[Fledermaus]

It was more the pressure for France and Germany and the threats they couldn't join the EU!

Talk about worthless ideals.

[Timeout]

It was primarily France. They told Turkey to forget EU membership if they allowed a U.S. staging area. That move was probably the tipping point in U.S./French relations.

Turkey will be allowed back in our good graces...France? Well I'm reminded of the Navy commander whose ship was leaving its U.S. port last December. As they pulled away, he came over the loud speaker and said:

Peace on earth to men of goodwill.

All others, stand by.

I think France will be "standing by" for a long time.

[Ophiucus]

Possibly. Turkey got caught between a rock and hard place and made the worst of two bad choices, from their viewpoint.

Turkey has been an important "friendly" (can't really use "ally") to the US for a long time. Our relationship scared the **** out of the USSR and still makes the Russians nervous - and Syria, Jordan, Iran, et al. That's why Powell is having talks with them. He's not really pandering. Bush made it clear that the US was not happy with them and gave Powell his marching orders. EU or no, we need Turkey for a chance to foster democracies in the Midlle-East.