming Islamic society, he said, as long as "fundamental rules of cohabitation" are firmly in place.

Cardinal Bertone made his comments as the world's leading Orthodox prelate, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, pressed the Turkish government to recognize the autonomy of the Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Bartholomew told a group of visiting German lawmakers that he had asked the Turkish government to overturn an existing rule that bars a non-Turk from being elected Patriarch of Constantinople. The Orthodox prelate suggested that Turkey adopt the policies of Egypt and Syria, which grant automatic citizenship to the patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch. The Turkish government has not yet replied to his request, Bartholomew said.

Patriarch Bartholomew has been demanding greater respect for religious freedom in Turkey, and critics of the Turkish bid for EU membership have pointed to the Patriarch's complaints that Christians do not receive equal treatment under Turkish law.

In his conversation with La Stampa, Cardinal Bertone acknowledged that the Turkish government resists recognition of Christianity and Judaism. Turkey, he pointed out, is an officially secular country, in which "secularism is exalted not as mere secularity but as a system of belief." This ideology of militant secularism, he added, would clash with the Christian heritage that dominates European culture. Nonetheless, the cardinal said that honest dialogue could allow for Turkish participation in the European community.

Prior to his election as Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news), then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger expressed serious concerns about the prospect that an Islamic nation would join the European Union. But during his trip to Turkey last November the Pontiff eased his stance, and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told reporters that during a private meeting, the Pontiff had said that he would support Turkey's application for EU membership.

Vatican officials did not confirm that report, but said that the Holy See would "look favorably" on Turkey's membership drive as long as the Ankara government respected the principles of religious freedom and equal justice under law.

The Turkish government is likely to be under a microscope by the rest of Europe to see how the new President conducts himself when the election occurs later this summer. Religious freedom, I suspect, will be a huge issue regarding whether Turkey gets into the EU.

[BallHawk]

There's an interesting article in the current Foreign Affairs issue about Turkey rediscovering the Middle East and becoming more and more of a player. The issue is on newsstands now and you can pick it up, or leaf through it, at any Borders or Barnes and Nobles.

Here's a link to the first 500 words of the article. (Foreign Affairs are pricks to people who don't subscribe to them)

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86408/f-stephen-larrabee/turkey-rediscovers-the-middle-east.html