XPost: soc.culture.russian, soc.culture.french, soc.culture.europe   
   XPost: soc.culture.german   
   From: amajorel@teezer.fr   
      
   On 2004-12-16, Spartacus  wrote:   
      
   > Chirac is saying yes [to Turkey joining the EU] in public, no   
   > in private. He does not want to say no in public because it   
   > will expose French desire to be preeminent force in EU...big   
   > fish in little pond. Also France does not want more Moslems in   
   > Europe.   
      
   I can't read Chirac's mind, but I doubt he's saying what he says   
   in order to look good. Backing Turkey is not a popular view in   
   France, where about two thirds of the population are against it.   
   His position is in fact rather risky politically.   
      
   > You notice he is saying it will take 15 or 20 years just to   
   > decide. He does not want to see Turkey in the EU during his   
   > lifetime.   
      
   Dunno, but long delays between the declaration of intention and   
   the actual entry are normal. Bringing a country to compliance   
   with the EU rules takes time. More so for countries like Turkey   
   where the legal and cultural gap with Europe is wide.   
      
   --   
   André Majorel    
   Todos, todos me miran mal   
   Salvo los ciegos, es natural   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)