If it bothers you that I am an infidal and reading the muslim media I apologise for aggravating your sensitivities. Perhaps this story may intrigue you:
Turkey Links Position on Iraq With Its European Union Status
By DEXTER FILKINS
nytimes.com
STANBUL, Turkey, Dec. 9 — On the eve of a summit with President Bush, senior leaders of Turkey's ruling party suggested today that the country would have a difficult time persuading the public to play an active role in an American-led war against Iraq if Turkey is rejected later this week for membership in the European Union.
Turkish officials said today that they were counting on President Bush to help persuade European leaders to open negotiations for Turkey's eventual membership in the union, which it has been seeking without success for 15 years. European leaders are scheduled to take up the issue later this week in a summit in Copenhagen. President Bush has said he supports Turkey's candidacy. Without the European Union agreement, which is viewed across Turkey as a historic opportunity, the officials said they would face an uphill battle persuading the Turkish public to actively support a war against Iraq. Turkey, which borders Iraq and has a Muslim majority, is viewed as a potentially crucial ally in the event of an American-led military operation against Iraq. Meeting with Turkish officials last week, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz laid out plans for a northern front against Iraq that involved potential Turkish participation.
Turkish public opinion is running strongly against providing any help for an American invasion of Iraq. Turkish leaders have so far been coy about the the degree of support they would be willing to offer the United States in the event of a war with Iraq, and President Bush is expected to lobby the leader of Turkey's governing party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his country's support when Mr. Erdogan visits the White House on Tuesday.
The Turkish officials said the government's ability to help the United States would not be enhanced by a rejection in Copenhagen.
"In terms of the Turkish people, they will find a link between European attitudes and Turkish involvement in Iraq," said Murat Mercan, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party. "If Europe does bad to us, why cooperate on Iraq? This administration will try to separate those issues, but that is what the Turkish people will try to think."
Mr. Mercan and other Turkish officials said they were counting on President Bush to persuade European leaders to give Turkey a date to begin negotiations to enter the European Union.
"We have very high hopes that Mr. Bush is going to intervene, make several calls, and that it will change the tune in the European capitals," said Mr. Mercan, who is a senior advisor to Mr. Erdogan and to Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. "I have very high hopes on that." |
