Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Item from Der Spiegel's "Fishwrap."

The left-leaning Die Tageszeitung writes:

"Nicolas Sarkozy is a sworn enemy of Turkey's EU membership.
Nonetheless, his election victory has not caused much of a stir on the
Bosporus. The Turks have reconciled themselves to the fact that they
will not make any progress in the direction of Europe within the
foreseeable future. The negotiations have effectively been put on
ice."

"The secular demonstrators (will only succeed in reducing the
influence of the military in Turkish politics) through an honest
cooperation with the Europeans. A clear policy is required, even if it
involves Sarkozy and Merkel opting for another form of cooperation
with Turkey other than full membership. That would be something to be
welcomed -- because Europe's previous policy on Turkey has failed."