| Turkey's role as peacemaker depends on European Union |
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Carolyn Barta Dallas Morning News, 9/4/2006 The Bosphorus Strait runs through Istanbul, separating two continents – Europe and Asia. With its strategic placement, Turkey could be the natural bridge between the East and West. Politically, that won't happen unless the country is admitted to the European Union. Turkey seriously applied in 1991 and negotiations started in 2004 with the expectation it could be admitted in 10 years. Turkish leaders see membership as the route to more respectability among world nations. Westerners give little thought to Turkey, but its influence on other parts of the world could be greater than people think. Turkey is a Muslim country with a democratic government. But it has problems: high unemployment, years of high inflation just now stabilizing, and human rights issues. Kurds, one-fifth of the population and the largest ethnic minority – who live mostly in the poorer southeast – have been denied some civil rights. While Turkey's economy is growing, per capita GNP is less than one-third of the EU average. Turkey needs to modernize crumbling infrastructure and privatize state transportation and energy companies. New high-rise housing already is being developed in suburban Istanbul, to replace urban slums. Nevzat Pakdil, vice president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, told an academic-based interfaith group from Texas recently, "If the EU rejects Turkish integration, it will create the idea that the EU is not open to Muslims." Turkey would be the first Muslim nation admitted. It also would be the second most populous EU nation behind Germany – a fact little recognized by Westerners. Abdullah Kumas, an economics Ph.D. student from Turkey at Southern Methodist University, makes a case for Turkey's membership. Turkey is a growing trading partner; it's becoming an energy route from Central Asia with new pipelines, and it provides the eastern security of Europe against Iran and Russia. Also, the Muslim population is increasing in Europe. But the most important reason, according to Mr. Kumas, is: "It would diffuse tensions between the Western Christian world and the Muslim world." The most persuasive argument, he said, "is to show that the clash of civilizations will not happen." |
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