An Important Friend
I can't think of a more important relationship for US to cultivate than the one with Turkey. Fortunately the new National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley is doing his part. Mr. Hadley is checking in with the Turks before moving on to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of course the US is making predictable noises about opposition to the PKK and our support for Turkey's entry to the EU.
posted by theCardinal @ 9:05 AM
2 Comments:
"But Turkey often prefers to look west to Europe, where it sees its economic and political future. After years of debate, the European Union is to begin talks Oct. 3 to consider Turkish membership. Hadley restated U.S. support for that: "Our vision for Europe is a Europe whole, free and at peace, in which Turkey is a full and valued member.""
Maybe Europe and the U.S. should consider daily air traffic violations of the Greek national territory perpetrated by armed Turkish fighter planes as well as Turkey's attitude towards its non-turkish origin citizens. Is this the idea of "freedom and peace" of a candidate country in a peaceful Union?
The US should continue to pursue good relations with Turkey but not at the expense of our interests. I mentioned the "predictable noises" on the EU because it is quite easy for the US to support Turkish aspirations since we would lose nothing in it.
There are a myriad of issues that need to be discussed between the EU and Turkey before admission is seriously considered. I would hope and imagine that contentious relations with Greece are among the topics discussed.
By the way I posted a piece from the WashTimes today urging Turkish exclusion from the EU.
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