[SunkenCiv]

The interesting thing about Sarkozy's rejection of Turkish membership in the EU is, it is framed as a rejection of a US position -- and yet, it serves US interests very well that Turkey be denied membership. What will the Turks do instead? Form an economic combine with the Russians? ;') This Sarkozy statement will help him in the French election.

Also, the main reason given for French voters' rejection of the EU constitution was fear that Turkey will be made a member -- and Sarkozy's party (like most of those in France) support ratification.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1787549/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1780836/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767578/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1770355/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1723304/posts

http://www.ejpress.org/article/news/8719

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=44059

[LtdGovt]

The interesting thing about Sarkozy's rejection of Turkish membership in the EU is, it is framed as a rejection of a US position -- and yet, it serves US interests very well that Turkey be denied membership.

I don't claim to be an expert on this issue, but why is the State Dept. pushing Turkish membership? Is it that our public goals are not the same as our private goals?

Anyway, Royal opposes Turkish membership too, so both would be an improvement over Jacques Iraq.