abuelita42pj on "Turkey and the EU - its about peace after 500 years"

abuelita42pj — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:20:22 +0000

Your explanation of history and the fact that there is no "clash" is very apropo for the times. I just wish you and dozens of others had brought this up to US Congress people and illustrate that though we may dress a little different, our language may be different, our reasons for being on the earth alone or together are both the same and simple. We want to live a good, happy life, have a good family, have a good education and jobs on hand, and live peacefully with everyone else. Politics and power get in our way. I haven't traveled recently for financial reasons but I did in the '60's to nine countries of Europe and to Iran. Since then I remember all the good things that happened to me in countries that were different in their languages and only part of the time different in religion. At the surface things were variable but below that surface was a basic sameness. Yet in the land of Iran I met the most gracious people that helped me out of a difficult situation despite the fact that they couldn't speak my language, they practiced Islam and Zoroastrian--separately-- yet thought nothing of the cost of food, medicine and time needed. I was a guest in their country and was to be treated that way until I had to leave. Though I have travelled in the States--35 of 48 continguous ones since I have never met the graciousness in my natives that I met in Iran. Yet their way of living was basically the same as mine for the same reasons. We have much more in comon with each other than we do in differences. I am sure--from readings I have done ie: Pamuk or Shafak--that Turkey would have many of the same kind of similarities. Their striving for independence, good living and peace--of both mind and body are the backbone of their lives. Best wishes, women of all places, to gain your equality at homes, in your towns and in your countries.

Turkey and the EU - its about peace after 500 years, Anthony Barnett

Anthony Barnett — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:28:02 +0000

I have signed a statement on Turkey and a new vision for Europe supported by a group of us from across Europe. I'd very much like to see Turkish mem-bership of the EU. I'll leave for others the discussion of all the necessary con-ditions which this may need, the changes in Turkey that have to be supported. But there is one aspect which the statement does not raise which I want to emphasise: that Turkey is specifically special to Europe in a profound histori-cal sense.

The statement refers to refusing any “clash of civilisations”. It is indeed possi-ble that the rejection of Turkey could force it towards an alliance not so much with the Muslim world as with Russia and Iran and authoritarianism. Those who think that if we in the EU do not accept Turkey as a member it will con-tinue to hover in a positive way looking westward could be badly mistaken. There is a momentum in all relationships. The fate of most of the ex-Soviet countries and east-central European ones seems to show that if they are not offered the dynamic of entry into the EU then they adopt another dynamic taking an different kind of political and social direction. Thus in refusing Turkey, the prospect is that the EU could create the conditions for a wider “clash”. Read the rest of this post...

open Democracy News Analysis - Turkey and the EU - its about peace after 500 years, Anthony Barnett - Comments

abuelita42pj on "Turkey and the EU - its about peace after 500 years"

Turkey and the EU - its about peace after 500 years, Anthony Barnett