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Bitter debate over Turkey's EU bid On eve of talks

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  • Bitter debate over Turkey's EU bid On eve of talks

    October 03, 2005
    http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1003/p06s01-woe u.html

    Bitter debate over Turkey's EU bid
    On eve of talks, the EU remained at odds over opening doors to Turkey.

    By Mark Rice-Oxley


    LONDON - Europeans haven't agonized this much about Turkey since the
    Ottoman Empire was unravelling 100 years ago.

    The geopolitics may have been very different in the age of kaisers and
    sultans, of imperial gambits and gunboat diplomacy. But one central
    question has persisted: What sort of alliance should bind Europe to
    the very different civilization on its eastern doorstep?

    It's a question that is perplexing European Union leaders as they
    reach a critical juncture in deciding whether to throw open their
    doors to Turkish membership. Formal negotiations were scheduled to
    start Monday. But so fierce is the row that there were serious doubts
    at press time Sunday that the talks would start - with Britain urging
    members not to "abandon" Turkey even as Austria proposed a
    watered-down membership.

    That is because EU enlargement is always controversial - and Turkey is
    proving the most controversial of the lot because of its striking
    difference from the European norm in terms of economics, demography,
    culture, religion, and even basic geography.

    The crucial question is whether these differences will enhance or
    undermine the EU. Proponents say incorporating a Muslim-majority
    country for the first time will help the EU reach out to the Islamic
    world, and see Turkey's young, growing population and economy as a
    boon.

    "A populous Turkey anchored in Europe would be a very good model and a
    great symbol to the Middle East, to the Caucasus, and to the Central
    Asian countries and others," says Fadi Hakura, a specialist at the
    London-based Chatham House think tank. "It's become the symbol of the
    merging of European and Western culture and Islam," he says.

    This idea appeals to the Americans as well, and they have thrown their
    weight firmly behind Turkish accession, mindful that it will provide a
    bridgehead to the Islamic world and extend the EU's border up to Iraq
    and Iran in the east.

    But opponents fret that a new member as large and poor as Turkey would
    adulterate European values. Lingering concern persists about the
    incorporation of 10 mostly East European countries last year, which
    some feared would dilute EU prosperity. Many feel that EU enlargement
    has run its course and that further extensions would make it unwieldy.

    "Vienna must not become Istanbul!" has been the rallying cry in
    Austria, a notable antagonist, which up until the last minute was
    holding out for offering Turkey the lesser "partnership" deal instead.

    Such opinions have been gaining currency this year. Two-thirds of
    Europeans oppose Turkish membership, according to a recent EU survey.

    When French and Dutch voters abruptly rejected a new EU constitution
    in the summer, the Turkey question played a big role.

    Since then, several EU heavyweights, from French would-be president
    Nicolas Sarkozy to German would-be chancellor Angela Merkel, have
    voiced grave doubts about Turkish accession.

    An additional problem has been a lingering dispute over Cyprus, which
    Turkey refuses to recognize, but which is now an EU member.

    EU members were also concerned by a recent attempt in Turkey to shut
    down a conference on the 1915 mass killings of Armenians, as well as
    moves to prosecute prominent author Orhan Pamuk over his use of the
    term "genocide" to describe the killings in a foreign newspaper
    interview.

    Turkey itself has been upset by listening to Europeans discuss its
    merits and demerits in public. It is incensed that the Oct. 3 fanfare
    start date, formalized earlier this year, should now be called into
    question.

    The foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, has warned that it may walk away
    from the process if fair play is not upheld.

    That would be disastrous, say Turkophiles, warning of the terrible
    message it would send to the Islamic world.

    Denis Macshane, a British MP and former Europe minister in the British
    government which as the current EU president is spearheading the
    talks, said that if the EU broke its word of honor it would "encourage
    nationalists and those who don't want Turkey to live by European
    norms."

    He adds that for all Turkey's current problems with human rights,
    economic vacillation and security, the long process of getting it
    ready for EU membership will encourage it to raise its game - as it
    did with other EU newcomers.

    "For the first time since Ataturk you have a real momentum for
    modernization, democratization, and economic reform in Turkey," says
    Macshane. "Istanbul is one of the cradles of European cultures and
    civilization. Turkey itself has got one foot in Europe and one foot in
    Asia. The question is do we want it to live under European norms and
    laws or tell it go off and imitate the worst performances of its
    neighbors?"


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    Monitor. All rights reserved.
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