Comments on So <i>that's</i> what they're after!TypePad2009-10-26T11:02:54ZDavid Bognerhttps://www.treppenwitz.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.treppenwitz.com/2009/10/so-thats-what-theyre-after/comments/atom.xml/Wry Mouth commented on 'So <i>that's</i> what they're after!'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef0120a622a9c0970b2009-10-27T03:19:18Z2009-10-27T03:19:18ZWry Mouthhttp://wrymouth.comTurkey (dressed in pin-striped suit with big shoulders, sunglasses indoors, dark fedora and spats): 'Ullo? EU: Er. Yes? Turkey: 'S...<p><br />
Turkey (dressed in pin-striped suit with big shoulders, sunglasses indoors, dark fedora and spats): 'Ullo?</p>
<p>EU: Er. Yes?</p>
<p>Turkey: 'S nice place y'ave 'ere, guvnor. O-ey; nice indeed! It wuv be a shame iv any'thing were to 'appen to it, ey?</p>
<p>EU: I beg your pardon?</p>
<p>Turkey: You know, guv -- *ack-see-dents*? Ey? Things gone an fall offa the lorries, like?</p>
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I know where I've seen this before -- it was the Pirahna Brothers sketch from Monty Python ;o/</p>Mark commented on 'So <i>that's</i> what they're after!'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef0120a62214b5970b2009-10-26T23:39:28Z2009-10-26T23:39:28ZMarkCarsten - If you're looking for integrity in foreign politics, Europe is the wrong place for you. Um, I don't...<p><i>Carsten - If you're looking for integrity in foreign politics, Europe is the wrong place for you.</i></p>
<p>Um, I don't think integrity in foreign politics can be found <b>anywhere</b>!!! I think national interests and political interests almost always interferes with integrity.<br />
</p>Carsten commented on 'So <i>that's</i> what they're after!'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef0120a620453d970b2009-10-26T15:34:50Z2009-10-26T15:34:50ZCarstenhttp://kaefert.deSome points from a European point of view: 1) Europeans are indeed opposed to a full membership of Turkey because...<p>Some points from a European point of view:<br />
1) Europeans are indeed opposed to a full membership of Turkey because it is a muslim country. Go out on the street - the usual sentiment is "They don't fit in here". That "they" are long living here and fitting in pretty well doesn't seem to bother anyone. Just the same as all good leaders (including Mr Erdogan, I'm sure), European leaders tend to have an ear for the general mood in their citizenry, at least around election time and about such highly publicized issues like a Turkish EU membership. Which goes quite a way to explain why the European leaders would be opposed to such a thing on the basis of Turkey being predominantly muslim.<br />
2) There's debate about the rules and whether they've been applied fairly to Turkey. I wonder how bad the situation there can be if it can't join the EU, but countries such as Romania or Bulgaria can...<br />
On points 3) and 4), however, I'm completely with you.</p>
<p>However, I don't think European leaders are especially bothered with Turkey courting people like Ahmadinejad etc. European leaders are pretty good at turning genocidal madmen, crazed dictators and such into well-regarded business partners. Think of the history of trade between Iran and Europe, even past the revolution. Think of who supplied Iraq with the WMD (plus delivery systems) which Saddam turned on his own Kurdish population. Think of the ongoing support for the violent regime in Azerbaijan. If you're looking for integrity in foreign politics, Europe is the wrong place for you.</p>
<p>Makes the EU and Turkey seem like a match made in heaven, doesn't it?</p>